kidslice
10-06-2003, 07:47 PM
Does anyone have the RCA DLP yet? If so, what do you think?
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View Full Version : RCA DLP HDTV... anyone have it yet???
BatManTL
06-23-2004, 11:59 AM
Yes I have a 50" DLP. Great picture and a free tuner that gets me 4 HD channels at no cost. The problem is this is my 3rd set in 3 weeks. :(
BatManTL
11-25-2004, 10:04 PM
Update:
Sets tuner is out. I can't get any channels but it will play my boys Xbox fine. :sobbing: I have had nothing but problems with this set. I hope there is a fix to make it last a few yrs w/o problems. :mad:
Sets tuner is out. I can't get any channels but it will play my boys Xbox fine. :sobbing: I have had nothing but problems with this set. I hope there is a fix to make it last a few yrs w/o problems. :mad:
PythonNF
12-06-2004, 04:01 PM
I've had the RCA HD50LPW162 tv for about a week now and I think it's fantastic. I'm getting about 20 extra digital channels with the built in QAM tuner. The picture quality for SD programming is the best I've seen on any HDTV. It is crystal clear with bright and vivid colors and is far better than on my old 27" JVC tv. I'm waiting for an HD box so I can see what HD content looks like. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best buy for the money when you consider, price, picture quality and featues.
TVAuthority
12-17-2004, 08:28 PM
I've heard good things about the RCA HD50LPW165 & HD61LPW163 from lot of people Ive worked with
Rich215
12-21-2004, 12:32 PM
Ive had mine for about 4 months now. At first a few odd things were happening with the picture quality......not much very little actually. I have the exact same setup as my parents....same local area.
His unit had a slightly clearer picture than mine...so I took advantage of my extended 4 year warranty...(a must have with all these new sets!!!! cant stress that enough....because labor is way too expensive ....just like some of the parts) So a local RCA service center sent out someone to fix it.....they tried but said it needed a new board. The computer board was defective in some way with a wire connection or something. They replaced that and it has been rock solid ever since!
Im more than happy with my purchase. It was worth it!
Wait till you see a good HD broadcast on this set! AMAZING
His unit had a slightly clearer picture than mine...so I took advantage of my extended 4 year warranty...(a must have with all these new sets!!!! cant stress that enough....because labor is way too expensive ....just like some of the parts) So a local RCA service center sent out someone to fix it.....they tried but said it needed a new board. The computer board was defective in some way with a wire connection or something. They replaced that and it has been rock solid ever since!
Im more than happy with my purchase. It was worth it!
Wait till you see a good HD broadcast on this set! AMAZING
Fergs-91
12-27-2004, 09:11 PM
A few questions:
1. I can't even browse to the television section of www.rca.com.. or jump to any of their links from a Google search by model #. This has been true for at least a month. Is this just me or another indication that RCA is severly lacking? Can't find anything by Googling Thompson RCA either. Anyone have manf. sites?
2. Reason I was trying to surf their site was to find current model numbers. What I've found from BB's website (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat31800050029&type=category) is HD50LPW162, HD61THW263 (their high end model) & HD61LPW162. User TVAuthority mentions HD50LPW165 & HD61LPW163. Are those newer/current? Are the last 3 numbers indicative of a newer models than what BB lists, i.e. the higher the number, the newer the model?
3. I've seen the DLP in BB and the picture looks great but I read post after post of problems keeping the things working. If I decide to go with RCA, should I plunk down the coin for the extended warranty?
4. I really just want a reasonably priced 50" DLP with ATSC, HDMI, IEEE, Comp. jacks. IEEE not a must. Any suggestions?
1. I can't even browse to the television section of www.rca.com.. or jump to any of their links from a Google search by model #. This has been true for at least a month. Is this just me or another indication that RCA is severly lacking? Can't find anything by Googling Thompson RCA either. Anyone have manf. sites?
