Originally posted by ShawnB
My first pictures were without the flash, but I couldn't hold the camera steady enough. I'll have to see if I have a tripod lying around. Thanks!

You can use a chair. Take a chair (like a dining room or kitchen chair) and brace the camera on the top of the back. This should give you a steady enough picture. Or if your camera has a timer function (5 or 10 sec count down) you can put the camera on the top of the back of your couch, aim it, press the button and let go.

Sweeeeet

The overall ranking (10th out of 10) seems to stem mostly from the fact that they couldn't calibrate thratings for Build Quality, Valuee set. Its , Features, and Ergonomics exceeded the ratings for the other DLP sets. The Samsung rated only 1 point higher in performance as well.

Is the consensus still that this TV cannot be professionally calibrated? Has anybody found the service menu to adjust gray scale and color temp?

I am not at all unhappy with my purchase at all despite this review.



-ShawnB

PS thanks for the tip for photography... I will try to take some pictures again.

While I was waiting for my replacement 61" RCA DLP from BB, I went to CC to pick up the 61" Sammy just to tie me over while I wait for Thomson and BB to figure out the details.

I had the Sammy for about 2 weeks when my RCA finally came. Before returning the Sammy, I decided to do my own impromptu shootout between the two. After testing it with SD, HD and DVD's, I still think the RCA has a better picture.

Factor in the price that I got the RCA for, NO CONTEST!!!!

I finally got my HD box from the cable company lastnight. WOW i didnt think it was gonna look that clear. They only have 2 HD channels right now, and one is Bravo and the second is ShowtimeHD. Why in the world would anyone do Bravo in HD. I forwarded 2 days in advance and nothing was playing but the orchestra. So i watched the orchestra last night amazed at how clear the picture was. It was so clear that I could see the hairs on the head of the director separate as he bounced around. I wonder why ShowtimeHD is not as clear? Anyway its good but I really cant tell the difference between my ShowtimeHD and the regular showtimes i have. They all look like dvd quality so im not complaining. Just about all of my premium channels look dvd quality but my lower numbered channels still look like garbage. Are those local channels different or something? Oh i dont think that graininess i sometimes see is from the tv after seeing the orchestra. No grain could be found even when i put my nose on the screen. Maybe the tv just amplifies a bad signal to make it look worse or somthing. Cant wait to see more stuff in hidef. Good to see someone else with have the opportunity of the in home experience of the Samsung share the same experience. DLP makes you sure you did the right thing after having the competition in your home.

Hurry Shawn ive been waiting for those pics checking a few times a day.

Tomorrow evening for sure. I have to get the camera back first...

Both Circuit City and Best Buy are currently giving you a $300 gift card with the purchase of any TV over $2999. This makes the RCA DLP a bit more attractive.

I wonder if i can get that as i bought this tv less than 30 days ago. Thanks for the info im gonna give em a call.

Just hooked up my Scenium to a HTPC over DVI. As I suspected, I couldn't get 720p lines of resolution. 960x540p did work however as well as 1920x1080i (was way too small though) using Powerstrip.

Mini- Please tell me what box you have and the cable company. I am still having problems with Comcast and the SA 3250HD box. My VOOM comes Tuesday.

Do you have the DVI port enabled or are you running component out of the box? If the box has an RF cable out, try running that to a different input and see if your lower (analog) stations look better.

I took some pics of my set today and tried to post them, but my account at Ofoto has expired. I'll have them on the net by tomorrow morning.

Glad to hear you finally saw the HD picture quality. P.S. you'll notice some of the HD content is better than others, that's probably what's happening with Showtime.

Kito I have a Motorola HD box and im running components out to the tv at 1080i. The dvi port works and at first i had both the component and dvi hooked up at the same time. I watched movies and switched back continuously during movies and didnt see a difference in quality. I couldnt tell the difference between dvi and component so i kept the cable box on component and plugged my dvi back up to my Sammy 931 dvd player. I wish i had one more component input on the tv for my xbox. I have another dvd player hooked up to the other component to play my svcd's. I guess ill just have to unhook it everytime i play xbox.

ShawnB cant wait to see your results from the HTPC. If youre successful that will be my next purchase.

HTPC pics are in my gallery. They're poor quality (as usual); I'm not much of a photographer :)

what's an SVCD?

Super video CD. Its a way to put a movie on a regular cd not a dvd and it will play in a dvd player if the dvd player supports the format.

thanks.

thanks. what's a SACD? Super audio CD?

Originally posted by ShawnB
Just hooked up my Scenium to a HTPC over DVI. As I suspected, I couldn't get 720p lines of resolution. 960x540p did work however as well as 1920x1080i (was way too small though) using Powerstrip.

ShawnB,

I am trying to go the HTPC route and I was wondering if you can help me with it. How do you set up the 960 x 540p resolution using Powerstrip? Also interested in doing 1920 x 1080i. What video card are you using?

Thanks

dlpfan,

I can certainly help with specifics with your HTPC, Powerstrip and the RCA Scenium, but take my advice and read the following two threads first.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/powerstrip.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=206854

The Powerstrip timings for 960x540 that I used are

960x540p=960,98,48,142,540,7,1,15,42120,272

Copy this line and paste it into Powerstrip on the "Advanced Timing Options->Custom Resolutions" page (just hit the paste button and the timings will be put into the correct place). Click the "add" and it will either ask you to test the resolution or ask you to reboot first. Once the resolution has been added, you will have to adjust the position of the screen on the Advanced Timings page. Make sure you lock the refresh rate before changing the horizontal or vertical position.

This is the part that requires the most patience. Follow the guide from the links above to help with any powerstrip issues you run into.

The HTPC I used is a PIII 800Mhz with an ATI AIW 8500DV 64MB connected via DVI.

Is it possible to have a dead pixel on a dlp? I noticed a small black dot on my 61inch last night and its there no matter what happens. I went closer to the screen and thought it was something on the screen so i tried to clean it, and realized it was not on the surface of the screen. Looking at it closely its one of the very small squares that make up the screen. The whole square is black. I never really noticed that there are all these very small squares until i was looking at this black dot i noticed. Are these small squares the pixels? It seems like millions of them. If they are the pixels, is it normal for one to go black. Is there a way to fix it? and Is it something that RCA will do anything about as it seems like a lot to ask in fixing such a small dot. Im glad the dot is not in the middle of the screen it would probably be irritating, but is this something is repairable or would it cause for the tv to be replaced. Please someone shed some light on this for me.

Yes, that is a stuck pixel. You have 1280x720=921600 of them.
Not repairable. Just like with LCDs, there should be some official policy on how many dead pixels is considered a defect. Why don't you call RCA and ask them. And let us know what they say.
I also wonder how the extended warr BB offers handle these?

Originally posted by minime9us
IIf they are the pixels, is it normal for one to go black.

Not as often as LCD RPTV sets.


Is there a way to fix it? and Is it something that RCA will do anything about ...

Samsung changes the light engine when the DLP chip develops a dead mirror (pixel) under the manufacturer's warranty.

Anyone here know where a 50" Scenium is on display in the central Florida area? I've been to Best Buy, and Circuit City, but all they have is the 61".

Nailzer what did you think of the 61inch you saw?

I've seen both the 50" and the 61" and I thought they both looked outstanding. The 61" was at Best Buy sitting where the bright store lights hit the screen and it still put the other big screens in the display to shame. The 50" was in Orlando at a wholesale warehouse that distributed Motorola and RCA electronics and it too had an awesome picture.
Both were playing bright pictures in the program they were showing.
I'd like to see something dark, like The Matrix playing to see how they handle the dark scenes.
I just don't understand why major chains, or RCA dealers in central Florida listed on the RCA site don't have the 50" Scenium considering there's a distribution center close.

not that there's a great deal of difference between the two, but BB will not have the Scenium version of the RCA dlp which is the the HDLP50W151. RCA made a non-Scenium line to be sold in BB. It seems like its model number is the H50DLPW142 or something of that nature. I can't exactly remember the difference between the BB line and the Scenium line.

And Best Buy's RCA DLP is a special order only item. I'm not going to be in a hurry to get a DLP HDTV, no matter what the brand right now. I'll wait until later this year.
I think TV makers should have an end of year sale, like the auto makers do.

Originally posted by tmilam
not that there's a great deal of difference between the two, but BB will not have the Scenium version of the RCA dlp which is the the HDLP50W151. RCA made a non-Scenium line to be sold in BB. It seems like its model number is the H50DLPW142 or something of that nature. I can't exactly remember the difference between the BB line and the Scenium line.
The main difference is the scenium has a more reflective screen. Still great PQ but shows a ton of glare. The non-scenium cuts down on the glare quite a bit.

I just bought the 50" RCA DLP model Circuit City sells (it ends in 42) yesterday, before their 10% off sale ended. I went in the store with the intent of buying the Panasonic 50LC13, but since I had last been in the store they had received their first 50" RCA sets. In terms of picture sharpness, both the Panasonic and a Hitachi 50" LCD looked someone had applied a slight blur filter over the picture compared to the RCA. The RCA also showed more detail in dark areas than either of the LCD's--no surprise there. I also compared the RCA to a Samsung DLP. The color balance of the RCA was much more to my liking than the Samsung. There was a bit more video noise in the RCA, but I only saw this when I was right up to the screen. The salesman said RCA was sending out a software (firmware?) fix for the noise problem. He didn't have any additional details.

On an HD feed from an HD camera, I thought the RCA had about the best looking picture in the whole store, with the possible exception of some of the HD plasmas that cost 3X as much. RCA also gives you a built in HD tuner and more connection choices than I'm likely to ever use.

Exploring on RCA's web site, I found they make a stand to match the design of their DLP's. CC couldn't even order it, so I've ordered one on line. I found a couple of stands at CC that would hold the set, but they just didn't look quite right. I think it was because their color of chome didn't match the RCA's.

The salesman's computer told him CC had about 600 of the 50" model in their Midwest warehouse, so they must be thinking they will sell well.

MIKE

Originally posted by ShawnB
dlpfan,

I can certainly help with specifics with your HTPC, Powerstrip and the RCA Scenium, but take my advice and read the following two threads first.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/powerstrip.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=206854

The Powerstrip timings for 960x540 that I used are

960x540p=960,98,48,142,540,7,1,15,42120,272

Copy this line and paste it into Powerstrip on the "Advanced Timing Options->Custom Resolutions" page (just hit the paste button and the timings will be put into the correct place). Click the "add" and it will either ask you to test the resolution or ask you to reboot first. Once the resolution has been added, you will have to adjust the position of the screen on the Advanced Timings page. Make sure you lock the refresh rate before changing the horizontal or vertical position.

This is the part that requires the most patience. Follow the guide from the links above to help with any powerstrip issues you run into.

The HTPC I used is a PIII 800Mhz with an ATI AIW 8500DV 64MB connected via DVI.


Thanks for the info ShawnB,

I got the same resolution as you but can't get the PQ that I am getting thru my Philips Q50. I have a P4 2.8 HT w/AIW 9800 Pro.

Oh well, the quest for video nirvana continues.................

I just looked over the on-line PDF owner's manual for the 50" RCA I hope to have later this week and have a couple of questions for owners of RCA DLP's or those with more knowledge of the sets than I have.

Nothing in the owner's manual mentioned how long the lamp is expected to last. One source on the web had the price of a new lamp at about $435, which seems pretty pricey.

Can I use the firewire out jacks to record HD to a JVC digital video recorder, including 5.1 sound? It seems that might be possible from what the manual said, but there maybe a "gotcha" that I'm not seeing because I'm not familiar with this particular technology.

Thanks for any help.

MIKE

Quoted from mraub "The salesman said RCA was sending out a software (firmware?) fix for the noise problem. He didn't have any additional details."

Can you somehow get the salesman to confirm this or ask where he got his info?

I'll try to track down the salesman who told me this when I pick up the set later this week. I'll post here if I get any hard information. I did notice RCA had a firmware update for some of their CRT RP's posted on their site, so maybe if a fix does exist they will release it publicly.

MIKE

An interesting thread on RCA DLP owners experiences.

http://www.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/5848.html

My 50" RCA DLP should be in today. I am concerned about reliability, but hope many of the problems reported are teething pains from new technology. Samsung and Sony owners also seem to have gripes about reliability, so it's hard to figure out if RCA has more of a problem or that all these new digital TV's have some bugs that need to be worked out. Also, owners with problems are more apt to post complaints than satisfied owners are to post compliments.

By my eyes, the RCA DLP had the best picture of any 50" set on display at Circuit City.

MIKE

"By my eyes, the RCA DLP had the best picture of any 50" set on display at Circuit City."

That's all that counts.

I've given up on the RCA Scenium. In the area I'm at it can't be found and I'd be afraid, not of reliability since I have a generic 31" RCA that's been perfect for over 2 years, but that I'd never find anyone in this area that could service it if it needed servicing. I can find Samsung in most major store chains here, so I'm waiting for the later year model Samsung to arrive.

I've given up on the RCA Scenium. In the area I'm at it can't be found

Circuit City has had the 60" non-Scenium on display for a while and most stores are now getting the 50" in. As I understand it, the only differences between the CC model and the Scenium model is some minor cabinet cosmetics, different speakers and a matte finish screen on the CC models, which I consider an advantage.

I watched some of the NCAA tourney games in HD last night on my new 50" RCA. I have never seen a picture that good from any display device. You could see the individual planks making up the court and when the camera focused on a player shooting a free throw you could see the individual stars on the little American flag patch a lot of teams wear. Simply amazing.

MIKE

Originally posted by mraub
I am concerned about reliability, but hope many of the problems reported are teething pains from new technology.
MIKE
For me "reliability" is more than which company has the most repair problems. It's what the company does about those problems that I worry about. I know that Samsung has been aggressively fixing every problem that they identify. They have also been replacing sets if they can't get good repair work done in a timely fashion.

This is an area where RCA hasn't performed well in the past. I have no idea how well they are doing with the DLP sets. I haven't read about a RCA owner getting a new light engine or set because of a dead mirror (a TI problem) but maybe they are that proactive.

mraub,

You said:

"I watched some of the NCAA tourney games in HD last night on my new 50" RCA."

I didn't think any of the NCAA games were going to be in HD on CBS until the Final Four or maybe the series before that. I haven't seen any yet on HD through tonight. Am I missing something? Has anyone else seen any HD NCAA games in their area yet? The digital broadcast is better than analog, but it's not nearly HD.

Both SD an HD are available in the San Francisco area.

Some of the first two rounds are in HD. All the games from Kemper Arena. Kansas City I think. They looked mighty good too.

