A possible example of Chinese backdoor obsolescence

[mijatoca]

I have had a curiosity with most things in life. I follow this site daily for insights I may appreciate. Here's one for you. If you've experienced similar instances, I'd like to hear.
My Chinese surveillance DVR works great for 5 years. Then, everyday, the language resets back to Chinese and I get a big PAL/NTSC ERROR across the middle of the screen.

I'm not a Nube at these things. I can reset everything back to normal, but it keeps insisting on Chinese as my first language and PAL as my video standard.
You might say, well the backup battery is dead. Again, I'm not a Nube. Power failure every day?. Backup battery is fine.

The unit works fine if I don't mind resetting the PAL/ NTSC error every day, but my first response was, Hmm,.... the thing's Fu#kd. Might as well buys another one.

Could be many things. Just asking if this rises to the level of a a pattern with anyone else.

[Dennis Leahy]

Very irritating, planned obsolescence.

Not that it will help your situation, but have you seen "The Lightbulb Conspiracy", about planned obsolescence?

zdh7_PA8GZU

[Maknocktomb]

Planned obsolescence is a major factor in the auto industry to support their dealer networks. Auto dealerships biggest profit center is the service department.

[Olaf]

Perhaps a battery died in the device, that is needed to store the settings.
I have this issue with all of my digital musical instruments every few years.

[CurEus]

I am planning on purchasing another vehicle.....I want a pre 80's ( preferably) "no tech" diesel car....that may be I could fix myself.
Today's vehicles are so entrenched with electronics and software they are just way too susceptible to failure on so many different levels....and BONUS it does not spy and track my conversations and movements.....if I need/want any "toys" I could add them myself......also why I have a 1980's boat....which is also diesel.

No it is not the "best" choice environmentally but I can play into converting them to electric diesel hybrids...or biofuels etc ....MUCH more easily than with my new LandRover which is in the shop twice monthly....( company car, not my choice)

Less parts moving, less to fix or repair.....just finding the right one is a bit of a puzzle for me....

I also find that planned obsolescence is not the only factor at play "upgrading" to latest and greatest tech also plays a role....I still have 4 VCR and lots of VHS and betamax movies.....and no 4K DVD movies. Just am not paying all over again for the 4th time for content I already bought.

[KiwiElf]

I am planning on purchasing another vehicle.....I want a pre 80's ( preferably) "no tech" diesel car....that may be I could fix myself.
Today's vehicles are so entrenched with electronics and software they are just way too susceptible to failure on so many different levels....and BONUS it does not spy and track my conversations and movements.....if I need/want any "toys" I could add them myself......also why I have a 1980's boat....which is also diesel.

No it is not the "best" choice environmentally but I can play into converting them to electric diesel hybrids...or biofuels etc ....MUCH more easily than with my new LandRover which is in the shop twice monthly....( company car, not my choice)

Less parts moving, less to fix or repair.....just finding the right one is a bit of a puzzle for me....

I also find that planned obsolescence is not the only factor at play "upgrading" to latest and greatest tech also plays a role....I still have 4 VCR and lots of VHS and betamax movies.....and no 4K DVD movies. Just am not paying all over again for the 4th time for content I already bought.

VW Beetle or Kombi - the original (engine in the back) - go forever, tons of parts and you can honk them up, (not diesel but they can be adapted to many other different fuels, or electric if you really want to shell out the $$ - it ain't cheap.

And they are going up in value ... HEAPS!). ;)

[Bubu]

Very irritating, planned obsolescence.

Not that it will help your situation, but have you seen "The Lightbulb Conspiracy", about planned obsolescence?

zdh7_PA8GZU

It appears that the west is once again the originator and China the copy cat :}