2. Reason I was trying to surf their site was to find current model numbers. What I've found from BB's website (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat31800050029&type=category) is HD50LPW162, HD61THW263 (their high end model) & HD61LPW162. User TVAuthority mentions HD50LPW165 & HD61LPW163. Are those newer/current? Are the last 3 numbers indicative of a newer models than what BB lists, i.e. the higher the number, the newer the model?
3. I've seen the DLP in BB and the picture looks great but I read post after post of problems keeping the things working. If I decide to go with RCA, should I plunk down the coin for the extended warranty?
4. I really just want a reasonably priced 50" DLP with ATSC, HDMI, IEEE, Comp. jacks. IEEE not a must. Any suggestions?
TVAuthority
12-27-2004, 11:04 PM
RCA SCENIUM PROFILES RECEIVES THREE AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Popular Science, Sound & Vision Magazine and Consumer Electronics Association Applaud Innovative Design, Engineering, Outstanding Performance of Industry's First Microdisplay HDTV Capable of Hanging On a Wall
NEW YORK, November 11, 2004 - The ultra-thin RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 DLP™ (Digital Light Processing) HDTV from TCL-Thomson Electronics (TTE) continues to capture recognition for excellence in design and technology based on recent acclaim from two leading magazines and the Consumer Electronics Association. The latest recognition comes from Popular Science magazine which designated the new model one of the country's 100 leading new products, Sound & Vision magazine which bestowed the "Reviewers' Choice" award, and the Consumer Electronics Show's annual Innovations design/engineering competition which selected the 61-inch (diagonal) HDTV as the Best of Innovations in the Digital Display category for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January, 2005.
In the Popular Science competition, the HD61THW263 - the first microdisplay HDTV capable of hanging on a wall - was selected from among thousands of breakthrough products and technologies submitted in 12 categories. The Best of What's New award was presented in ceremonies at New York's Grand Central Station where the winning products were displayed November 9-11.
Sound & Vision magazine, following a thorough electronic testing of picture and sound performance by the magazine's technical staff, presented the HD61THW263 with the "Reviewers Choice" designation, one of only 20 products to receive this prestigious award. Magazine editors will present the award in ceremonies at company offices in Indianapolis on November 18.
Innovations 2005, sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association, selected the RCA Scenium Profiles model as the industry's most innovative television for 2004-2005 and recipient of the Best of Innovations honor. The award was presented last night in New York and this HDTV Set will be prominently displayed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 6-9, 2005.
The Digital Cable Ready RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 (suggested retail price $9,999) is a fully integrated HDTV that was two years in the making. The revolutionary new 61-inch (diagonal) HDTV fulfills the optimum requirements for advanced picture and sound performance yet it is so light (135 pounds) and so thin (6.85 inches deep) that it can be easily mounted on a wall. The TV combines the best technology efforts of both TCL-Thomson and InFocus Corporation, developer of the television's light engine.
"Development of the RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 proved to be one of the most daunting challenges in the experience of our design teams," said Greg Bosler, Executive Vice President, North America Profit Center for TTE. "In seeking a solution for a large screen product thin and light enough to hang on a wall, the engineers literally had to think 'outside the (HDTV) box' in order to change the perception of what previously was believed to be possible in the design of the television's picture delivery system."
The results of the designers' efforts can be clearly seen today at retailers nationwide including Best Buy and ABC Warehouse retail stores. The RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV incorporates a newly developed ultra-thin speaker system, innovative optical, thermal, electrical and styling designs and a new lens projection technology integrated with the InFocus® Engine, a lamp-to-lens solution designed to significantly reduce the projection path, resulting in the 6.85-inch cabinet depth.
The HD61THW263 represents the centerpiece of high-end television products from TTE, a global television enterprise formed by China's TCL Corporation and Thomson. TCL-Thomson Electronics is the world's largest developer and manufacturer of TV products.
In developing a design aesthetic for RCA Scenium Profiles, the design team established a thin surface material that highlights the dramatic, ultra-thin profile of the television. The screen area creates a visual backdrop for the picture and sound, further enhancing the overall theatre effect. A black crystalline screen frame containing the picture is cradled against a silver backdrop, much like a painting on an easel. The result is a dramatic "floating picture" concept that visually suspends the image as a separate element of the cabinet.
The RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV delivers a broad scope of video and audio enhancements and is one of the first DLP HDTVs to include both an Integrated ATSC Tuner-Decoder for over-the-air digital television and Digital Cable Ready circuitry for plug-and-play access to digital cable HDTV programming. Digital Cable Ready simplifies the HDTV experience for consumers, eliminating the need for a set-top HDTV cable box. The Digital Cable Ready technology provides cable-ready high-definition programming with a CableCARD™ security interface without the need for a separate digital cable box. The cable security card is provided by the cable operator and ensures nationwide portability on a compliant digital cable network throughout the United States.
Like all HDTVs that utilize Texas Instruments' DLP technology, the RCA Scenium Profiles model delivers high contrast with rich blacks and dark detail, creating the optimum viewing experience. At the same time, reduced pixelization results in a smoother picture compared to direct-view and rear-projection CRT technologies. DLP technology produces over 16 million colors and over 1,000 shades of gray with twice the contrast of many competing technologies. Nearly a million microscopic mirrors deliver razor sharp images and a seamless picture without convergence issues or burn-in.
Multiple Features, Convenience Options
Among other features and convenience options that distinguish the RCA Scenium Profiles model are:
Hi-Pix™ Picture System combining digital display technology video optimization with updated Tru-Scan Digital Reality signal processing. The proprietary DLP bit sequences optimize the HDTV video for DLP displays. New Tru-Scan Digital Reality digital signal processing algorithms include advanced edge replacement, recursive noise reduction and digital contrast expansion for a sharper, more realistic picture. Tru-Scan Digital Reality also includes horizontal and vertical peaking, auto-flesh and 3-D Y/C frame comb technologies.
HDTV Recording using the new RCA Scenium DVR 2080 (suggested retail price $449) or RCA Scenium DVR 2160 (suggested retail price $549) high-definition video recorders. The new set-top hard-disc recorders include the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward hours of live programming so the viewer will never miss a favorite scene or action from a sports contest.
SRS TruSurroundXT™ surround sound utilizing the RCA Scenium Profiles 60-watt, five-speaker (including subwoofer) system for DVD-quality audio. TruSurround XT includes two proprietary techniques to enhance the performance of the bass response and maintain clarity of dialog and vocals against background noise and sound effects.
NetConnect Ethernet with Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer Web Browser with wireless keyboard, HDMI, DTVLink (1394) and YPrPb connections. Through the Ethernet connection and Ethernet 6.0 browser, the viewer has the capability to watch TV, surf the Internet and display favorite digital photos from a nearby PC.
Popular Science, Sound & Vision Magazine and Consumer Electronics Association Applaud Innovative Design, Engineering, Outstanding Performance of Industry's First Microdisplay HDTV Capable of Hanging On a Wall
NEW YORK, November 11, 2004 - The ultra-thin RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 DLP™ (Digital Light Processing) HDTV from TCL-Thomson Electronics (TTE) continues to capture recognition for excellence in design and technology based on recent acclaim from two leading magazines and the Consumer Electronics Association. The latest recognition comes from Popular Science magazine which designated the new model one of the country's 100 leading new products, Sound & Vision magazine which bestowed the "Reviewers' Choice" award, and the Consumer Electronics Show's annual Innovations design/engineering competition which selected the 61-inch (diagonal) HDTV as the Best of Innovations in the Digital Display category for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January, 2005.
In the Popular Science competition, the HD61THW263 - the first microdisplay HDTV capable of hanging on a wall - was selected from among thousands of breakthrough products and technologies submitted in 12 categories. The Best of What's New award was presented in ceremonies at New York's Grand Central Station where the winning products were displayed November 9-11.
Sound & Vision magazine, following a thorough electronic testing of picture and sound performance by the magazine's technical staff, presented the HD61THW263 with the "Reviewers Choice" designation, one of only 20 products to receive this prestigious award. Magazine editors will present the award in ceremonies at company offices in Indianapolis on November 18.