Originally posted by mraub
Circuit City has had the 60" non-Scenium on display for a while and most stores are now getting the 50" in. As I understand it, the only differences between the CC model and the Scenium model is some minor cabinet cosmetics, different speakers and a matte finish screen on the CC models, which I consider an advantage.
MIKE

The local Best Buy and Circuit City make sure you know the RCA DLP is a special order item only. I didn't ask if the warranty was the same as their other DLP or rear projection units. Being special order I didn't think it would be.

All the KC games are HD. Next week, all the regional games from St. Louis will be in HD. Then on to San Antonio. I thought the CBS-HD broadcasts looked a bit better than ESPN's HD basketball.

MIKE

From a new article on TI DLP technology. It looks like the DLP market is ready to greatly increase.

"Last year, DLP generated $340 million in revenue for the company ? not life-changing at a $10 billion giant like TI. But as HDTV programming expands and more HDTVs are introduced at lower prices, it's a market that promises exponential growth.

By some estimates, as many as 1 million DLP televisions could be sold this year, triple the sales last year and amounting to as much as 20 percent of all HDTV sales. TI, which makes the DLP chip in Dallas, is doubling its DLP production capacity this year, the company said.

"People who are into DLP are really into it," said Ed Wolff, vice president of the display group at Panasonic, which launched the first DLP television in 2000.

"I'm continually impressed with the picture quality. It's incredible," said Wolff, whose company also markets televisions using competing technologies such as plasma and liquid crystal display, or LCD."

Well, I'm doing my bit for TI. I addition to the RCA DLP I also own a NEC HT-1000 DLP front projector. When DLP was first introduced, my initial reaction was that it won't work, or if it does, it won't work for long. I guess I was wrong.

I did some fooling with the extensive picture adjustment controls on the RCA this weekend. I managed to dramatically lower the graininess I saw on some SD feeds by reducing sharpness and turning off edge enhancement. Based on published review, I changed the color bias to the warm setting, which supposedly is very close to the accepted color standard. With these changes the SD video is much better; HD remains jaw droppingly sharp.

MIKE

Tonight (3/25/2004) on QVC RCA will demo the DLP:

http://db.widescreenreview.com/weeknews/FMPro?-db=webnewsearch.fp5&-format=record%5fdetail.htm&-sortfield=rank&-op=cn&Type=Web%20News&Year=2004&Month=03&Day=24&-recid=41292&-find=

Thomson Marks Color Television's 50th Anniversary With New 50-Inch Microdisplay High-Definition TV

Fifty years ago this week, RCA introduced America to the wonders of full-color home entertainment with the CT-100, a 15-inch (diagonal) direct-view color TV that cost as much as an automobile but offered unbelievably rich color images to the first generation of color TV customers. In recognition of this historic event, Thomson announced the retail availability of a new 50-inch RCA rear-projection HDTV featuring Texas Instruments' breakthrough DLP microdisplay technology, the latest in a long line of innovations under the RCA banner.

Both the old and the new take the spotlight during a special QVC national telecast this Thursday ( 3/25) night that will tell the RCA all-electronic color TV story with live images of both the CT-100 - still displaying pristine color images after all these years - and the fully integrated RCA HD50LPW42 HDTV Set. During the same era as the first color TV sale, RCA sold its first color television studio camera, an event that set the stage for Thomson's current Video Network Solutions business that now offers video and film technologies, products and services to all major Hollywood studios as well as major television, satellite, and cable broadcasters under the Technicolor and Grass Valley brand names. Today, Thomson is the high-definition television industry's leading supplier of HDTV production gear for remote broadcasts such as sporting events and awards shows.

“Over the past 50 years, the impact of color television on the global community has been immeasurable,” said Michael D. O'Hara, Executive Vice President of Thomson's Consumer Solutions Business. Back in the 1950s and early 1960s the primary source of consumer entertainment was movies in the theatre or black-and-white TV at home. “Today, the choices are almost overwhelming, and most of them are linked to color TV development -DVD players, digital cable and digital satellite television, video games and more. The introduction of the RCA HD50LPW42 HDTV this week is a fitting tribute to the legacy of leadership and innovation established by our predecessors with the development of the CT-100.”

A side-by-side comparison of the two RCA color TV models is a study in contrast and a barometer of the inroads made in television design technology since 1954. The CT100's tiny 15-inch screen -- shaped like a goldfish bowl -- is dwarfed by the large, bulky wooden cabinet that accounts for much of its 164-pound weight. By comparison, the HD50LPW42's giant 50-inch widescreen viewing area dominates the slender cabinet that measures only 16 inches deep and weighs less than 100 pounds. The Thursday night QVC broadcast will feature a historical perspective of RCA's achievements in color TV while focusing the main part of the program on electronic sales of 10 leading-edge RCA color TVs including the HD50LPW42. The range of products includes DLP, LCD and CRT display technologies along with direct-view and combination TV/DVD models from Thomson's RCA brand.

Continuing the 50-year RCA tradition of excellence in color TV, the HD50LPW42 ($3,799) promises to set new standards for HDTV video performance, incorporating state-of-the-art microdisplay light engine design from InFocus Corporation, a worldwide leader in digital projection technology. The InFocus light engine is designed to Thomson specifications and incorporates Texas Instruments’ second-generation Mustang/HD-2 DLP chip for improved brightness and contrast. The HD50LPW42 is also available nationally at Best Buy retail stores.

The new RCA HDTV Set embraces widescreen display panorama and boasts the industry's most advanced performance technologies integrated in a user-friendly design. Some of these features include Thomson's exclusive Hi-Pix High-Definition Picture System for integrated HDTV Sets to provide high-definition enthusiasts with the best possible picture. Additional features are an anti-reflective protective shield, a built-in ATSC tuner/decoder, 720p high-definition display, NetConnect broadband connectivity for networking and Internet browsing, QAM modulation that enables the TV to receive local broadcasts over digital cable channels, and secure digital interfaces that assure optimum display capability of uncompressed digital video images as well as convenient recording of HDTV programming. The light weight and slender cabinet design make the HDLP50W151 the ideal model for consumers seeking giant-screen picture performance in a compact package.

Thomson's entire range of RCA HDTV Sets and HDTV Monitors include industry-standard secure digital DVI-HDTV interfaces with HDCP copy protection for display of uncompressed, pristine high-definition video signals. Additionally, RCA HDTV Sets with the Hi-Pix Picture System feature dual industry-standard DTVLink (IEEE 1394) connections with DTCP copy protection for external components such as next-generation set-top HDTV receivers and high-definition playback sources. All RCA HDTV Sets and Monitors also include SYNCROSCAN HD component video inputs that allow connection of up to two component video sources (such as currently available HDTV set-top receivers and DVD players).

Anyone aware of RCA updating the current 50" DLP to the new HD2+ chip and HDMI connections. I saw the digiupdate with RCA's new "ultra thin" DLP for $8,999.00...To expensive for my blood...

Isn't QVC one of those irritating shopping stations I always delete from the list of channels I surf through? Are they going to be selling the HD50LPW42 over the air?

MIKE

I don't know. But they probably will solicit "testimonials". I would love if someone called in to praise the RCA DLP and then slip in the question why it will not accept 720p input through component or DVI.

Could someone post a screen shot of the RCA's web browser? I've trying to decide whether it's worth effort and cost of wireless hub to my DSL connection and the $50 keyboard. I'm thinking it might be adequate for browsing mainly text based sites like this one.

Thanks,
3MIKE

mraub did you ever get the info on that firmware for the RCA graininess problem?

Originally posted by mraub
Could someone post a screen shot of the RCA's web browser? I've trying to decide whether it's worth effort and cost of wireless hub to my DSL connection and the $50 keyboard. I'm thinking it might be adequate for browsing mainly text based sites like this one.

Check the RCA threads. Someone reported that there was a common condition that caused a hard crash. I don't remember what the condition was but I don't think is was anything unusual. Maybe something like pop-ups.

mraub did you ever get the info on that firmware for the RCA graininess problem

No. I kind of solved it myself by turning down sharpness and turning off edge enhancement. I've been watching quite a bit of basketball in SD and graininess doesn't seem to be a problem now.

MIKE

Just to let anybody who is interested know, The RCA sets will allow recording from the i.Link (firewire) port to a computer hard drive, even though the manual emphatically says only to a device enforcing 5c encryption, which the computer does not.

Originally posted by grittree
Just to let anybody who is interested know, The RCA sets will allow recording from the i.Link (firewire) port to a computer hard drive, even though the manual emphatically says only to a device enforcing 5c encryption, which the computer does not.

When I plug the firewire cable into my computer with XP Pro it asks for driver software which I don't seem to have. Vegas Video and Win Movie maker cannot see the DV device and I have yellow marks by the new devices in Device manager. Could you tell more on how you have it running, I have RCA 50" DLP.

Mike T

Mike, it's not a DV. It's full mpeg2.

For drivers, get core_driver, 1st link. Then replace meitape.inf with the one in the 2nd link. Then get capdvhs, 3rd link, for capturing.


http://www.ntut.edu.tw/~s7310308/html/doc/other/BSD/files/core_driver.zip

http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~balazer/files/Meitape.inf

http://www.yamabe.org/soft/CapDVHS0306e.zip

Installing drivers can be confusing. Just be sure to keep clcking "have disk" until you can point to meitape.inf. You will end up with two imaging devices and a unknown. Disable the unknown.

More info on this thread near the end.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=309877&perpage=20&pagenumber=13

Now that more people are posting on this thread I'd like to pose a question I asked earlier about the RCA DLP's: Is it worth the time and money to connect the TV to a DSL line and use the built in web browser? From what I can gather, the browser doesn't have a lot of features, but a lot of my browsing is done at text based sites like this one. Some early reports have the browser as so unstable that it is practically useless.

Any field reports from users?

MIKE

Originally posted by grittree
Mike, it's not a DV. It's full mpeg2.

For drivers, get core_driver, 1st link. Then replace meitape.inf with the one in the 2nd link. Then get capdvhs, 3rd link, for capturing.


http://www.ntut.edu.tw/~s7310308/html/doc/other/BSD/files/core_driver.zip

http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~balazer/files/Meitape.inf

http://www.yamabe.org/soft/CapDVHS0306e.zip

Installing drivers can be confusing. Just be sure to keep clcking "have disk" until you can point to meitape.inf. You will end up with two imaging devices and a unknown. Disable the unknown.

More info on this thread near the end.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=309877&perpage=20&pagenumber=13

OK, I did that, and in Device manager under Imaging devices, I have 2 entries, 1-Panasonic AV/C device (NV-DHE10) and 2- Tuner AV/C device. There is one unknown device that I disabled. I set the RCA to a OTA digital channel running SD video, but it is reported on TV as 1080i. When I run Cap-D-VHS I can select a Panasonic device and then when I start record, I get the "cannot connect SampleGrabber" error. Any other suggestions?

Thanks
Mike T

OK, so you are tuned to an HD channel.

Do you have two devices to choose from in capdvhs? #2 works for me.

In settings, I changed the file extensions to .tp from .mpg. But don't think that affects the recording. Did not check the PS thingy.

Maybe you installed the wrong driver. Mine are:
Panasonic D-VHS AV/C device
Panasonic D-VHS AV/C device (NV-DHE10)

That top one was gotten by double clicking 'all devices', (the first listing), selecting panasonic, then the AV/C device. There were actually two identical ones listed, then scrolling down showed the specific ones like the DHE10 already installed.

Originally posted by grittree
OK, so you are tuned to an HD channel.

Do you have two devices to choose from in capdvhs? #2 works for me.

In settings, I changed the file extensions to .tp from .mpg. But don't think that affects the recording. Did not check the PS thingy.

Maybe you installed the wrong driver. Mine are:
Panasonic D-VHS AV/C device
Panasonic D-VHS AV/C device (NV-DHE10)

That top one was gotten by double clicking 'all devices', (the first listing), selecting panasonic, then the AV/C device. There were actually two identical ones listed, then scrolling down showed the specific ones like the DHE10 already installed.

I only have 1 listing in CapDVHS.
Where are you when double clicking "all devices"?

I am tuned to a digital channel that is upconverting SD to 1080i HDTV as there is no OTA HDTV on now. In device manager under imaging devices I see only 1 Panasonic device and one Tuner AV/C device. I un-installed all 3 and then when I insert the firewire cable into the computer, I select the meitape.inf file for all three, one says that this does not match the hardware, the other 2 install and then I have 2 devices in the "imaging devices" listing in device manager display, but only 1 is listed as Panasonic and the other is just "Tuner AV/C device", still have samplegrabber error.

Mike, hopefully tomorrow I will have time to go thru the driver install taking some screencaps.
Pending that, I would suggest you use the other thread to see what the people smarter than me are saying.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=309877&perpage=20&pagenumber=16

Originally posted by grittree
Mike, hopefully tomorrow I will have time to go thru the driver install taking some screencaps.
Pending that, I would suggest you use the other thread to see what the people smarter than me are saying.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=309877&perpage=20&pagenumber=16

Reading the other thread, I now have 2 D-VHS devices, and the second one does not give the error in CapDVHS, but the files are 0 bytes. I have compared the .inf file to the one you posted, and it is identical except for the stuff after the wait1000 which are probably files you captured. Still a mystery.

Thanks
Mike T

Mike,

I have the same issue as you: zero bytes. Also the RCA doesn't recognize that there is a 1394 device attached to it.

Originally posted by ShawnB
Mike,

I have the same issue as you: zero bytes. Also the RCA doesn't recognize that there is a 1394 device attached to it.

Yes, my RCA says there is no 1394 device connected. I have tried a lot of the different drivers and no luck, just zero byte files, I guess the RCA is not sending data when it does not find any 1394 device.

Help
Mike T

mraub
I just returned to this thread to see if there were any firmware changes or others having the same issues as I was. My Television has not crashed in the last month, but i have lost the guide a few times. I have not used the web browser again until now either. The browser still comes up, but it will not let me log into my ebay account, so it is completely useless now. I also cannot make changes to my hotmail account. I am not going to push any of the FAV buttons tonight (which previously caused the set to crash HARD) because I am in a good mood right now and I want to go to sleep that way.
I recently tried the Toshiba SD5960 with a HDMI-to-DVI cable and watched KILL BILL and REVOLUTIONS. WoW! Great Picture. Almost as good as the local HDTV broadcasts.

I hooked my set to an Ethernet Internet connection this weekend and also found the browser to be pretty lame. While it never crashed, it sometimes refused to load pages (including those from AVS Forum) and was generally a PITA to use. Not a bad idea, but implementation needs more work. I also found no firmware updates for the set. Still love the picture, though.
MIKE

Originally posted by mtallent
Yes, my RCA says there is no 1394 device connected. I have tried a lot of the different drivers and no luck, just zero byte files, I guess the RCA is not sending data when it does not find any 1394 device.

