I was reading the Herald Sun's Connect section this arvo (the AV tech section), and they had an article on Digital TV DVD recorders. While skimming through the article, it reminded me of how stupid conventions in consumer electronics are. More specifically, model numbers. The 4 DVD recorders reviewed were:
- Panasonic DMR-EX75 DVD recorder
- Pioneer DVR-645H DVD recorder
- Sony RDR-HXD760 DVD recorder
- LG DBRH1979 DVD recorder
What do you see in common with the model numbers? They're all so stupidly long and meaningless. Who the hell can remember one of those, let alone the 3 to 4 alternatives usually available in the market? Go ask your mate about the new TV he just bought with money he's been saving up for the last 3 months and I'll bet he'll have no idea what the model number is. Yet this is the only way people can correctly identify one model from the next, and the only way to ensure you're both talking about the same thing. And for some silly reason they're getting longer and longer.
And it's not just audio-visual equipment; microwaves, kettles, cordless phones, computer parts, laptops, printers, cameras, air conditioners, fridges and more all use similar systems. Why?
What is so great about DIBK2392-FDS4H that makes all electronic companies want to use it? Hell, chances are the better model has just as random a model number that I can't even compare across models in the same brand! Worse if they both look exactly the same! I'll bet there are those out there who have bought things thinking it was one model but it was the other. What am I missing something here?
My best guess is that they're obviously not random but mean something to the manufacturers, and only them. They probably started off as part numbers for internal use, but no one thought to create a consumer friendly model designation so consumers adopted them too and no one's been bothered to change that.
Luckily some companies realise the stupidity of the system and are changing. For example, Motorola's adopted a 4 letter word and short model name, e.g. RAZR V3, or KRZR K1. Nokia's simplifying theirs by using a letter to denote the series, and a small number for the model, e.g. Nokia N73, as opposed to their old 6230i model denotations. O2 designates all their models using words, and add meaningful words to existing names to indicate an improved model, e.g. O2 Xda Atom and O2 Xda Atom Exec. While these are still seemingly meaningless, at least they're memorable.
Panasonic and Sony are trying to change, by adopting Viera and Bravia
respectively for their TV range, but ultimately people still identify
them by their model number, and not something more obvious, like their
screen size.
Apple name their devices with a general name, e.g. MacBook or iPod, then identify them individually using one main differentiator, like processor or storage size. This is one step further - words are much easier to remember than seemingly random number and letters. And using an actual spec as a main differentiator is great, as it not only lets users know how to tell the difference, but what the main difference is.
I think the best model designations are the ones with words, and maybe a number or two to indicate generation or where it sits in the model range. If there are different models within a model range, differentiate them by the main difference, like what Apple does, e.g. iPod Video 30GB, iPod Video 80GB. If there is only one model, just give it a short snappy word. And if it's really necessary to specify on your device the batch, or generation, or other minor details, put that in your serial number. I don't mind that they're cryptic, I don't refer to products using that. And most importantly of all, train all sales reps and make sure all consumer advertising material uses those and those terms only. The difference may seem minimal at first, but I'm willing to bet sales will rise because people can now actually remember what they bought, and are able to promote it to their mates accurately.
Now what was the model number of that digital TV DVD recorder I was looking at...