Innovations 2005, sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association, selected the RCA Scenium Profiles model as the industry's most innovative television for 2004-2005 and recipient of the Best of Innovations honor. The award was presented last night in New York and this HDTV Set will be prominently displayed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 6-9, 2005.
The Digital Cable Ready RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 (suggested retail price $9,999) is a fully integrated HDTV that was two years in the making. The revolutionary new 61-inch (diagonal) HDTV fulfills the optimum requirements for advanced picture and sound performance yet it is so light (135 pounds) and so thin (6.85 inches deep) that it can be easily mounted on a wall. The TV combines the best technology efforts of both TCL-Thomson and InFocus Corporation, developer of the television's light engine.
"Development of the RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 proved to be one of the most daunting challenges in the experience of our design teams," said Greg Bosler, Executive Vice President, North America Profit Center for TTE. "In seeking a solution for a large screen product thin and light enough to hang on a wall, the engineers literally had to think 'outside the (HDTV) box' in order to change the perception of what previously was believed to be possible in the design of the television's picture delivery system."
The results of the designers' efforts can be clearly seen today at retailers nationwide including Best Buy and ABC Warehouse retail stores. The RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV incorporates a newly developed ultra-thin speaker system, innovative optical, thermal, electrical and styling designs and a new lens projection technology integrated with the InFocus® Engine, a lamp-to-lens solution designed to significantly reduce the projection path, resulting in the 6.85-inch cabinet depth.
The HD61THW263 represents the centerpiece of high-end television products from TTE, a global television enterprise formed by China's TCL Corporation and Thomson. TCL-Thomson Electronics is the world's largest developer and manufacturer of TV products.
In developing a design aesthetic for RCA Scenium Profiles, the design team established a thin surface material that highlights the dramatic, ultra-thin profile of the television. The screen area creates a visual backdrop for the picture and sound, further enhancing the overall theatre effect. A black crystalline screen frame containing the picture is cradled against a silver backdrop, much like a painting on an easel. The result is a dramatic "floating picture" concept that visually suspends the image as a separate element of the cabinet.
The RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV delivers a broad scope of video and audio enhancements and is one of the first DLP HDTVs to include both an Integrated ATSC Tuner-Decoder for over-the-air digital television and Digital Cable Ready circuitry for plug-and-play access to digital cable HDTV programming. Digital Cable Ready simplifies the HDTV experience for consumers, eliminating the need for a set-top HDTV cable box. The Digital Cable Ready technology provides cable-ready high-definition programming with a CableCARD™ security interface without the need for a separate digital cable box. The cable security card is provided by the cable operator and ensures nationwide portability on a compliant digital cable network throughout the United States.
Like all HDTVs that utilize Texas Instruments' DLP technology, the RCA Scenium Profiles model delivers high contrast with rich blacks and dark detail, creating the optimum viewing experience. At the same time, reduced pixelization results in a smoother picture compared to direct-view and rear-projection CRT technologies. DLP technology produces over 16 million colors and over 1,000 shades of gray with twice the contrast of many competing technologies. Nearly a million microscopic mirrors deliver razor sharp images and a seamless picture without convergence issues or burn-in.
Multiple Features, Convenience Options
Among other features and convenience options that distinguish the RCA Scenium Profiles model are:
Hi-Pix™ Picture System combining digital display technology video optimization with updated Tru-Scan Digital Reality signal processing. The proprietary DLP bit sequences optimize the HDTV video for DLP displays. New Tru-Scan Digital Reality digital signal processing algorithms include advanced edge replacement, recursive noise reduction and digital contrast expansion for a sharper, more realistic picture. Tru-Scan Digital Reality also includes horizontal and vertical peaking, auto-flesh and 3-D Y/C frame comb technologies.
HDTV Recording using the new RCA Scenium DVR 2080 (suggested retail price $449) or RCA Scenium DVR 2160 (suggested retail price $549) high-definition video recorders. The new set-top hard-disc recorders include the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward hours of live programming so the viewer will never miss a favorite scene or action from a sports contest.