Been a couple of weeks, hope you have it working.

The RCA doesn't show a device like it does with a physical d-vhs. That just means you can't use the RCA remote to start/stop the record.

If you get 0 bytes, you are almost there. Just need to tune the RCA ant-A to a 8VSB and set the capdvhs config correct. Default should work except selecting the right source. #2 in my case.

Also you can uninstall the DVE-10 device, then disable the resulting unknown device. Now you only have one source.

I finally saw the 61" at BB....It looked pretty good except that like everyone says it has some grain...

It looked pretty good except that like everyone says it has some grain...

It won't as soon as the contrast is turned down and edge sharpening is switched off. The default picture setting seems to be "vivid" which is the worst choice offered.

Has anyone seen how long RCA rates the bulbs in their DLP's to last? I don't think I've ever seen that specification anywhere.

MIKE

Originally posted by grittree
Been a couple of weeks, hope you have it working.

The RCA doesn't show a device like it does with a physical d-vhs. That just means you can't use the RCA remote to start/stop the record.

If you get 0 bytes, you are almost there. Just need to tune the RCA ant-A to a 8VSB and set the capdvhs config correct. Default should work except selecting the right source. #2 in my case.

Also you can uninstall the DVE-10 device, then disable the resulting unknown device. Now you only have one source.

No, I never got it to work. I will try again real soon when I have more time. I was trying to get it to work so I could record the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show being broadcast in HDTV, but I was unable to get it to work.

Mike T

I think the bulb is rated for 10,000 hours in the users manual.

Sams Club (web site) is now selling the RCA DLP model #HD61LPW42.
These are the specs from their web site:

This TV has NetConnect, making it capable to surf the internet and watch TV simultaneously.

Features
# DLP light engine (digital light processing) - 16.7 million colors and 1024 shades of gray: twice the contrast of most other microdisplay technologies
# Integrated ATSC and QAM tuner: delivers the potential for cable in the clear and off air reception of digital high definition broadcasts without the need for seperate ATSC or Digital cable box
# Intelligent signal processing: recognizes incoming signals and progressively converts them to achieve optimum digital picture; automatically reverts converted film source material for best picture
# Proprietary DLP video bit sequences: reduces color artifacts and improves picture performance
# NetConnect - Ethernet with Microsoft Win CE operating system and web browser: capable of surfing the internet and watching tv simultaneously; can network with the home pc to display photos directly from the computer's hard drive
# HD Connectivity: Dual Syncrocan component inputs; DVI with HDCP for uncompressed digital signals; dual FireWire connections with two-way DTVLink for component networking
# GUIDE Plus+ On-Screen program guide: find out what's on; the GUIDE Plus+ feature is a free, built in service that provides instant listing of all your TV shows at a touch of a button
# Universal, partially-backlit remote control
# Dimensions: 56.6" x 46.8" x 19.2"
# Weight: 127.82 lbs.

Product Specifications
# Picture: 61" Screen Size (diagonal)
# DLP HDTV
# 16:9 aspect ratio
# CRT/Light System - Mustang HD2 w/ DLP light engine
# 16 element hybrid lens system
# 1st surface reflective mirror
# High grain, high resolution screen type
# Video noise reduction - adaptive
# Progessive scan
# Scan rate converter
# Comb filter - 3D Y/C Digital Frame
# Adjustable color temp
# Dynamic color stretch circuitry
# Contrast expand (B&W stretch) - off/low/high
# Format control
# Picture Presets - vibrant, natural, cinematic, personal
# 160 degree viewing angle
# Horiz. Resolution (picture width) - 1280 x 720p fixed pixel
# Picture Power (watts) - lamp 100/120 W
# Wide band video amplifier
# Anti-reflective screen

Sound:
# Broadcast Stero with DBX noise reduction
# SAP
# 3D audio surround processor - SRS Labs TruSurround
# Tone control - seven-band graphic equalizer
# Balance control
# Front Speakers - 2 tweeters, 2 mid range
# Fully enclosed speaker system
# 30 total watts
# Sound Logic Audio Leveler
# Sound presets - 7 modes and personal

Reception:
# Tuning capability - NTSC/ATSC/QAM
# Digital cable compatibility - FireWire/DVI/HD component
# HD Ready

Convenience:
# Interactive set up with menus
# Integrated web browser
# Auto channel search
# Multilingual on screen display in English, French, and Spanish
# One button launch for inputs
# Channel labeling
# Commercial skip
# V-Chip
# Picture reset
# Picture in Picture - twin tuner picture freeze
# GUIDE Plus+ program guide
# One touch VCR Record
# Picture in guide
# PSIP guide
# Timers: clock/sleep/turn-on

Rear Connectors:
# Two RF Input (antenna)
# Audio/video inputs (composite): two left and right audio, two video
# S video input: two auto detectible
# Component Video input: two SYNCROSCAN
# 50 watt External center channel input
# DVI-HDCP: Digital Visual Interface - one DVI-HDTV
# Audio Outputs (L+R) - one set - menu switchable
# A/V Outputs (composite) - one set - L&R audio + video
# Audio output (coaxial/optical) - SP-DIF (optical)
# Gold jacks

Front Connectors:
# Audio/video inputs (composite) - one left and right audio, one video
# S video input
# Headphone jack

Yes?

Originally posted by htwaits
Yes?

The specs an the Sams Club web site were more complete that I have seen posted elsewhere, and I thought it interesting that RCA seems to be "clearing" out these sets, since usually they go to these warehouse locations just before the new models come out. :)

Originally posted by PaulGo
The specs an the Sams Club web site were more complete that I have seen posted elsewhere, and I thought it interesting that RCA seems to be "clearing" out these sets, since usually they go to these warehouse locations just before the new models come out. :)
I haven't run into any information about what "new" engineering the next RCA sets will have -- other than the CES "skinny" set of course.

Another article about the new slim RCA DLP's. They will have a cable card so they can handle scrambled cable signals. Still no mention about handling 720p through DVI or component. Also the article mentions that HDTV Recording can be achieved using the new RCA Scenium DVR2160 and RCA Scenium DVR 2080 hard-drive HDTV recorders via DTVLink.

Full article can be found at:

http://news.designtechnica.com/article3652.html

Nice feature set, especially including IE6, rather than the lame browser in the current DLP's. They also need to include a wireless 11g receiver. The price, however, is way too high IMHO.

MIKE

Additional news on the new RCA DLP line from TWICE.

"The new television offerings, which will be sold through the new TCL-Thomson Electronics (TTE) company after that company begins operations in July, will include two previously announced RCA Scenium "Profiles" ultra-thin DLP rear-projection sets that measure 6.85 inches deep and offer DCR capability.

Both high-end DLP sets are slated for September delivery, and are expected to have the industry’s thinnest rear-projection cabinets. Company executives said the sets would be thin and light enough to hang on walls."

"All new DLP models will include ATSC tuning, DCR capability, HDMI digital inputs and component video inputs.

Step-up DLP models will add two IEEE-1394 two-way digital inputs with DTCP copy protection, TV Guide Onscreen electronic program guides and Internet browsers."

"The two aforementioned Profiles DLP sets stand as the flagship DLP offerings. They will be offered in the 50W-inch ($8,999 suggested retail) and 61W-inch ($9,999) screen sizes in September.

Other RCA Scenium DLP HDTV sets will offer cabinet depths of approximately 16 inches, and will include three model/feature series. In the 165 series the company will introduce a new 44W-screen size. The HD44LPW165 is scheduled to ship in the fall at a $3,699 suggested retail and will include a TV Guide Onscreen electronic program guide, HDMI and IEEE-1394 digital interfaces and an Internet browser.

The 163 series will include 50W-inch ($3,999, August) and 61W-inch $4,599, August) models with the TV Guide EPG, Internet browser and IEEE-1394 and HDMI inputs.

The 162 series will also include 50W-inch ($3,799, July) and 61W-inch ($4,399, July) screen sizes and like the others will include integrated ATSC tuning, DCR capability and HDMI input, but will omit the EPG, Internet browser and 1394 interfaces.

Thomson will also carry over the current 42 series DLP HDTV sets in the 50W-inch ($3,799) and 61W-inch screen sizes ($4,299), which do not offer DCR capability but include an EPG, Internet browser HDMI and 1394 interfaces."


Full article can be found at

http://www.twice.com/article/CA418121.html?display=News

Does anyone know if the 61" RCA dlp (w142 model) will accept a 480p signal from a DVD player?

Sure it will, but not 720p.

Will the new RCA models finally accept 720p through the components and DVI? This is the biggest issue to holding up this TV.

Originally posted by Akkula
Will the new RCA models finally accept 720p through the components and DVI? This is the biggest issue to holding up this TV.

The other issues some have found with this RCA DLP is noise / grain in the picture and unfortunately RCA support if things go wrong with the set.

... and the fact there are no controls that make an ISF calibration possible.

Originally posted by Akkula
Will the new RCA models finally accept 720p through the components and DVI? This is the biggest issue to holding up this TV.

Anyhow, back to my original question.

Anyone???

You are asking the wrong people. RCA is the only source of information at this time and they don't seem to be interested in providing an answer to your question. Once new sets are in stores then new owners will be able to answer.

When are the new models due in stores?

Originally posted by Akkula
When are the new models due in stores?

I don't think RCA has had anything to say about that either. There wasn't an announcement at the CES show in January. In May last year there was a news release about the current models. They arrived in the stores in the Fall.

Originally posted by PaulGo
The other issues some have found with this RCA DLP is noise / grain in the picture and unfortunately RCA support if things go wrong with the set.

I bought an RCA HDLP50W151 HDTV last October and it has been all right. I have not tested RCA's customer service because what I have read on AVS Forum and elsewhere has convinced me that doing so would be a waste of time. I bought the set from a long-time TV and appliance dealer here in OKC so if I have problems before the warranty runs out I will talk to him, not RCA.

I have had no grain problems that I could discern, although I concede that a more discriminating viewer might disagree. In fact, I think that the HD picture is startlingly good.

I have had only a couple of problems, both intermittent: (1) The DLP engine has occasionally been so loud that I turned off the set and let it rest for a few minutes. This has always cleared up the problem. Routinely, the DLP engine is not loud at all. (2) The set has turned on and produced sound with no picture a couple of times. The only way I was able to cure the problem was to do a cold reboot by unplugging the power cord. Other than that, it’s been great. I just hope that my luck continues.

gwsat:
I wouldn't call that luck - the dlp engine would not make any sound - it either is the cooling fan or the color wheel. In either case if it makes that much noise it is probably a sign that it will fail and should be repaired. The sound problem could be related to a memory problem within the RCA circuit board or a bad component. It also should be fixed.

Just another annoying glitch to the RCA DLP. Last night a storm came through the area. The power was knoocked out a few seconds to less than a minute. My TV was off at the time, but plugged into a Monster 5000 surge protection. When the power was restored, the TV came ON! I went downstairs to shut it off. Guess what? If you unplug the power cord and plug it back in, with the TV off, the TV will turn on. This is a problem, especially if you are not at home when this occurs. Try your TV to see if has the same problem. I hope through posting common problems we will see a firmware update that may fix these issues, or would that be asking to much. Yea. I thought so.
Just another update. Web browser almost completely worthless now that I can't get it to work with ebay or completely with this site.
My tv (when new) would lock up and need to be completely unplugged to reset and gain a brain again. This problem has not happened in over a two months now. I hope it never happens again.
You may have noticed that most of my posts rip apart the RCA for all the faults. I still love the picture. Wonderful bright and clear HD picture. The Toshiba SD5960 worked well through the DVI, but the player was defective. A new Zenith DVb318 will be connected and evaluated for the next month. I will post the good/bad of that combo.

Is there any good info comparing the DLP's together? I've been scouring the forums and there is a lot of info on the Samsung, a little bit on the RCA and virually nothing on the other new sets coming soon. I'm going to be in the market for a TV in about a month or two and I'm having a lot of trouble trying to get a grip on which one seems to be the better choice.

Originally posted by PaulGo
gwsat:
I wouldn't call that luck - the dlp engine would not make any sound - it either is the cooling fan or the color wheel. In either case if it makes that much noise it is probably a sign that it will fail and should be repaired. The sound problem could be related to a memory problem within the RCA circuit board or a bad component. It also should be fixed.

This is good advice, I think. I'll call the dealer I bought the set from and report the problems.

Originally posted by King Nine
Is there any good info comparing the DLP's together? I've been scouring the forums and there is a lot of info on the Samsung, a little bit on the RCA and virually nothing on the other new sets coming soon. I'm going to be in the market for a TV in about a month or two and I'm having a lot of trouble trying to get a grip on which one seems to be the better choice.


If I were you I would wait unti October/November before buying anything. At that time there will be more manufacturers in the market including panasonic, toshiba, mitsubishi, (others???) and you will have some good real world data on the new sets. For me, the sets with the integrated tuners is where I am looking. I think all the brands I mentioned will have some models with tuners included.

I have rarely used my RCAHDLP50W151 HDTV's built in over-the-air tuner because my cable company carries all of the local channels that broadcast in HD. Nevertheless, I have read that some of the new generation HDTVs are going to have the capability of holding expansion cards that the local cable company would furnish. The ability to replace the cable box with an expansion card would be nice.

If I were you I would wait unti October/November before buying anything. At that time there will be more manufacturers in the market including panasonic, toshiba, mitsubishi, (others???) and you will have some good real world data on the new sets. For me, the sets with the integrated tuners is where I am looking. I think all the brands I mentioned will have some models with tuners included.

Waiting untill then will Kill me. I'm finally getting a green light from my wife and I've been waiting sooo long. I've been a good boy. Really I have;)

Seriously, I did see new threads talking about the Toshiba and LG sets as well. I wish there was some good info on them and sombody would make a comparison chart for all the DLP's. Hopefully the show this weekend in NY will shed a lot of light on things.

I am excited about DLPs with integrated tuners mainly because I would be able to watch to digital sources at one time. Imagine watching NFL games w/split screen on CBS and FOX at the same time! Also, no ugly cable boxes! I am looking to wait until there are a few more DLPs with integrated tuners in them.

Imagine watching NFL games w/split screen on CBS and FOX at the same time!

