According to this thread, the Receivers being sold by TigerDirect are refurbished Dells.

Of course, this order page at Tiger shows an image of the SonicBlue/Rio version. Also note the closeup picture from Tiger's site, which I've attached to this message.

So I called Tiger's 800 number and actually spoke to a real person (!). I asked him specifically "are these units SonicBlue or refurbished Dells?" He said "SonicBlue," in a tone that suggested he thought I was an idiot. I mentioned that others had ordered this unit from Tiger, and received refurbished Dells. I asked him again, pointedly, "are these refurbished Dells?" He said, while seeming to recheck Tiger's own web page displaying the product, "they are SONIC BLUES!", while raising his voice at me.

He didn't sound very believable to me. I think he just looked at the SonicBlue logo on his own ordering page, and chose to believe. He certainly didn't run off somewhere to confirm the answer to my question. He just answered immediately.

(I also asked him if the HPNA card is included; he said it is not. The order page is contradictory on this point.)

So does anyone know for sure what they're selling? Perhaps they have a mix of Rio and Dell?

I would not be disappointed to receive a refurb Dell at their current price. I do agree with the previous poster, however, that it's a bit misleading to show the SonicBlue pictures, not mention that the units are refurbished, and then in fact ship refurb'd Dells.

So which is it?

The unit I received is a rebranded Dell, black and silver case with Sonic Blue sticker over the top of the Dell logo on the unit and the remote. And yes, contrary to whats on the website listing, I did not receive the HomePNA adapter for the computer either. That said, the unit works great with the ARM 1.04 installed (provided), and the current price is great.

How was the physical condition of the unit?

I wonder what they had to do to "refurbish" it (other than updating the Flash ROM).

I've received a few from Tiger. All were Dell rebadges. They all look great. No scratches or anything.

I have bought one from Tiger Direct, and several on Ebay all Dell rebranded. All were in great condition and work great!

Thanks for the responses. My pair of units are on the way!

I bought one a few weeks back and mine is a grey/black unit with a Sonic Blue label. It came with 1.04 SW and during the boot sequence you can see DELL on the screen.

It did NOT come with a HPNA adapter.

The unit and the remote basically look brand new.

So mine arrived. They are exactly as you described. Black/silver Dell unit with a Rio sticker plastered over the Dell icon. Both are in great shape physically. I have yet to fire them up, but hope to get started on that tonight. No HPNA card was included, as you note.

I called the Tiger people and spoke to an actual person before ordering. I asked two pointed questions, one of which was answered correctly, and the other wasn't.

(1) Does the unit include an HPNA card? "No," they said, and they were right.

(2a) Is the unit a refurbished, re-branded Dell, or an actual Rio? "It's a Rio," they said. I think they were simply looking at the same web ordering page I was. They were, of course, WRONG.

(2b) I insisted, and repeated my 2nd question. "Some folks on the web say this is a refurb/rebrand Dell unit. Is it Rio or Dell?" They answered "IT IS A RIO!" Wrong.

Doesn't matter much to me that this is a Dell. HW/SW is equivalent. I just wish Tiger would get their story straight.

They don't know the intricacies of the history of the Receiver. They're just selling a widget. Their widget says ``Rio'' on it and at no point ever says ``Dell''. What conclusion do you expect them to come to?

I at least expect the picture on their website...


www.tigerdirect.com/images/SKUimages/large/M975-1036r.jpg



...to match the unit I received:


www.mock.com/receiver/server/receiver2.jpg



Which they don't.

Ho hum. My units work fine, and I'm happy.