SRS TruSurroundXT™ surround sound utilizing the RCA Scenium Profiles 60-watt, five-speaker (including subwoofer) system for DVD-quality audio. TruSurround XT includes two proprietary techniques to enhance the performance of the bass response and maintain clarity of dialog and vocals against background noise and sound effects.
NetConnect Ethernet with Microsoft Windows CE operating system and Internet Explorer Web Browser with wireless keyboard, HDMI, DTVLink (1394) and YPrPb connections. Through the Ethernet connection and Ethernet 6.0 browser, the viewer has the capability to watch TV, surf the Internet and display favorite digital photos from a nearby PC.
DVdude
01-17-2005, 10:14 AM
RCA introduced a new 61-inch DLP HDTV at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show... model number: RCA HD61LPW175. It has an interesting new "floating" design, as they refer to it. This is because the electronics are housed in a box below the screen, so the screen seems to float above the base.
Other features: Built-in ATSC tuner, digital-cable ready and HDMI input.
People who saw it at CES said that the PQ is excellent.
You can read a short blurb about it here:
http://msn-cnet.com.com/4520-10602_1-5620203-1.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=re_ces&tag=tg_guide
Other features: Built-in ATSC tuner, digital-cable ready and HDMI input.
People who saw it at CES said that the PQ is excellent.
You can read a short blurb about it here:
http://msn-cnet.com.com/4520-10602_1-5620203-1.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=re_ces&tag=tg_guide
Shopper422
03-04-2005, 11:15 PM
My POS HD50LPW42 died tonight (Friday), less than a month after purchase new @ Costco. No 24 hour service # for RCA, have to call Monday.
Shopper422
03-05-2005, 06:51 AM
Tried the stanadard computer / electronic repair- unplugged it for an hour, plugged it back in, good as new (until next time, anyway).
gparris
03-05-2005, 01:05 PM
Is the 70" InFocus (RCA) flat version coming soon, too?
Don Davison
03-18-2005, 08:33 PM
I ordered a RCA HD44LPW165 online from BigBang Electronics and it is a fantastic TV. They delivered it by truck in my garage and within a few minutes I had it hooked up to cable and was watching HDTV with the built in HD tuner. Standard definition tv, VCR and DVD are also good. I looked for several months at LCD and DLP projector models and choose the RCA, with Samsung a close 2nd.
MTRatt
03-23-2005, 10:37 AM
Here's my RCA HD50LPW162/164 experience reposted from another forum:
Just before Christmas, I purchased an HD50LPW162 open box from Best Buy. It had the best picture for the price, and the added discount sold me on it.
I got it home and set it up. Everything looked and sounded great! The one thing I noticed was that when the screen went to black, there was a ~6" diameter spot just left of center screen that was just above black. As the TV neared the end of the 30 return period (no I didn't buy the $400.00 extended warranty), I called in for service.
The technician came out, took the TV apart, and really had no idea what was causing this. When he left, he told me he was going to order a new projector assembly (ostensibly a $1500.00 part), and that it would be delivered to me.
Weeks went by with no part. Meanwhile, the TV developed some other peculiar problems. These included intermittent high pitched distortion on the audio, intermittently having no picture on any of the inputs until power was cycled, and arcing when the projector was starting up, causing the TV to shut down and restart. Luckily, Best Buy's "No Lemon" policy granted me a replacement because my part didn't show up in their 45 day timeframe.
So I return this TV and get a brand new replacement. The replacement is an HD50LPW164, which at the time I did't realize was different from the 162 I previously had. I get the TV home, set it up, and try to get everything back the way it was. For the life of me, I can't get this TV to look good. I adjusted everything I could find but the contrast was horrible, the black level was not black and the artifacts on the screen were hard to ignore.
After a week of this, I decided that I was going to try and get another replacement. Just before I went to Best Buy, I did some research. It turns out that the 162 and 164 are different. The 164 has the HD3 DLP chip in it, while the 162 has the HD2+ DLP chip in it. From what I read, the HD2+ is the newer better chip. If you search for the specs, you can see why. I guess my eyes weren't deceiving me after all!