Now that would be a Fantasy Football Dream!!! I already flip all over the place during the NFL games to see if the west coast has different games than the east coast or my local stations.:D

Has anyone here had experience with the Momitsu V880 upconverting DVD player and an RCA DLP HDTV? I ordered a V880 earlier this week and have become concerned because of the apparent glitch in the RCA DLPs that prevents them from dealing with a 720p signal from an external source in native format. What if anything should this mean to me? Does it mean that my RCA HDLP50W151 will only be able to deal with a 420p signal from the Momitsu? How should I setup the Momitsu to provide the best signal to the RCA via a DVi connection? I apparently don't have to worry about the RCA's settings because the instruction book says that it deals automatically with inputs via DVi.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Can the Momitsu output a 1080i signal? If so then there you go. Won't be the 1:1 mapping like a 720p output but the quality should be almost as good...

Originally posted by gwsat
I ordered a V880 earlier this week and have become concerned because of the apparent glitch in the RCA DLPs that prevents them from dealing with a 720p signal from an external source in native format.
That's not a "clitch" but a design choice by RCA. My assumption, without any knowledge of RCA thinking, is that it was done to keep the price as low as possible. I don't think they expect many of their non-AVS customers to notice.

pg_rider -- The Momitsu can, indeed, output a 1080i signal so it looks like it will work just fine with my HDLP50W151. Thank you, thank you, thank you. That's a relief (not to mention being a whole lot more helpful than starting a debate over the meaning of "glitch"). I really appreciate it.

gwsat,

I apologize if I gave you information you weren't looking for. I thought you were concerned about a "glitch".

480p or 480i output through DVI may produce a better picture than 1080i. The reason for this is a DVD outputs a 480 signal. Either the RCA or the Momitsu has to convert the signal to what can be shown on the screen. Having the Momitsu convert the signal to 1080i and then having the RCA convert it to 720p so it can display it serves no useful function except putting in another layer of conversion. I would think inputting a 480p or possibly a 480i signal would allow the RCA to do the conversion to 720p and potentially produce a superior picture. The whole idea of using a DVI DVD player is to minimize any conversions and to keep the signal digital.

PaulGo -- good point. Only one sure way to find out -- try it both ways! :)

Originally posted by PaulGo
The whole idea of using a DVI DVD player is to minimize any conversions and to keep the signal digital.
Exactly.

As I understand it the DVI port on the RCA feeds into an analog conversion followed by a conversion back to digital. Is that right?

First, thanks to all for the advice. I need it.

PaulGo and pg_rider -- when I get my Momitsu I'll try it out using a variety of outputs. What worries me, though, is that I have a 5 year old old non-progressive scan Sony that doesn't look very good on my RCA via an S-video connection. I had a conventional 420p progressive scan Hitachi, which pumped a pretty good picture but I gave it to my daughter because of weaknesses that are beyond the scope of this discussions. If the Momitsu can't beat the Hitachi then it seems that I might have wasted my money. I'll report fully after I have had a chance to check out how it works with my RCA DLP.

htwaits -- I appreciate and accept your gracious apology. My use of the word, "glitch" to describe the RCA DLP HDTVs inability to accept a native 720p input was probably inartful, as I had learned from this thread that it was a design defect that had nothing to do with something my individual set was doing.

Why do you have the Sony DVD player thru S-video instead of using component cables? S-video will always give you an inferior picture. You also need to set your Sony DVD player to 16:9 so it will play anamorphic DVD's. If the RCA has a good de-interlacer you may get good results.

Originally posted by gwsat
htwaits -- I appreciate and accept your gracious apology. My use of the word, "glitch" to describe the RCA DLP HDTVs inability to accept a native 720p input was probably inartful, as I had learned from this thread that it was a design defect that had nothing to do with something my individual set was doing.
Thanks. I missunderstood the nature of your "glitch".

Originally posted by PaulGo
Why do you have the Sony DVD player thru S-video instead of using component cables? S-video will always give you an inferior picture. You also need to set your Sony DVD player to 16:9 so it will play anamorphic DVD's. If the RCA has a good de-interlacer you may get good results.

I did hookup the Sony with component cables at first but concluded that the PQ was not significantly better than the S-video connection provided. By using the S-video connection via my Yamaha RX V2400 a/v receiver I was able to display the on screen menus from the 2400 whille I was playing DVDs. For some reason, I couldn't get the 2400's menus to show up when I connected the Sony to the TV with component cables, although I made the hookup via the 2400. Go figure. The big problem with the component connection was that the 16:9 picture did not fill the screen and in order to make it do so I had to zoom the picture. I have to do the same thing using S-video but, as noted, I can't tell much difference in PQ between the two methods -- especially when the picture is zoomed to fill the screen.

If you have a "widescreen" DVD and you have the DVD player menu set so it is putting out a 16:9 picture it should fill the screen (with maybe small black bars on top and bottom of the screen". If it does not fill the screen you do not have the DVD player set up correctly and that is why you are getting a poor quality. How the RCA deinterlaces the picture is another story but the picture should fill the screen. On Sony DVD player you must set the aspect ratio of the screen before you put a DVD in the player.

I have three choices on the Sony: 4:3 letterbox, 4:3 pan scan, and 16:9/4:3 wide mode. None of them fills the screen unless I use the zoom even if I am playing a 16:9 DVD.

Originally posted by gwsat
I have three choices on the Sony: 4:3 letterbox, 4:3 pan scan, and 16:9/4:3 wide mode. None of them fills the screen unless I use the zoom even if I am playing a 16:9 DVD.

I really can't figure this out. If the RCA is like the Samsung DLP when it is on component it needs to be set on "Wide" otherwise you will have borders on each side. Does the RCA DLP have a setting corresponding to "wide" for the component inputs?

gwsat,

Some DVD players have two separate aspect mode settings.

Also double check to be sure you also have the DVD player set to output to a 16x9 display device. That setting is different than the aspect mode settings. Sometimes it is a mechanical switch with 4x3 and 16x9 positions. Other times it is a menu option.

PaulGo and htwaits -- Thanks for the suggestions. I double checked and confirmed that the RCA DLP seems to have no "wide" and "narrow" settings for the component outputs.

This thrash makes me grateful that my new Momitsu is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I hope that it performs as advertised. I'll report when I know more. On this score, I remembered yesterday that my cable box, a Scientific Atlanta 3250HD, outputs 1080i to the RCA DLP, which the RCA deals with quite gracefully -- at least the PQ of cable generated HD is just as good as over the air HD. Thus, I am encouraged to believe that the Momitsu's 1080i output should work well with the RCA DLP, too.

Thanks again for the suggestions. This has been very interesting and I have learned some good stuff.

I've had an RCA DLP50W151 for 3 months now and am happy with it. My only complaint is the 720p issue. So my question is this: How can I watch something in 720p on this t.v.? OTA is not an option as I live in a canyon. Are there HD satellite receivers that offer a firewire output? As I understand it, the firewire input on this t.v. displays 720p. BTW, I'm happy with the DVI 1080i picture...it just bugs me that I can't see what the big 720p difference is.

Originally posted by smurfee
OTA is not an option as I live in a canyon.
You could move to higher ground. :D

By law cable has to offer fireware enabled receivers. The problem is from my understanding is DVI is the only 100% true uncompressed digital path. I believe firewire does use some compression.

Record to JVC HM-DH40000 to RCA HDLP50W151:

For the last two days I have been trying to record from OTA HDTV PBS on my RCA HDLP50W151 using a JVC HM-DH40000 HD recorder (firewire). No joy. I have looked all over this forum and on google and I have not found a solution. I see people are able to record from the RCA to their computers, so I believe I should be able to do the same with my JVC.

I have been able to record from my JVC HD10U HD recorder (playback) to the 40000.

The firewire connection is working. One firewire out to JVC Camcorder, the other firewire out to JVC HD VCR. No loops. For simplicity, ignore the camcorder connection; it is working, and I cannot record OTA with the camcorder connected to its firewire or not.

RCA recognizes THREE Dlink interfaces, the VCR, the TUNER in the VCR, and the CAMCORDER. The TUNER in the vcr and the VCR are on channel 0, and the CAMCORDER is on channel 1 of the firewire interface. For simplicity I disconnected the camcorder, so there are the two devices, the VCR and the TUNER on channel 0. The tuner is meaningless, so I attend to the VCR only.

On the DH40000, I have tried to record with the DH40000 INPUT set to "I1" which is the firewire input to the VCR from the RCA DLP, and I have tried to record to "I2" which is the input from the camcorder. Obviously I cannot record from the RCA DLP using "I2."

I think that I should be able to record from the RCA DLP OTA tuner to the VCR using channel 0 (on RCA DLP firewire) to the VCR. But so far I have not been successful. I can PLAY HD tapes from the HD VCR to the RCA DLP using firewire channel 0 on the TV.

Is there anybody out in TV land that can help me record from the RCA DLP OTA tuner to the JVC HM-DH40000? My needs are simple; I would like to record some of the OTA PBS HD or wide screen programs.

If not, has anybody had success with the Mitsubishi HS-HD20000U? Or have the Lords of Hollywood defeated my aims?

Thanks for any help,

Frank

Originally posted by PaulGo
By law cable has to offer fireware enabled receivers. The problem is from my understanding is DVI is the only 100% true uncompressed digital path. I believe firewire does use some compression. Firewire transmits compressed signals, yes. But these are the source signals from which the uncompressed DVI signals are derived. The Firewire signal has exactly the same information as the DVI signal, with no loss of quality.

How can I watch something in 720p on this t.v.?

I think all HD receivers offer the option of chosing to output the signal to the monitor as either 720p or 1080i, regardless of the format of the signal being received from the antenna. I assume this conversion in all done in the digital domain with no quality loss.

MIKE

Originally posted by mraub
I think all HD receivers offer the option of chosing to output the signal to the monitor as either 720p or 1080i, regardless of the format of the signal being received from the antenna. I assume this conversion in all done in the digital domain with no quality loss.


The big boys here have said that the RCA D:P HDTVs will not support 720p from an external source, such as a DVD player. You could do a search for "720p" in this thread to collect the posts that have discussed the issue.

I have a 50" RCA DLP and I just got a new Momitsu V880 today. The Momitsu has the capability of generating either a 720p or 1080i signal via either a component or DVi connection. I haven't finished installing it yet, though, so I don't know what if any effect the RCA's inability to process a 720p signal will have.

If you feed the RCA set 1080i from any STB or DVD player, you are good to go.

A program from ABC, ESPN or very soon FOX that originates as 720p can be converted by a STB to 1080i and displayed on your RCA TV. It's not the best method but it works.

All the HD CRT RPTV set have to do the same thing with 720p source material.

No one has ever said the RCA DLP sets will not display 720p from external inputs. In fact everything displayed on a 1280x720 DLP chip has to be 720p at the final stage. The fact that RCA will not accept it's native resolution directly through DVI just means that all inputs have to go through an analog stage before being converted to the sets native 720p digital format for display even if you use the DVI digital input.

so, 720p can be displayed on this t.v. through the firewire input, not through the DVI input. That's great. WHAT DEVICES HAVE A FIREWIRE OUTPUT? I'm wondering specifically about satellite boxes and DVD players, not hooking my p.c. up to my t.v.

Ummm, let's see... The DVR10 HD Digital Recorder made by RCA itself has a firewire output.... (!)

The JVC JY-HD10 high definition camcorder has firewire output...

I am sure there are others....

When I was configuring my Momitsu uponcerting DVD player after I connected it to my RCA DLP HDTV via DVi cables I selected an output of 720p on the Momitsu but the RCA could not read it -- the screen stayed black. When I changed the Momitsu's configuration from 720p to 1080i I got a picture on the RCA that was outstanding -- nearly HD quality.

Just to keep the terminology straight (for myself at least :)): the RCA can't process a 720p input signal from an external device (STB/DVD Player, etc.) but the only signal it can display is 720p. Microchip TV sets (TI's HD2 DLP for instance) are only able to display one resolution.

gwsat's test produced the expected results for the RCA because RCA designed the set to work that way.

The RCA DLP RPTVs don't support native 720p except through their internal tuner.

I was in BB last week and I quickly checked out the DLPs there (I was doing other business at BB). I saw that they had some RCA DLP TVs on display and I commented to the salesman that tried to help me that the RCAs don't support 720p properly. He quickly pointed me to their RCA rep which happened to be standing behind me and nearby. I admonished RCA for this product design decision and suggested that perhaps RCA was using old technology parts. The RCA rep couldn't disagree and admitted to the problem. I asked him if the new RCA models have had this flaw corrected but he only replied that "that's a good question" and left it there. I finished the conversation by saying the flaw was just plain stupid.

Originally posted by htwaits
Just to keep the terminology straight (for myself at least :)): the RCA can't process a 720p input signal but the only signal it can display is 720p. Microchip TV sets (TI's HD2 DLP for instance) are only able to display one resolution.

gwsat's test produced the expected results for the RCA because RCA designed the set to work that way.

At last, an explanation in a few words that everbody can understand. When I started posting here and learned that the RCA's weird design prevented it from processing an external native 720p input, I wondered how that could be so when the RCA's display is 720p. It has turned out to be no big deal, though, for which I am grateful. As indicated in my earlier post, the PQ of the DVD picture at 1080i resolution could hardly be better.

Originally posted by xortam
I finished the conversation by saying the flaw was just plain stupid.
I disagree.

It's just plain stupid and just plain "cheap". :rolleyes:

Originally posted by xortam
The RCA DLP RPTVs don't support native 720p except through their internal tuner.

I was in BB last week and I quickly checked out the DLPs there (I was doing other business at BB). I saw that they had some RCA DLP TVs on display and I commented to the salesman that tried to help me that the RCAs don't support 720p properly. He quickly pointed me to their RCA rep which happened to be standing behind me and nearby. I admonished RCA for this product design decision and suggested that perhaps RCA was using old technology parts. The RCA rep couldn't disagree and admitted to the problem. I asked him if the new RCA models have had this flaw corrected but he only replied that "that's a good question" and left it there. I finished the conversation by saying the flaw was just plain stupid.

Over the weekend I made an A-B comparison of CBS's HD telecast of the Colonial Golf Tournament between the RCA's internal tuner and the version Cox Cable of OKC was pumping to my Scientific Atlanta 3250HD digital cable box. The difference in the pictures was very slight -- the sort of thing that only we AVS Forum members would even notice, much less care about. Nevertheless, there WAS a slight difference. The over the air version seemed ever so slightly brighter and crisper. As Cox has recently installed state of the art optical digital cable in my area and the 3250HD box is the latest thing going, I have to conclude that the slight difference in PQ was caused by the RCA DLP’s dreaded 720p problem.

Originally posted by gwsat
I have to conclude that the slight difference in PQ was caused by the RCA DLP?s dreaded 720p problem.
Probably you are right. There may be a bigger difference with lower quality material like movies on DVD. Even so, it's hard to come up with a valid A/B test.

