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We are heading out on the CS soon from LAX. I called the digEplayer reservation number to ask this question but I had a hard time understanding the gal so I thought I'd post here.
I understand that right now digEplayers are complimentary for CS customers in sleepers. Do we rent it ON the train or are we supposed to get it in the station before we board? Thanks!
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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Don't consider this an authoritative answer, but it is my understanding that if you board at Los Angeles, Portland or Seattle you can pick up the player at the station or on the train. If you board elsewhere you can obtain the player on the train.
Yes, the players are complimentary for sleeper passengers on the Starlight this summer. I think you get the player from your car attendant.
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We picked it up in the Metropolitan Lounge in Portland. The salesperson was hanging out there and really marketing it. It was free. Since there is no lounge at Union Station just ask at the digE desk which is opposite the desk you check in at. Have a great trip. By the way, the #11 has been coming in between 9 and 10 pm all week. There is hope!
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I just got off #11 this morning, and I had a long chat with the Railway Media rep in Portland. I also had a long chat with the manager of the company (from Florida) on day one when they first introduced the new Digeplayer XT on the Coast Starlight. I asked a lot of questions, so I hope this information will help.
There are TWO types of Digeplayers. The "XT" model is only available to sleeper passengers on the Coast Starlight. The older version of the Digeplayer is what they are renting out to coach passengers on the Coast Starlight, as well as at all other Railway Media outlets throughout the Amtrak system. The "XT" version is something they are trying for the CS sleeper passengers to see how it works.
The XT player isn't without bugs---and they are well aware of this. The units "freeze", they are VERY slow to turn on, and a whole host of other issues that I won't get into here. Also, these XT units were supposed to get new programming every 30 days, but they ran into snags with this also. For frequent riders like me, it hasn't been worth it to get one because I've seen all of the movies already.
However, there is a plus side to this. They just now (actually, yesterday) began receiving the "new and improved" version of the XT player for the sleeper passengers on the CS. There is new programming, and it seems as if all of the bugs have been fixed. My unit did not freeze or have ANY of the issues in the previous players. When you pick up your unit (either on-board from your sleeper attendant or at the depot at the Railway Media booth), ask them if you have a new XT unit with the NEW programming and software fixes from this week. If you have one that has not been fixed yet, then you can expect to have problems and get very frustrated. They all did the same thing and had the same problems.
Here is a sample of what you can expect to see on your Digeplayer XT:
Movies: The Astronaut Farmer Pirates of the Caribbean The Queen Dreamgirls Rocky Balboa Deja Vu
TV Shows: Grey's Anatomy Two and a Half Men Friends
Music: Jazz Rock Pop Country
Games: Blackjack Poker Solitare
Hope this info was helpful.
HopefulRailUser Member # 4513
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Those appear to be the same movies we had in June. There were quite a few games including my old favorite, Tetris. For two people to watch a movie it would be a bit difficult as the screen needs to be viewed head on. I did amuse myself with a game or two for a while. A young boy in our car kept himself occupied well into the night with it - a good thing for his grandmother except that he didn't go to sleep until later than she desired. I think the kids will love it.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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They have the same movies that you had in June, but they added to what was already there. For example, "The Astronaut Farmer" was just added this week.
I've noticed also that the kids seem to love these things, and they remained glued to the TV screen. We could be going by dramatic waterfalls, beautiful mountain scenery, and things they may have never seen before. They don't care----they've got their TV.
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