So I get to the store and tell them what I have found. The manager of the television department said that RCA assured them that the 162 and 164 were interchangeable. In fact, they have Best Buy selling them under the same sku number classified as the HD50LPW162/164. Though they use the exact same chassis, they are very different from a visual quality standpoint.
The problem now is that the 162 models are getting hard to find. I was thinking of switching to another manufacturer but when you see all the TVs side by side in the display area, the 162 still looks the best to me. I just hope that the problems I had with my first one aren't common to all 162 models.
Bottom line: If you are considering the RCA 50" Scenium, make sure you get the HD50LPW162 model.
As an aside, when I went back to Best Buy, there was my previous TV on the "Open Box" shelf! They never asked me what was wrong with it. It has some major problems and will probably come back again if someone should purchase it. The thing that really worries me is the arcing problem it has. Under certain circumstances, it could be a fire hazard. I told a couple of the salesmen about it but they didn't seem to care.
A quick update:
I made the exchange last night and got one of the few remaining new 162s. I got it home, set it up and it looks great! Man what a difference.
So it was dissapointing when we heard that same buzzing (arcing) that we experienced with the original 162. The TV starts up, and just when the light bulb should come on, there is about one second of buzzing and no light. The power LED on the TV then blinks for a few seconds before it goes on solid again and the TV tries to turn on the light bulb again. This happens a random number of times until the light bulb finally goes on and everything works as normal.
It's seems to happen when the TV has been recently used and is still warm.
I will pass this along to RCA cusomer support to see if it is a known problem. If they can't help me then it's back to Best Buy again!
Just before Christmas, I purchased an HD50LPW162 open box from Best Buy. It had the best picture for the price, and the added discount sold me on it.
I got it home and set it up. Everything looked and sounded great! The one thing I noticed was that when the screen went to black, there was a ~6" diameter spot just left of center screen that was just above black. As the TV neared the end of the 30 return period (no I didn't buy the $400.00 extended warranty), I called in for service.
The technician came out, took the TV apart, and really had no idea what was causing this. When he left, he told me he was going to order a new projector assembly (ostensibly a $1500.00 part), and that it would be delivered to me.
Weeks went by with no part. Meanwhile, the TV developed some other peculiar problems. These included intermittent high pitched distortion on the audio, intermittently having no picture on any of the inputs until power was cycled, and arcing when the projector was starting up, causing the TV to shut down and restart. Luckily, Best Buy's "No Lemon" policy granted me a replacement because my part didn't show up in their 45 day timeframe.
So I return this TV and get a brand new replacement. The replacement is an HD50LPW164, which at the time I did't realize was different from the 162 I previously had. I get the TV home, set it up, and try to get everything back the way it was. For the life of me, I can't get this TV to look good. I adjusted everything I could find but the contrast was horrible, the black level was not black and the artifacts on the screen were hard to ignore.
After a week of this, I decided that I was going to try and get another replacement. Just before I went to Best Buy, I did some research. It turns out that the 162 and 164 are different. The 164 has the HD3 DLP chip in it, while the 162 has the HD2+ DLP chip in it. From what I read, the HD2+ is the newer better chip. If you search for the specs, you can see why. I guess my eyes weren't deceiving me after all!
So I get to the store and tell them what I have found. The manager of the television department said that RCA assured them that the 162 and 164 were interchangeable. In fact, they have Best Buy selling them under the same sku number classified as the HD50LPW162/164. Though they use the exact same chassis, they are very different from a visual quality standpoint.
The problem now is that the 162 models are getting hard to find. I was thinking of switching to another manufacturer but when you see all the TVs side by side in the display area, the 162 still looks the best to me. I just hope that the problems I had with my first one aren't common to all 162 models.
Bottom line: If you are considering the RCA 50" Scenium, make sure you get the HD50LPW162 model.