"I have to conclude that the slight difference in PQ was caused by the RCA DLP's dreaded 720p problem."

Since CBS broadcasts 1080i you would be getting a 1080i signal from both sources. If you stated you were viewing ABC that broadcasts 720p you could have a valid comparison. How was the COX box hooked up to the RCA (component or DVI). Also the signal levels could be slightly different from the cable box and you may need to adjust the picture settings.

Originally posted by htwaits
Probably you are right. There may be a bigger difference with lower quality material like movies on DVD. Even so, it's hard to come up with a valid A/B test.

That the HD telecast was live was what prompted me to make the comparison. I learned a long time ago that even in SD a live transmission can be startlingly good. Back in the '80s and early '90s I had a C-Band dish. In those years if you scouted around among the various satellites you could often find the direct feed of an NFL ballgame (called the "backhaul feed"). Not only could you hear the guys talking to each other during commercials, the PQ was great because the signal went directly from the truck outside the ballpark to the satellite. Ah, for the good old days.

Originally posted by PaulGo
"I have to conclude that the slight difference in PQ was caused by the RCA DLP's dreaded 720p problem."

Since CBS broadcasts 1080i you would be getting a 1080i signal from both sources. If you stated you were viewing ABC that broadcasts 720p you could have a valid comparison. How was the COX box hooked up to the RCA (component or DVI). Also the signal levels could be slightly different from the cable box and you may need to adjust the picture settings.

This is a good point. The difference in PQ I thought I saw might, indeed, have been attributable to slightly different picture settings on the RCA between Antenna A and the Cbl/Sat input. In any event, the difference in PQ was VERY slight and both pictures looked great. Cox’s transmissions here are really pretty good. In stark contrast, my son who lives in Jackson, TN subscribed to DirecTV because Charter Cable’s transmission quality was so sorry.

Originally posted by smurfee
WHAT DEVICES HAVE A FIREWIRE OUTPUT? I'm wondering specifically about satellite boxes and DVD players
The Motorola 6200 hi-def cable box has a FireWire output. I hooked it straight into my RCA DLP and it worked fine, although you don't get the on-screen guide from the cable box using that connection. The coolest thing was flipping to ABC and seeing the little "720p" icon in the corner! But as far as PQ, I couldn't tell the difference between 720p and 1080i so I went back to my DVI connection with the cable box outputting everything in 1080i... :)

Originally posted by gwsat
... I learned a long time ago that even in SD a live transmission can be startlingly good. Back in the '80s and early '90s I had a C-Band dish. In those years if you scouted around among the various satellites you could often find the direct feed of an NFL ballgame (called the "backhaul feed"). Not only could you hear the guys talking to each other during commercials, the PQ was great because the signal went directly from the truck outside the ballpark to the satellite. Ah, for the good old days. Good old days are still here ... and just got better. :D

I've been a BUDie since '90 and I loved the Ku feeds which had the very best in NTSC video quality. The Ku raw feeds have faded away considerably but there are still plenty of analog C-Band raw feeds which are stellar. Some analog BUD signals have been disappearing in general as everyone switches over to digital. I finally stepped into the DTV age and received a new analog/digital C/Ku-Band receiver yesterday (Motorola DSR922 IRD). I haven't fired it up yet (got a "billion" projects going on at the moment) but I'll tell you that NPS and HBO are doing very good things to bring BUD back to the glory days ... and perhaps beyond. :)

Originally posted by pg_rider
The Motorola 6200 hi-def cable box has a FireWire output. ...Does any other service provider support FireWire on their STBs? I ditched cable in '90 and I doubt I'll ever get it again unless something drastic happens in how they run their business, at least here in the South Bay of Silicon Valley.

Originally posted by pg_rider
The Motorola 6200 hi-def cable box has a FireWire output. I hooked it straight into my RCA DLP and it worked fine, although you don't get the on-screen guide from the cable box using that connection. The coolest thing was flipping to ABC and seeing the little "720p" icon in the corner! But as far as PQ, I couldn't tell the difference between 720p and 1080i so I went back to my DVI connection with the cable box outputting everything in 1080i... :)

Cox Cable OKC is starting to make Firewire enabled HD boxes available here (the SA 3250HD) but I have resisted so far. Even if Firewire did provide improved PQ I'm not sure that losing the on-screen program guide wouldn't be a deal killer for me. Since pg_rider and I have virtually the same HDTV (mine is the 50" RCA DLP) I am satisfied that I would not see much improvement in PQ, either. Under the circumstances, I think that I shall not bother to change out my 3250HD box for a Firewire enabled one right away. Boy, there are lot's of dirty little secrets out there in Home Theater Land, aren't there?

I'm curious, reading the most recent posts on this thread I'm starting to get the idea that the DTVLink (firewire) in ports on the RCA DLPs may be a solution to the 720p acceptance issue. I'm still in the dark though . . . could you connect a DVD player such as the Pioneer DV-47Ai (which has IEEE 1394 out) to the port on the back of the RCA and actually get a straight-through digital image (i.e. avoid the RCA's up-down conversion over DVI) displayed at 720p? I'd really like to try this player out if that would actually work.

The firewire on that unit appears to be for audio only, unfortunately.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_15020671_35201_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_ProductDet ailComponent

I was afraid of that . . . its difficult finding any dvd players which might support this capability, at least in my experience. Have you heard of any which may be available or at the very least any that are scheduled to hit the consumer market some time soon? By the way, thanks for the reply ShawnB.

I started reading this thread and skipped to the end to make this post. I've worked for wal-mart for 6 years, and I am embarrassed that we still sell RCA tv's to unknowledgeable customers. We get them returned more often than any other brand tv, including emerson. Their RPCRT's and standard tv's are both horrible for reliability, but I will say that the picture quality is top notch. I too have seen the consumer reports reliability rating of tv's. RCA is second from the bottom in every size and category, only above GE, which happens to be owned by the same company.

Their RPCRT's and standard tv's are both horrible for reliability

Though a few early purchasers of RCA's DLP-RP's had problems which RCA couldn't fix due to a lack of replacement parts and/or lack of knowledge by servicemen of DLP technology, I haven't seen a lot of reports of problems with the current line of DLP-RP's. Maybe they learned their lessons--or just got lucky.

MIKE

Originally posted by mraub
I haven't seen a lot of reports of problems with the current line of DLP-RP's. Maybe they learned their lessons--or just got lucky.

MIKE
I wonder how many AVS members who post bought the RCA DLP.

It's possible the DLP sets are of a whole diff origin than older technologies.
Seems I read that all the RCA branded DLPs are now from a Chinese joint venture with a name like CCE or some similar 3 letter moniker.

I still love mine.

Thompson of France merged with a Chinese company who probably will build the RCA sets in the future. I don't think they have had time to have built any of the current sets.

Originally posted by grittree
It's possible the DLP sets are of a whole diff origin than older technologies.
Seems I read that all the RCA branded DLPs are now from a Chinese joint venture with a name like CCE or some similar 3 letter moniker.

I still love mine.

I love mine, too. I have had my 50" RCA DLP since last October.

I saw the 61' at best buy yesterday and as I stated on an other thread it had the best picture of all DLP sets, very filmlike and smooth. This set is selling for $2,999 on the net.

Still love my 61" RCA DLP. Almost 6 months now of astonishing pictures. Yeah, I know it's supposed to be a POS but most of you (DLP'ers) are Samsung owners...Oh, and that 720p thing just really bugs me. NOT!

Enjoy.

Originally posted by Richie Duroseau
I saw the 61' at best buy yesterday and as I stated on an other thread it had the best picture of all DLP sets, very filmlike and smooth. This set is selling for $2,999 on the net.

I've been looking at the HD50LPW42 and HD61LPW42 and Circuit City (web site, not the store) has the 61" at the price you quote and the 50" (which interests me more) for nearly $500 less. This was a big recent drop and I'm curious if it might mean CC is trying to clear them out for HD50LPW163 and HD61LPW163. A HD44LPW165 would probably fit a lot better for me than the 50" but I thought it was a lot farther off (Fall??).

Pulling the trigger will be easier for $500 less but I don't know if the new sets will be HD3, HD2+, ... Has anybody noticed news on RCA's new DLP sets that might be prompting CC to cut the price? Or specs on what TI chip will be in the 163 or 165 series units?

Thanks in advance.

From the NY Times 6/10/04

"RCA's two ultra-slim Scenium Profiles D.L.P. sets, a 61-inch model for $10,000 and a 50-incher for $9,000, are to arrive in September. RCA will also introduce five D.L.P.'s at $3,700 to $4,600, all digital-cable-ready, starting next month."

This should contribute to a further drop in DLP prices.

"Texas Instruments (TI) is aggressively lowering prices for its DLP-based (digital light processing-based) microdisplay chips, with prices being cut 22% this year and again in 2005, according to sources."

Originally posted by PaulGo
This should contribute to a further drop in DLP prices.

"Texas Instruments (TI) is aggressively lowering prices for its DLP-based (digital light processing-based) microdisplay chips, with prices being cut 22% this year and again in 2005, according to sources."

Bout time we read some good news ...
Thanks Paul....

Regards...

At InfoComm 2004 June 9-11, 2004 Clarity Visual Systems will be displaying the Bengal - A 61-inch rear projection DLP display, based on the InFocus engine that is only 6.5 inches deep. Bengal aims at beating 60-inch plasma on price and performance in digital signage applications by combining ultra-thin rear projection technology with a rugged, reliable design. Integrated audio is included

* Bengal is the first 61-inch rear-projection DLP product on the market today. It also has audio included.
* Clarity leads the technology curve again with rear-projection displays.
* Retail digital signage is the coming growth market and these new displays will be shipping in September.

This seems to be using the same technology as the new thin RCA DLPs.

Review of the RCA HDLP50W151.

http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review1780.html

Originally posted by PaulGo
Review of the RCA HDLP50W151.

http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review1780.html
I don't follow the RCA model numbers but I think the model reviewed is the 2003 HD2 model. The reviewer seemed to be reporting on OTB settings and didn't indicate the output resolution he was using for his DVD tests using DVI output. I was hoping for some new RCA information.

Great review. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the RCA's have about the best picture of all the DLP RP's.

MIKE

As I noted earlier in this thread, I like my 50" RCA DLP, which I bough last October, a lot. I have, though, had intermittent problems with excessive noise from the fan-color wheel and excessive delays between the time the unit is turned on and the time the screen lights.

Because of recommendations from other posters here that I do so, I reported these problems to my dealer in June; his tech inspected the TV a couple of times but it would not act up for him. Nevertheless, based on the tech's description of my problems to RCA, RCA told my dealer yesterday that they are sending a replacement light engine.

I'll report further after the swap is made. In any event, I have to give both RCA and my dealer high marks for listening to my complaints and doing something about them -- which was why I bought my TV from an old time local dealer in the first place. Sometimes it pays to pay retail prices.

By the way, I agree with htwaits assessment that the review of the RCA DLP posted above referred to the 2003 model. The reviewer commented that the reviewed model was RCA's "first generation" DLP.

Glad to hear you are happy with your RCA DLP GWSAT. I have had my 50" Scenium DLP since April and have been nothing but pleased with its performance. I too bought the set from a local, non-chain retailer and was able to negotiate an internet-like price, but, most importantly, he is right around the corner, should I have any problems. I bought the set as I felt it had the best PQ of any DLP I have seen. I know they have not received the most favorable reviews on this site but, so far, so good and knock on wood. I am also glad to see others enjoying their set as well.

One question for any RCA DLP owners.......... my current cable box only supplies a component output. I can upgrade, for a nominal charge, to their DVR box which has a DVI output. I am aware of the RCA's digital - analog - digital conversion for the DVI input. My question is.....has anyone seen the PQ under both conditions, and, if so, what kind of feedback can you give me? Is it worth the upgrade?

I've got my RCA 61" connected to my Motorola 6200 hi-def box via both DVI and component and, to be quite honest, can't tell a lick of difference....

Separate topic -- for all you guys with RCA's, how about posting your picture settings? I'm constantly fiddling with mine in search of nirvana, and I'd be curious to see what others are using. I've calibrated with DVE several times and it gives me a great picture, but I've always ended up turning up the color and the contrast for a bit more "pop". Anyway, here are mine for my DVI (hi-def cable box) input:

- All the "advanced" settings turned OFF -- EE, green stretch, contrast expand, auto color, etc.
- Color temp = normal
- Contrast = 75
- Color = 55
- Tint = 55
- Brightness = 46
- Sharpness = 60

Settings for Input 3 (DVD component connection) are similar...

Guz -- I was at a BB store over the noon hour and looked at their HD display. Their version of the 50" RCA DLP was surrounded by Samsung and Panasonic DLPs, which cost a BUNCH more. Nevertheless, the RCA looked at least as good to my eyes as the other sets.

pg_rider -- You said, "For all you guys with RCA's, how about posting your picture settings?" That's a good idea, I think. I'll try to check mine out and report, although my cable box, a SA 8000HD combo HD box and HD DVR, currently allows only component connections. Aren't there some adjustments that can be done to the component inputs that can't be done to the DVI input?

Great idea PG Rider. I will definitely experiment with yours and gwsat's settings.

My settings are:

HD Cable
Color Temp - Normal
Contrast - 50
Color - 71
Tint - 50
Brightness - 49
Sharpness - 48

DVD
Same settings except contrast at 70. I also have used the Vibrant default settings for DVD and like it on darker DVD's (e.g. Matrix, LOTR)

Has anyone had their RCA DLP ISF calibrated? I recall one ISF guy saying something to the effect that RCA's service menu didn't allow full calibration, but I don't know if that's really the case or not.

MIKE

Mike -- I believe the ISF guy was right. Based on posts by others in this and other threads, it appears that RCA DLPs don't have some of the adjustments necessary to do an ISF calibration of the sort that can be done on the Samsung DLPs.

I have the 61" RCA as well, mine is connected through the Motorola DCT6200 both DVI and component and I can tell zero difference on HD or digital material however on the analog channels I use a direct RF connection bypassing the cable box and let my display tuner do the work. The SD material looks much better using this method.

Here are my settings for my DVI input:

- All the "advanced" settings turned OFF -- EE, green stretch, contrast expand, except I have the auto color on

- Color temp = Warm (6500 Kelvin setting)
- Contrast = 61
- Color = 54
- Tint = 52
- Brightness = 55
- Sharpness = 32

I have turned the sharpness all the way down to zero and up to 65 and saw no discernible difference so I set it in the middle. :)

Jimbo

Originally posted by Jimbo Moran
on the analog channels I use a direct RF connection bypassing the cable box and let my display tuner do the work. The SD material looks much better using this method.