As an aside, when I went back to Best Buy, there was my previous TV on the "Open Box" shelf! They never asked me what was wrong with it. It has some major problems and will probably come back again if someone should purchase it. The thing that really worries me is the arcing problem it has. Under certain circumstances, it could be a fire hazard. I told a couple of the salesmen about it but they didn't seem to care.
A quick update:
I made the exchange last night and got one of the few remaining new 162s. I got it home, set it up and it looks great! Man what a difference.
So it was dissapointing when we heard that same buzzing (arcing) that we experienced with the original 162. The TV starts up, and just when the light bulb should come on, there is about one second of buzzing and no light. The power LED on the TV then blinks for a few seconds before it goes on solid again and the TV tries to turn on the light bulb again. This happens a random number of times until the light bulb finally goes on and everything works as normal.
It's seems to happen when the TV has been recently used and is still warm.
I will pass this along to RCA cusomer support to see if it is a known problem. If they can't help me then it's back to Best Buy again!
MTRatt
03-28-2005, 10:47 AM
FYI, I ended up exchanging again and this time moved to the Toshiba 52HM84.
After one weekend of use, here are my impressions vs. the RCA HD50LPW162/164:
PICURE - Both have an excellent picture with few obvious differences. The Toshiba has the edge on size with 2" more than the RCA. The RCA's artifacts are less obvious whereas many artifacts on the Toshiba take on a checkerboard pattern.
HD - Since the Toshiba 50HM84 does not have an HD tuner I have not been able to check out its performance. The RCA looked incredible when it was tuned to HD programming and I suspect the Toshiba will look the same.
SOUND - I don't use the native sound on the Toshiba and didn't use it on the RCA either so I can only talk about speaker placement and features. The big edge here goes to the RCA. The Toshiba has it's speakers mounted on the side which annoys some but is not a big deal to me. The RCA had it's speakers mounted below and had the very useful option of being able to turn the speakers off and accept the center channel input from a surround sound receiver. Having the Toshiba, I had to go out and purchase a center channel speaker.
INPUTS - So far, the edge goes to the Toshiba. They both have approximately the same input/output configuration. The thing I like about the Toshiba is that its front input is actually on the side so it is easily accessible but not in the way. The RCA input is on the front and if you leave something plugged in there, you have to look at the cable all the time.
REMOTE - Slight edge to the RCA because it is able to control a receiver. Neither of the remotes are very intuitive to operate. I also don't care for the slider switch that Toshiba uses to select components.
MENUS - I liked the menu system on the RCA a bit more because it was easier to navigate. With the the Toshiba I had to (gulp) read the manual to figure out where even some of the basic settings were.
OTHER - I like the Toshiba "Instant On" feature where for a period of time after you turn the TV off, you can turn it back on without the normal delay of warm up. This must be Toshiba's work around for the problem JVC and RCA appear to be having with arcing when trying to start the bulb up when the TV is still warm from a previous shut-off.
I like the Bezel on the RCA better simply because it's black and so is less distracting especially when there are black bars on the screen. Also, the Toshiba uses gray bars for some 4:3 formats for some reason. I would prefer black but there is no setting that I can find to change them.
The method for selecting inputs was better on the RCA. On that set you can set it up so when you select a component, it automatically sets the TV to the corresponding input. I don't believe the Toshiba can do that. To switch inputs on the Toshiba, you push the "Input" button on the remote and have a very short time to select the number of the input you want to use.
CONCLUSION - Feature wise, the RCA comes out on top but unfortunately has some issues that I couldn't live with. So far I am very pleased with the Toshiba. It seems to be solid and looks great! I haven't experienced any of the bugs that I was having with the RCA televisions. I will have to get some sort of HD tuner (am leaning toward adding HD to my existing Dish Network service) to really experience what this set can do. :thumb:
P.S. We watched the Incredibles last night and it looked, well,...incredible!
After one weekend of use, here are my impressions vs. the RCA HD50LPW162/164:
PICURE - Both have an excellent picture with few obvious differences. The Toshiba has the edge on size with 2" more than the RCA. The RCA's artifacts are less obvious whereas many artifacts on the Toshiba take on a checkerboard pattern.
HD - Since the Toshiba 50HM84 does not have an HD tuner I have not been able to check out its performance. The RCA looked incredible when it was tuned to HD programming and I suspect the Toshiba will look the same.
SOUND - I don't use the native sound on the Toshiba and didn't use it on the RCA either so I can only talk about speaker placement and features. The big edge here goes to the RCA. The Toshiba has it's speakers mounted on the side which annoys some but is not a big deal to me. The RCA had it's speakers mounted below and had the very useful option of being able to turn the speakers off and accept the center channel input from a surround sound receiver. Having the Toshiba, I had to go out and purchase a center channel speaker.
INPUTS - So far, the edge goes to the Toshiba. They both have approximately the same input/output configuration. The thing I like about the Toshiba is that its front input is actually on the side so it is easily accessible but not in the way. The RCA input is on the front and if you leave something plugged in there, you have to look at the cable all the time.
REMOTE - Slight edge to the RCA because it is able to control a receiver. Neither of the remotes are very intuitive to operate. I also don't care for the slider switch that Toshiba uses to select components.
MENUS - I liked the menu system on the RCA a bit more because it was easier to navigate. With the the Toshiba I had to (gulp) read the manual to figure out where even some of the basic settings were.
OTHER - I like the Toshiba "Instant On" feature where for a period of time after you turn the TV off, you can turn it back on without the normal delay of warm up. This must be Toshiba's work around for the problem JVC and RCA appear to be having with arcing when trying to start the bulb up when the TV is still warm from a previous shut-off.
I like the Bezel on the RCA better simply because it's black and so is less distracting especially when there are black bars on the screen. Also, the Toshiba uses gray bars for some 4:3 formats for some reason. I would prefer black but there is no setting that I can find to change them.
The method for selecting inputs was better on the RCA. On that set you can set it up so when you select a component, it automatically sets the TV to the corresponding input. I don't believe the Toshiba can do that. To switch inputs on the Toshiba, you push the "Input" button on the remote and have a very short time to select the number of the input you want to use.
CONCLUSION - Feature wise, the RCA comes out on top but unfortunately has some issues that I couldn't live with. So far I am very pleased with the Toshiba. It seems to be solid and looks great! I haven't experienced any of the bugs that I was having with the RCA televisions. I will have to get some sort of HD tuner (am leaning toward adding HD to my existing Dish Network service) to really experience what this set can do. :thumb:
P.S. We watched the Incredibles last night and it looked, well,...incredible!
Shopper422
09-14-2005, 05:38 PM
After 7 months of problems & 1 lamp replacement under warranty (I don't think this was the problem, because the lamp still worked intermittently & the same problem surfaced again), I took it back to Costco & got a full no hassle refund. :)
The issue with this TV was that about 25% of the time when you went to turn it on (after it had been sitting, not within the lamp cool down period), you would get sound & no picture. :mad:
The next problem was switching past HD channels. On my cable system, 30 is VH1, and 30-1 is PBS, 30-2 PBS-HD. It got to the point where it would not be able to go past channel 29 w/o blanking out. The only way to get the picture back was to switch to the antenna input & then manually enter channel 32. :mad:
I'm now looking at a Panny PT-52LCX15 at Costco mainly due to their outstanding service. As I observed in another post, the PT-52LCX65 has the cable card feature and can be bought for less elsewhere, but you can't go wrong buying from Costco.
The issue with this TV was that about 25% of the time when you went to turn it on (after it had been sitting, not within the lamp cool down period), you would get sound & no picture. :mad:
The next problem was switching past HD channels. On my cable system, 30 is VH1, and 30-1 is PBS, 30-2 PBS-HD. It got to the point where it would not be able to go past channel 29 w/o blanking out. The only way to get the picture back was to switch to the antenna input & then manually enter channel 32. :mad:
I'm now looking at a Panny PT-52LCX15 at Costco mainly due to their outstanding service. As I observed in another post, the PT-52LCX65 has the cable card feature and can be bought for less elsewhere, but you can't go wrong buying from Costco.