- Color temp = Warm (6500 Kelvin setting)

- Sharpness = 32. I have turned the sharpness all the way down to zero and up to 65 and saw no discernible difference so I set it in the middle. :)
Do you find it annoying having to switch TV inputs (from Input 5 to Antenna A) when channel surfing?

I wanted to use the Warm color temp after reading that it was closest to 6500K, yet to my eyes it gives everything a "yellowish" tint, especially noticeable on whites. I prefer Normal, and sometimes Cool even looks good. Interesting. I've never really understood color temp or what it means so I just let my eyes be my guide....

You can't see a difference when adjusting sharpness? Wow! I'm really surprised at that! I read that for most TVs sharpness should be set to 0 since it usually only ADDS to the picture. Yet with my RCA if I get below 40 or so (on any input, including DVI) it most certainly softens/blurs the picture. It's very noticeable on both normal material and the DVE test patterns. Note -- I believe DVE mentions that on some TVs the sharpness control CAN actually blur the picture.

How interesting that we've seen such different results!

Originally posted by pg_rider
Do you find it annoying having to switch TV inputs (from Input 5 to Antenna A) when channel surfing?

Not at all, I just consider it an excercise in manual dexterity. You gotta love pushing those itty bitty buttons on the RCA remote.

I wanted to use the Warm color temp after reading that it was closest to 6500K, yet to my eyes it gives everything a "yellowish" tint, especially noticeable on whites. I prefer Normal, and sometimes Cool even looks good. Interesting. I've never really understood color temp or what it means so I just let my eyes be my guide....

I agree with your result but I turned on the warm setting then readjusted my color and tint controls for the most realistic picture.


You can't see a difference when adjusting sharpness? Wow! I'm really surprised at that! I read that for most TVs sharpness should be set to 0 since it usually only ADDS to the picture. Yet with my RCA if I get below 40 or so (on any input, including DVI) it most certainly softens/blurs the picture. It's very noticeable on both normal material and the DVE test patterns. Note -- I believe DVE mentions that on some TVs the sharpness control CAN actually blur the picture.

Even after my lasix surgery I still see little or no difference on the sharpness control until I get above 65 then it is horrible therefore I simply compromised with the setting at 32.

How interesting that we've seen such different results!

Sure is interesting, guess that is why tey offer all those cool controls to play with when we become bored! :)

Jimbo

Originally posted by Jimbo Moran
Sure is interesting, guess that is why tey offer all those cool controls to play with when we become bored! :)

Jimbo
Yup -- spent another hour playing around last night. I did another round of DVE cals, but this time with color temp set to Warm. Picture ended up pretty decent, but I still thought it was too flat for my liking. Accurate, but flat.

When I transferred those same settings from my DVD input (via component) to my cable box input (via component) I thought the picture was way too dark...

Anyone else? I know there has to be more than four RCA owners on this forum!!!! :D

pg-rider

Sounds like you had your DVD player set for "0" black level. If you have an adjustment in the DVE player for 7.5 black level, then the settings that you come up with using DVE would probably transfer well.

By the way guys, I was on a check it out mission over at CC looking for convergence and chromatic abberation problems on all the the DLPs and LCDs they carry. The RCA DLP had the least of any of them. To the point that I could say that it doesn't exist. This is a good thing.

I've owned a 50 inch RCA Scenium DLP since last December. It plays 8 hours a day and I've had no problems and the picture quality is all I could ask for.

I wouldn't hesitate a second to buy another one based on the performance of this one.

Use Cox Cable with DVI hook up and simple component hookup for scanning DVD. I use an internal antenna for PBS HD which the cable does not yet provide.

Based soley on my experience I'd recommend this TV to anyone who simply enjoys watching a tv with a great picture.

This board is made up of individuals who if cars were the topic, would never be satisfied with anything less than designer cars and top end sedans. Most of us drive Fords and Chevys and enjoy the ride and don't spend time wondering if the wood grain is real or plastic.

I'm not being critical, just reminding those coming here for the first time that what you are seeking and the words of the purists here are many times far apart in projecting a real word scenario.

Originally posted by JimP
pg-rider

Sounds like you had your DVD player set for "0" black level. If you have an adjustment in the DVE player for 7.5 black level, then the settings that you come up with using DVE would probably transfer well.
Not sure I follow completely, but I don't recall any black level settings on my DVD player (a cheapo Sony prog. scan). Will check when I get home...

Originally posted by JimP
By the way guys, I was on a check it out mission over at CC looking for convergence and chromatic abberation problems on all the the DLPs and LCDs they carry. The RCA DLP had the least of any of them. To the point that I could say that it doesn't exist. This is a good thing.
How'd you like the overall PQ though?

I'll play around with the settings tonight

Old Pirate - Nicely put.......and I do drive a Chevy:cool:

I haven't read all 34 pages of this thread - just the last 5 to 10 - so sorry if this has been answered previously. How is the SD PQ on this set?

Guz, You better keep knockin' on a lucky piece. My set has been giving me problems since Dec 2003 after it was a few months old. Well, a month ago it finally had enough consistant problems to call in a service tech. On the first visit he pulled out the lamp and reset the TV, but he did not have his NULL modem cable for his computer to get into the service code reader portion. The TV worked for a day and locked up with no picture. The next week he came out again with more info but he was still unable to connect just to diagnose the problem. Still no TV. The third week he came over with another cable and was able to get the display working again and connect to get a service code, as well as get into the on screen service menu. Still no TV and I order a SONY GWIII 60". Forth week- no call and a no show. I will call on Monday. BTW, the XBR Sony Looks Great.
I guess I am going to knock on the oak entertainment center for the Sony :) Anyone want a 50" scenium and the HD DVR when it is fixed?

Can anyone suggest a -CHEAP- DVD player that will output 1080i? From the forum I read a few do, but none of the boxes in the store mention any technical specs.

We have an Xbox, it will output 1080i games, it will play DVD's. Has anyone tried using it as a 1080i DVD player?

Originally posted by HappyWithRCA
Can anyone suggest a -CHEAP- DVD player that will output 1080i? From the forum I read a few do, but none of the boxes in the store mention any technical specs.

We have an Xbox, it will output 1080i games, it will play DVD's. Has anyone tried using it as a 1080i DVD player?

Happy -- Note that the posts in these forums are arranged by subject matter. Thus, your DVD question does not fit in this forum. I suggest that you ask your question in a new thread and post it in the DVD Players Forum. Welcome aboard.

Originally posted by gwsat
Happy -- Note that the posts in these forums are arranged by subject matter. Thus, your DVD question does not fit in this forum. I suggest that you ask your question in a new thread and post it in the DVD Players Forum. Welcome aboard.

Oop's, my bad. I assumed that since the RCA has a unique limitation not accepting a 720P on input, that discussions had pointed to 1080i as being the most appropriate, others may benefit my request. I will go elsewhere.

I also assume my Xbox question is not appropriate so I will troll elsewhere.

Thank you for pointing out my faux pas.

Happy -- I see now why you asked your question here and I have some information that may help. I got a Momitsu V880 DVD player several months ago, which has worked beautifully with my 50" RCA DLP Scenium via a DVI connection. The Momitsu is capable of upconverting to either 720p or 1080i (and to a lot of other resolutions, too). When I tried to use it at 720p I didn't get a picture, of course, because of the inability of RCA DLPs to accept 720p inputs. But when I set the Momitsu to upconvert to 1080i it produced a PQ that was wonderful. I have been very, very pleased.

The 2 Bravo series DVD players from V. Inc. also output 1080i through DVI. I use one on a front projector projecting on a 9.5 foot screen and the picture is great. The D2 corrects some ergonomic glitches in the D1. Much on info can be had on the DVD Player forum.

Here's a link to V Inc.:

http://www.vinc.com/

MIKE

Originally posted by HappyWithRCA
RCA has a unique limitation not accepting a 720P on input,

How can RCA release a product that does not accept input at it's native resolution?

So if I have a native 720p signal coming from my cable box I must have my cable box up convert it to 1080i, then have the TV convert it back to 720p? That can't be good for picture quality. Am I missing something?

Originally posted by khenault
How can RCA release a product that does not accept input at it's native resolution?


To build a cheaper unit.

So if I have a native 720p signal coming from my cable box I must have my cable box up convert it to 1080i, then have the TV convert it back to 720p? That can't be good for picture quality. Am I missing something?

Only if you buy a HD2 chip DLP from RCA. :rolleyes:

I don't know what their HD2+ chip models will do with a 720p signal.

Pictures of new product line:

http://www.rca.com/content/viewdetail/1,2811,EI700554-CI700323,00.html?

Picture of the rear connection panel on the new RCA DLP's.

RCA HD61LPW163 Key Features

61" Diagonal Screen Size*

Feature marked with an asterisk above indicates key step-up feature from the RCA HD50LPW163.

HD2+ with Digital Light ProcessingTM Light Engine
This RCA Scenium DLP TV incorporates Texas Instruments' DLP technology that 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 previous microdisplay technologies. Texas Instruments's DLP technology produces over 16 million colors and over 1,000 shades of gray with twice the contrast of many competing microdisplay technologies. Nearly a million microscopic mirrors deliver razor sharp images and a seamless picture without convergence issues or burn-in.
The latest DLP technology paired with RCA Scenium proprietary bit sequences produce incredibly clear pictures that are nothing short of stunning.

Digital Cable Ready with Integrated High Definition Tuner and Off-Air HD Tuner
Digital Cable Ready capability provides cable-ready high-definition programming with a CableCardTM and off-air reception of digital high-definition broadcasts without the need for a separate ATSC tuner or digital cable box. The cable security card is provided by the cable operator and insures nationwide portability on any compliant digital cable network throughout the United States.
Digital Hi-PixTM Picture Systems, Proprietary DLP Video Bit Sequences
Hi-Pix Picture System combines digital display technology and video optimization with updated Tru-Scan Digital Reality signal processing. Thomson's proprietary DLP bit sequences optimize the HDTV video for DLP displays, reducing color artifacts and improving picture performance.
TruScan Digital RealityTM Progressive Scan
Optimum picture performance occurs when the picture intended is the picture presented. TruScan Digital Reality intelligent signal processing recognizes incoming video signals and progressively converts them to achieve optimum digital picture performance. It also recognizes when original film sources have been modified and automatically converts the analog frame rate back to its original format to bring out the detail?a process commonly referred to as reverse 3:2 pulldown.
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.

HD Connectivity with HDMITM
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) with HDCP copy protection adds digital audio to the digital video to provide an uncompressed digital audio/video input on a convenient single cable. The convenient connection replaces the DVI-HDTV video and separate audio connections on set-top devices (via an adapter cable).
HD Connectivity with 2-Way DTVLink
Control your IEEE-1394 components via your HDTV! Just link them together via the 2-way DTVLink jacks and you can network your high-speed compatible 1394 digital components. The two-way jacks allow the audio and video signals to flow into and out from the IEEE-1394 components.
SRS TruSurround XTTM
TruSurround XT is a feature-rich virtual surround sound technology that is based on and builds upon SRS Labs' popular TruSurround technology. TruSurround XT adds three unique SRS audio enhancement techniques; Dialog Clarity, TruBass bass enhancement and SRS Labs' award-winning WOW stereo audio enhancement technology that produces an immersive sound experience from standard stereo material. By including the proprietary dialog clarity enhancement technology, TruSurround XT enables the listener to more easily and clearly understand television and movie dialog despite the competing environmental noise and sound effects of the background. Additionally, TruSurround XT features a patented cinema-like bass technology providing the perception of deeper, richer low bass tones.
Dialog Clarity - TruSurround XT includes an exciting new audio technique that acts much like a lens does for vision, bringing movie dialog into "focus" during the playback of any surround-encoded material such as DVD movies and satellite and cable television programs. Speech and center dialog becomes much clearer and crisper, making it easier to discern from today's sophisticated movie effects.

TruBass - TruSurround XT uses SRS TruBass technology to create incredible cinema-like bass from all speaker types, including headphones. This patented technique, enhances bass performance using proprietary psychoacoustic techniques. By selectively boosting a series of low bass harmonics, TruBass restores the perception of low frequency tones, providing a deep, rich bass experience.

Incredible Stereo with WOW - TruSurround XT goes a step beyond the standard TruSurround technology by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multichannel encoded material. SRS WOW technology literally "WOWs!" anyone who hears it by creating a soundstage that spreads the image upward and all around, making this a incredibly dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

TruSurround XT Headphone technology provides a surround sound listening experience over headphones. When listening to multichannel content such as DVD movies over headphones, the listening experience is fundamentally different than listening to speakers. Since the headphone speaker drivers are covering the outer ear, the listening experience differs greatly from traditional speaker playback. TruSurround XT uses patented headphone perspective curves to solve this problem and provides a non-fatiguing, immersive, home theater listening experience. TruSurround XT Headphone also delivers exceptional 3D audio from mono and stereo material.

Built-in Microsoft Windows CE Web Browser
The built-in Microsoft Windows CE Web Browser enables the user to view e-mail on full screen via Hotmail, Yahoo or other websites. The Internet can be displayed in full screen or with a digital or analog broadcast signal in a view window.
PhotoShare NetConnect
This capability features a 32-bit color processor for viewing high-resolution, full color photo images from a networked personal computer. The feature is especially attractive for users with large files of digital photos stored in their computers who wish to share very-large screen images with family and friends. Using the optional wireless keyboard (RCA KBR755TA), the user types in a simple code to access the photo files directly from the computer hard drive. The user then transfers the JPEG images to the TV screen where they can be viewed in single or multiple images in various sizes.
HDTV Recording
HDTV recording can be achieved using the new RCA Scenium DVR2160 and RCA Scenium DVR2080 hard-drive HDTV recorders via DTVLink. Both recorders provide the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward live programming so the viewer will never miss a favorite scene or disputed call in a sports contest. The DVR2160 delivers up to 80 hours of standard definition digital recording or up to 18 hours of high-definition programs while the DVR2080 provides up to 40 hours of standard definition digital recording or up to nine hours of high-definition recording. The recorders feature digital-to-digital connection for user-friendly interface through the HDTV and automatic configuration to the TV.
CinemaScreenTM Floating Picture Screen
The black borderless screen enables viewers to become immersed in the action giving the images more vibrance.
Widescreen 16:9 Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio is simply the width and height of the picture. Regular TVs use a 4:3 aspect ratio, which means the picture is a little wider than it is tall (a screen that is 20 inches wide is about 15 inches tall). When the standards were being developed for television broadcasting in 1941 by the NTSC (the National Television Standards Committee), it made sense to adopt the 4:3 aspect ratio that the film industry was using at that time.
As TVs dropped in price and people prospered in the 1950s, the movie industry had to find a way to get people out of their living rooms and back to the movie theaters. That's when they created the 16:9 aspect ratio (also called widescreeen format). When the standards for HDTV were being developed by the ATSC (Advanced Television Standards Committee), the 16:9 aspect ratio was chosen as the format for HDTV.

This widescreen format makes sense because it's much closer to the way we see. Our field of vision is actually much wider than tall because of our peripheral vision. Not only is it closer to the way we see, but the pictures are crisper and cleaner with more detail in the close-up and panoramic views.

3D-Y/C Digital Frame Comb Filter
Separates the signal into separate components, eliminating dot and edge crawl while providing better transitions between scene changes.
SYNCROSCAN PLUSTM Component Video Inputs
SYNCROSCAN PLUS component inputs automatically detect video formats 720p, 1080i, 480p and 480i without the need for user intervention.
16-Element Hybrid Lens System
First Surface Reflective Mirror
High Gain, High-Resolution Screen
1280 x 720 Pixel Screen Resolution
The crisp, lifelike picture people rave about when experiencing true HDTV is due to the resolution this technology provides. The resolution is measured by calculating the number of active lines of pixels. A pixel (which stands for picture element) is a small dot. The picture you see on your TV is composed of these dots. More pixels equals more detail.
A regular, analog television (called analog) only has a resolution of about 200,000 pixels (480 vertical pixels x 440 horizontal pixels = 211,200 pixels). The HD61LPW163 is capable of more than 900,000 pixels (1,280 x 720 = 921,600). In summary, the HD61LPW163 is capable of resolution that is better than four times the resolution of the picture on a regular, analog TV!

Anti-Reflective Screen
Adaptive, Recursive Video Noise Reduction
Noise Reduction reduces the appearance of video noise on composite video sources, giving a smoother picture.
Adjustable Color Temperature
This feature lets you set one of three automatic color adjustments: Normal for a standard picture color, Cool for more blue or Warm for more red. Color Temperature can be stored for each input.
Dynamic Color Stretch Circuitry
Contrast Expand (B&W Stretch)
Off/Low/High
Picture Presets
Picture Presets displays a choice list that lets you select one of the four preset picture settings: Vibrant, Natural, Cinematic, and Personal. You can customize your TV to fit your viewing taste and match the lighting where you watch TV After you select a setting, the contrast, color, tint, black level and sharpness and color warmth settings found under the Picture Settings menu are adjusted automatically. You can adjust different Input Jacks to different settings and the TV will automatically adjust the picture accordingly.
If you choose Personal Picture Preset, you can customize color, tint, black level, and sharpness to your desired level, and the TV saves those settings. After you've done this, you can go back into the menu and select Vibrant, Natural, Cinematic, or Personal. For example, if you normally use Personal Picture Preset but want to watch a show in Vibrant lighting, you can choose Vibrant, watch the show, and then afterwards return to your customized settings by choosing Personal Picture Preset.

160 Degrees Viewing Angle
Wide Band Video Amplifier
Broadcast Stereo Sound with dbx Noise Reduction
Television sets equipped with dbx circuitry provide enhanced stereo separation and reduced signal noise. dbx is a registered trademark of Carillon Electronics Corporation.
SAP (Second Audio Program)
When turned on, Second Audio Program plays the program's audio in a second language, if one is available. SAP is also used to broadcast a program's audio with descriptions of the video for the visually impaired. Or, SAP might contain audio which is totally unrelated to the video.
7-Band Graphic Equalizer
The seven-band graphic equalizer lets you adjust the audio frequency settings. You can select one of the seven-band Equalizer Presets or create your own personal preset. The equalizer can be changed when the Fixed/Variable Audio Output is set to Variable Output. Graphic equalizer levels for Variable Output are stored in memory in case you switch to Fixed Output then back to Variable Output.
Balance Control
Fully Enclosed Speaker System
Four front speakers -- 2 tweeters and 2 mid-range. 20 watts per channel x 2, 40 total watts audio output.
Sound LogicTM Audio Leveler
Monitors a program's audio track and limits volume excursions to a minimum and maximum volume range from current volume setting. Acting like a dynamic range limiter; it compresses the dynamic range to limit suggested volume increases (for example, the sudden increase in volume you sometimes hear when a commercial starts).
Headphone Volume Adjustment
Dolby Digital Pass-Through
If you've connected a six-channel receiver to the TV's Digital Audio Output jack with a digital optical cable, you can receive Dolby Digital surround sound if transmitted.
Auto Channel Search
The TV will search for all the TV channels available through both the cable and off-air antenna inputs. When the TV finds an active channel, it places it in the channel list. Inactive channels (weak stations or channels with no signal at all) aren't placed in the channel list.
Auto Channel Labeling
Commercial Skip
Interactive Set-up with Menus
Multilingual On-Screen Display
English/French/Spanish
One-Button Launch for Inputs
V-Chip Parental Control
The Parental Controls menu allows you to program your TV so that children cannot see certain programs or channels, or use the buttons on the front of the TV. The Parental Controls menu also involves software inside your TV (referred to as V-Chip) which lets you program your TV so it won't display certain programs and movies based on violence, sex, or other content you may believe children should not view. Once you block programs, you or other adults can unblock programs by entering a password to unlock video or enter the password to edit the features in the Parental Controls menu.
Picture Memory Presets for Video Inputs
Twin Tuner Picture-in-Picture
The PIP (Picture-In-Picture) feature lets you display a second, smaller analog (NTSC format) picture on top of the main analog picture.
Picture Freeze
Freezes entire screen, including the main picture and PIP window, if PIP is displayed.
Picture Reset
Restores the Settings to factory defaults.
LED Power ON Indicator
Clock/Sleep/Turn-On Timers
Sleep Timer is used to set the TV to turn off at a specific time. Turn-On Timer turns the TV on and off at a specific time and tunes to a specific channel.
EL Backlit 6-Device, Learning Universal Remote Control
The universal remote can be programmed to operate many brands of remote-controllable VCRs, audio components, DVD players, cable boxes, satellite receivers and other components. In addition to being programmed to operate your television, it's already programmed to operate most RCA, GE, and Proscan components.

Gold Jacks
Rear Connectors
RF Input (Antenna/Cable) - 2
Audio/Video Inputs (Composite) - 2 L&R Audio, 2 Video
S-Video Input - 2 Auto-Detectible
Component Video Input (YPrPb) - 2 SYNCROSCAN PLUS
External Center Channel Input - 60 Watt
HDMI (High Def Multimedia Interface) - 1 for 720p, 1080i, 480p
Sub Woofer Output - RCA Phono
Audio Outputs (Type) - 1 Set Menu Switchable
A/V Outputs (Composite) - 1 Set L&R Audio + Video
Optical Audio Output - SP-DIF
IEEE1394 Connector - 2 FireWire with 2-Way DTV Link
Broadband Connector - Ethernet RJ45
Center Channel / Matrix Surround Output - 3 RCA Jacks
Wired IR Control Input
Front Connectors
Audio/Video Inputs (Composite) - 1 L&R Audio, 1 Video
S-Video Input
Headphone Jack
Unit Color
Silver, Slate
Dimensions (W x H x D)
46.9" x 39.4" x 16.6"
Weight
85 lbs.

These new RCA units do look very apealing, but at 2+ times the cost of competing models, I'm not sure they'll get much market share.

Anyone out there eager to plop down $10,000 when similar models are less than $4500?

The only changes from the current year's model that I could identify from a less than thorough examination of the specs that Paul posted are the second generation light engine and the replacement of the DVI port with an HDMI port. Is the "Anti-Reflective Screen" new, too?

The anti-reflective screen was on some of the old models such as the ones sold at Best Buy. The new sets also have a cable card slot and one HDMI input (as opposed to a DVI input). The $10,000 list price is only for the super thin 61" DLP. I don't thing that price point will hold at all. The conventional DLP models I'm sure have a competitive price.

Has anyone notice how loud the fan or colorwheel assembly is on there tv?
hdlp61w151?
mine is very loud

Originally posted by dtv123
Has anyone notice how loud the fan or colorwheel assembly is on there tv?
hdlp61w151?
mine is very loud

It does make some noise, but my 50" RCA DLP doesn't sound any louder than my NEC HT-1000 FP. However, if the sound of your set has got louder recently (as opposed to how it sounded when new) it could be an indication of a problem.

MIKE

i just bought the tv last week the tech from rca says its suppose to be like that

Originally posted by dtv123
i just bought the tv last week the tech from rca says its suppose to be like that

It's just a characteristic of DLP technology. The solution: Get a good, loud home theater audio system and drown it out!

MIKE

Originally posted by mraub
It does make some noise, but my 50" RCA DLP doesn't sound any louder than my NEC HT-1000 FP. However, if the sound of your set has got louder recently (as opposed to how it sounded when new) it could be an indication of a problem.

MIKE

Mike -- I have the same set and it is a bit louder at times than at others. On a few occasions it has been very loud -- so much so that when I told my dealer's tech about it, he talked to RCA and they are going to replace the light engine. When it is working normally, though, it is so quiet that I can't hear it with the TV sound set at a normal level; the sound of the air coming through the HVAC vent keeps me from hearing the TV's internal noise,even with no audio.

Originally posted by dtv123
i just bought the tv last week the tech from rca says its suppose to be like that
Bull!

And it's not a characteristic of DLP. It may indicate RCA's attitude toward their customers. Other companies replace noisy fans and color wheels in DLP, LCD and LCoS sets.

My DLP set is silent enough that I couldn't tell you if the fans or color wheel are spinning. Oh my gosh, I wonder if they are. ;)

Originally posted by htwaits
Bull!

And it's not a characteristic of DLP. It may indicate RCA's attitude toward their customers. Other companies replace noisy fans and color wheels in DLP, LCD and LCoS sets.

My DLP set is silent enough that I couldn't tell you if the fans or color wheel are spinning. Oh my gosh, I wonder if they are. ;)

Wouldn't it be fairer to conclude that there seems to be some inconsistency in RCA's policies -- or that DTV123 caught an RCA tech rep who is dumber than a rock? Recall that RCA agreed to replace the light engine in my RCA DLP on the strength of my word alone. That seems to be pretty good customer support to me. Although, part of the reason for RCA's responsiveness is probably related to my having bought my set from a guy who has been an RCA dealer and maintained an RCA service center for more than 25 years. By the way, I agree that a normally operating fan-color wheel assembly should be unobtrusively quiet.

Originally posted by gwsat
Wouldn't it be fairer to conclude that there seems to be some inconsistency in RCA's policies -- or that DTV123 caught an RCA tech rep who is dumber than a rock?

Yes. But a lot of negative comment about RCA has to do with either "denial" or "unavailable" parts.

Recall that RCA agreed to replace the light engine in my RCA DLP on the strength of my word alone. That seems to be pretty good customer support to me.

It is especially if it is common practice by RCA.

Although, part of the reason for RCA's responsiveness is probably related to my having bought my set from a guy who has been an RCA dealer and maintained an RCA service center for more than 25 years.

The first line of defense for a consumer it a good dealer and paying more for one seems better to me than going for the cheapest price available.

By the way, I agree that a normally operating fan-color wheel assembly should be unobtrusively quiet.

To be sure. :)

htwaits -- As usual, we seem to be pretty much in agreement. :)

Additional article on new RCA DLP line:

http://news.designtechnica.com/article5248.html

I am definately interested in the 163. Any info on when these are coming out?

Hitting stores this week.

Sweet. If anyone works at a B&M store or happens to see one please post your impressions.

Over the noon hour today I went to the TV and appliance store where I bought my 50" RCA DLP to pick up a part for my daughter's stove. I learned a couple of things of interest from the proprietor when I asked him about the new RCA DLP sets:
(1) He does not have any of the second generation RCA DLPs yet and fears that it may be a month before he gets any. I understand because I bought one of the first two he got last October and he didn't get any more until nearly Christmas.
(2) RCA has reduced the MSRP of the remaining first generation 50" DLPs by $500 and my guy's dealer cost by $200.

TCL-Thomson Combo Names Execs, Discusses Plans In TV

By Steve Smith -- TWICE, 9/10/2004 7:44:00 AM

Indianapolis — TCL-Thomson Electronics (TTE), the newly-formed combination of television businesses from TCL and Thomson, took the occasion of CEDIA Expo to announce the appointments of Greg Bosler as executive VP, North America Profit Center, and Bharath Rajagopalan as general manager, product marketing.

In a prepared statement issued yesterday, Al Arras, president of TTE, said, “We are confident that the broad scope of experience and industry know-how that Greg and Bharath bring to their new positions will significantly enhance TTE's goal of delivering advanced, high-quality HDTVs to the mainstream consumer through a strengthened product portfolio for the RCA brand in North America.”

Bosler is an 18-year CE veteran who served in marketing, sales and management positions for Thomson. Immediately prior to assuming his new post, he was VP/Americas TV Profit Center for Thomson's worldwide television manufacturing business. As executive VP for TTE, Bosler is responsible for the financial performance, strategic planning, product planning/marketing and distribution of RCA and RCA Scenium-branded color TVs sold in North America.

Rajagopalan has 20 years of technical and management experience in the electronics industry, having spent his career with IBM and Texas Instruments (TI). His most recent assignment prior to joining TTE was senior manager for Consumer Projection Products with TI’s DLP Products Group. In his new job Rajagopalan is responsible for executing product strategy and developing marketing programs designed to drive profitable growth in the North American TV marketplace.

In informal remarks during a press dinner last night, Bosler said that this is “an exciting time to be in the HDTV business” and that the 200 TTE employees have been operating at U.S. headquarters, here, for a month. Bosler noted that the TCL brand is “well-known and respected” in Asia and that the combination of Thomson and TCL assets “on a global scale is a formidable combination.”

TTE will specialize initially in the color TV display business, and Bosler said that such video products as DVD and others are not part of the operation now but could be later on.

TTE is anxious to begin shipping its digital cable-ready RCA Scenium-brand Profiles DLP sets, which feature a 6.85-inch depth and weigh 130 pounds. The Profiles line, introduced at International CES in January, comes in a 61-inch unit with a suggested retail of $9,999, and 50-inch and 70-inch models.

Developed in cooperation with high-end display manufacturer InFocus, more details on the distribution, marketing and pricing of the line will be available later this month, Bosler said. He noted, “At last year’s CEDIA Expo [Thomson] showed one DLP. Between the Profiles line and our standard DLP lineup we have [more than] ten DLPs at this year’s show for 2004.”

I am looking for a 2nd set to replace an aging 36" RCA tube TV. The new RCA 44" DLP (HD44LPW165) appears to have all the features, technology and price range I am looking for in a 2nd set. I already have a 65" Mitsubishi Diamond Select CRT RPTV so I am not looking for another large nor overly expensive set, which immediately rules out some of the nicer 50" and 52" sets. I have narrowed my selection down to the Samsung 46" DLP, Sony 42" LCD, and now the RCA 44" DLP. The Samsung and Sony are both nice sets, however both lack all the features I am looking for:

Sumsung 46' DLP (HL-P4663W) - Excellent PQ, I like the technology, price, size, and reliability of this set. However, it lack an integrated ATSC, QAM tuner and firewire.

Sony 42' LCD (KDF-42WE655) - Best PQ (based on last years KF-42WE610), reliable Sony name, right size, right price, has almost all the features I am looking for. However, I'm undecided about the LCD technology, it lacks firewire/iLink (why? - I don't know!), and cosmetically I don't like the side speakers. Also, the set may be a bit too small. I'm surprised they don't make something between the 42" and 50" model.

RCA 44" DLP (HD44LPW165) - This is the great unknown! This set has all the features, technology and price that I am looking for. However, am much as I have enjoyed our 36" RCA tube TV the past 8 years, I am wary of the RCA Scenium brand. I am ready to buy a 2nd set within the month and I leading toward the Sony or Samsung.

Should I wait on the above RCA Scenium? Like I said, if I were looking for a near perfect set, then I believe I have already found it with my Mitsubishi Diamond Select CRT RPTV. However, I am looking for a 2nd set that has all the feature, price and size I am looking for. The most critical factors are:

- Rock solid reliability
- Features (size, technology, firewire, integrated ATSC/QAM tuner)
- Picture Quality (I obviously want the best PQ, but willing to sacrifice the "best" PQ for reliability and features).

Is the RCA Scenium a serious competitor versus the Sony and Samsung DLPs

The RCA DLPs have been out for about a year from what I have read there has been mixed reviews about its reliability. The people who have not had an problems with it have commended the set for its picture quality. For people who have had problems it is a mixed bag, some get resolved and some are very frustrated with RCA service. To me the jury is still out since I also like the RCA features but I am still worried about its dependability based upon their prior record with sets of other technologies. About three years ago RCA produced a LCoS RPTV that they abandoned and some people claim they have RCA sets only three years old and they cannot find parts for it. I would not buy an RCA TV without an extended warranty, but the price of the warranty somewhat negates the price savings.

PaulGo,

Thanks for your reply! You basically confirmed what I was thinking. While I do indeed like all the features of the new RCAs, they appears to have a mixed bag of reliability issues. Only time will tell...and I am not willing to wait that long.

Any spotting of HD2+ RCA in B&Ms? I am running around Frys, BB and other places but no luck in DFW area.

Any sightings of the new RCA DLPs in the DC area?

pretty odd -- seems like these are no where to be found. oh wait, it's RCA.

Anyone see 'em?

I just saw the new RCA DLP at Best Buy (Pentagon City, VA). The just put it out and did not have a tag on it. The styling is slightly different from the old model (it has a mirror panel about 2" wide below the non-glare screen). I was impressed with the picture. To me the older model never that the color saturation I liked. This new model was situated next to the Samsung 46" HLP and the picture quality in a bright light setting appears almost identical. I feel RCA has made a significant improvement in picture quality. The only question left unanswered is whether it accepts 720p signals from the DVI and component inputs.

Originally posted by PaulGo
... The only question left unanswered is whether it accepts 720p signals from the DVI and component inputs.

You didn't ask your BB sales person? ;)

"You didn't ask your BB sales person?"

:D You have a good sense of humor!!

Originally posted by PaulGo
I just saw the new RCA DLP at Best Buy (Pentagon City, VA). The just put it out and did not have a tag on it. The styling is slightly different from the old model (it has a mirror panel about 2" wide below the non-glare screen). I was impressed with the picture. To me the older model never that the color saturation I liked. This new model was situated next to the Samsung 46" HLP and the picture quality in a bright light setting appears almost identical. I feel RCA has made a significant improvement in picture quality. The only question left unanswered is whether it accepts 720p signals from the DVI and component inputs.

I can confirm that this issue is solved on the new RCA models.

riffjim4069, I like the 44" too. I wish that more manufacturers would make some smaller DLPs too. For me this has all the features, DLP2+, cable card, and HDMI. I'm willing to go up to 46" but the next gen sammys just seem to be vaporware and their features don't seem to be solidified yet. I don't think there's any other 44"-46" DLP set with these features. I hope that quality is not an issue cause I'm really leaning towards this set....

Originally posted by The Big Dog
I can confirm that this issue is solved on the new RCA models.
I don't doubt you but can you provide more information? Do you know the characteristics of the color wheel RCA is using?

I am not sure what more info you want to know on 720p. The big issue last year was that the HD-decoder (carried over from CRT) didn't support 720p due to whatever. Since they had more time, and a lot of complaints from last year, they fixed it. It always worked thru the built-in tuner, but now it also works via Y/Pr/Pb (aka component) and via HDMI (DVI is so 'last-year' ) :o

On the color wheel, I think it is pretty much the same as last year, since it is using the HD2+ device. As I recall, it was 6-segment and 4x frame rate. Are there some specific items you wanted to know?

My set at home is connected to Insight Cable using the built-in CableCard, and it makes a very nice picture. Unfortunately, Insight doesn't carry all the local channels in HD (Fox and the independents are not available). Pix quality on HD (Monday Night Football, CBS NFL stuff, and ESPNHD) is pretty stunning. Unfortunately, it varies a lot depending on the cameras and the encoders. Stuff from the Blimp looks pretty ugly.

The BIG DOG

Originally posted by The Big Dog
On the color wheel, I think it is pretty much the same as last year, since it is using the HD2+ device. As I recall, it was 6-segment and 4x frame rate.

That's a shame. Their competition (except Samsung's HLPxx74 series :( ) has gone to seven and eight element color wheels which seem to provide better color rendition.

Are there some specific items you wanted to know?

I just wondered where you were getting your information. I have expected RCA to upgrade their DVI/HDMI and component inputs but I haven't been able to find any confirmation that they have done so.

Stuff from the Blimp looks pretty ugly.

That along with the the commercials and replay cameras is usually SD.

Thanks for the information.

"I just wondered where you were getting your information."

I believe Big Dog works for RCA.

Originally posted by PaulGo
"I just wondered where you were getting your information."

I believe Big Dog works for RCA.
Ahhh, that Big Dog. :)

Then the next question I'm interested in would be about the controls needed to do an ISF calibration. Some time ago there was a magazine review of several HDTV sets. The author commented that they were unable to do an ISF calibration on the RCA because there were no appropriate controls available.

Is there any information about RCA's new models and SM controls? Will ISF calibration be possible?

Originally posted by The Big Dog

On the color wheel, I think it is pretty much the same as last year, since it is using the HD2+ device. As I recall, it was 6-segment and 4x frame rate. Are there some specific items you wanted to know?


The BIG DOG

You are sure about the 6-segment color wheel, since if the new sets use the HD2+ chip set it must be paired with a 7-segment color wheel. The old HD2 only uses 6:confused:

Originally posted by twohype
You are sure about the 6-segment color wheel, since if the new sets use the HD2+ chip set it must be paired with a 7-segment color wheel.
The HD2+ chip can be used with 3, 6, 7, 8 or other combinations of elements in a color wheel.

Samsung is also coming out with the "74" series with the same "HD2/six element wheel" combination. It allows them to use the same light engine they used in the HLN/HLM lines. The chips are identical except for the reduced dimple in the HD2+ chip. The seven or eight element color wheels are given credit for improving detail in dark scenes, and over all color improvement along with reduced dithering.

Originally posted by htwaits
The HD2+ chip can be used with 3, 6, 7, 8 or other combinations of elements in a color wheel.

Samsung is also coming out with the "74" series with the same "HD2/six element wheel" combination. It allows them to use the same light engine they used in the HLN/HLM lines. The chips are identical except for the reduced dimple in the HD2+ chip. The seven or eight element color wheels are given credit for improving detail in dark scenes, and over all color improvement along with reduced dithering.

Does the SCENIUM HD61LPW162 use a 7 element color wheel? If it is 6 does it spin at 9000rpms like the "74" series ?

"Does the SCENIUM HD61LPW162 use a 7 element color wheel? If it is 6 does it spin at 9000rpms like the "74" series ?"

I'll bet that all standard size RCA DLPs use the same colorwheel and light engine. It would be too expensive to use different components. Now the slim 7" thick RCA DLP's use a completely different light engine but I haven't read anything about the color wheel. The specs should be the same as the Infocus model since the designed the light engine for all RCA DLPs.

I am happy to see RCA coming out with great looking sets that have many useful features.

Yesterday I was at another Best Buy in Maryland. They had the new 50" RCA DLP next to the 50" Samsung "Kirk" pedestal model. It was in a subdued light setting - the picture on both of them looked excellent. If I were just looking at the screens of both of them I would not be able to tell that it was made by a different manufacturer. In terms of picture quality "thumbs up" for RCA (at least for me).

Originally posted by PaulGo
Yesterday I was at another Best Buy in Maryland. They had the new 50" RCA DLP next to the 50" Samsung "Kirk" pedestal model. It was in a subdued light setting - the picture on both of them looked excellent. If I were just looking at the screens of both of them I would not be able to tell that it was made by a different manufacturer. In terms of picture quality "thumbs up" for RCA (at least for me).

I agree the picture on the new RCA's looks great. Obvoiusly an outstanding improvement over the older RCA's:D . Anyone know were I can find the official details spec's on the new RCA's, like how many segments are on it's color wheel etc?

This may be difficult to find since RCA done not like to publish detailed technical specifications. If the Big Dog is reading this thread he may be able to respond or point you to a technical file.

What I'd like to see are dimensions on the various sets. Having width limitations, I like the look of the RCA 44", but I haven't been able to find any information on just what size it is. Grrrrr.....

Scott

PaulGo

How much was the new 50" RCA at Best Buy?

Has anyone seen it for sale online?

Thanks!
Sean
(Another hlp5674w refugee)

I didn't pay that much attention to the price but I think it was around $3000 for the 50". But they are always running sales and I could be wrong.

PaulGo,
Which BestBuy has the new 50"?

Did the Pentagon City one have it?

Thanks!
Sean

Originally posted by seantyler
PaulGo,
Which BestBuy has the new 50"?

Did the Pentagon City one have it?

Thanks!
Sean

I saw it at both Pentagon City, VA and Gaithersburg, MD.

When I was at the Pentagon City store the had they Samsung and the RCA about 6" off the floor. Not the best way to display DLP technology because of its limited vertical viewing angle. I had to bend down to properly view these sets.

My wife thanks you!

Sean

BestBuy in Pentagon City does not have the new RCA model....

And they had the "RU" LG 50" DLP with coax input.... which looked very bad.

The new "DU" LG 50" is on my short list... so it was a bad trip to BestBuy with my wife.

The do have the new RCA (as of Friday) it is not with the rest of the RPTV's but with the Plasma sets opposite the Samsung 50" "Kirk". The did not have a price sticker on the set. (it has a 2" mirror running across the TV right under the screen. I know because I peeled off the protective coating covering the mirror and almost broke my nail.)

Interesting article on TI DLP production (also mentions LCoS).

http://www.investors.com/editorial/tech.asp?v=9/25

Originally posted by seantyler
BestBuy in Pentagon City does not have the new RCA model....

And they had the "RU" LG 50" DLP with coax input.... which looked very bad.

The new "DU" LG 50" is on my short list... so it was a bad trip to BestBuy with my wife.

BB in laurel has the HD50LPW162 on display. The BB in Columbia does not have any one thier salesmen said the new RCA will be out in two weeks (what a fool :eek: ) oh well I thinking about picking up the HD61LPW162 because the price (and it's got both the QAM and ATSC tuners :D ) plus I'm tried of waiting for the Tosh 94 series:( . Of course I'll be buying at the Laurel Md Bestbuy since the one 9in Columbia Md is nuts. But be before I buy I need to check out the HD50LPW162 abit more and see more low level specs.

Some pictures...

Ultra-Thin RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV

http://www.rca.com/content/viewdetail/1%2C2811%2CEI700554-CI700323%2C00.html

After seeing these pictures... I remeber seeing the new RCA at the Pentagon BestBuy. It was not pluged in... And I didn't realize it was a DLP because it was next to the plasmas...

The sales person that I talked to... who seem to know a lot about it told me that it was not there.

"It was not pluged in... And I didn't realize it was a DLP because it was next to the plasmas... "

It was plugged in and fully operational on Friday.

BB in plano, TX has new RCA setup as of last week. The sales kid also mentioned the BB warehouse @ DFW airport has some in stock an can be delivered within two days.

The BB in my area has HD50LPW162 for $3K and if you have BB card BB can take additional 10% off + zero % fin. for six month or 24 moths with full price of 3K.

The HD50THW262 is $3K???

Originally posted by seantyler
The HD50THW262 is $3K???

The HD50LPW162 sorry about confusion.

Originally posted by jagman2010
The BB in my area has HD50LPW162 for $3K and if you have BB card BB can take additional 10% off + zero % fin. for six month or 24 moths with full price of 3K.

I just bite the bullet and bought a HD50LPW162 at BB. I got approx 7% off plus 24 months 0% :D . At that price and that size I think it's decent deal. But I still like the Toshiba DLP PQ abit better - oh well - the price - won me over ;).

HD61LPW42 at samsclub .com good deal???

Originally posted by jojo57
HD61LPW42 at samsclub .com good deal???
Best Buy *HAD* it for $100 less than what Sams Club is showing, however when I was in BB the other day all they had was a 50" so availability might be an issue. If you can find one though I bet you can get it for $2500 easy. Much better than the $3600 I paid for mine back in March at BB! :D The 3yr warranty from Sams Club is a good price though...

Got my 61LPW42 at BB's major competitor for under $2300 about a month ago on a closeout. What a terrific set it is so far. Sam's Club's price is good but you can certainly do better if you shop around.

Dave

Originally posted by pg_rider
Best Buy *HAD* it for $100 less than what Sams Club is showing, however when I was in BB the other day all they had was a 50" so availability might be an issue. If you can find one though I bet you can get it for $2500 easy. Much better than the $3600 I paid for mine back in March at BB! :D The 3yr warranty from Sams Club is a good price though...

Does Sams Club warrenty cover the lamp

Anybody know the timelines for the 165 Series e.g. the HD44LPW165 are scheduled to hit the streets?