RCA HDxxLPW162 / HDxxLPW163 Owners Thread

[luebster]

In the spirit of all the other owners threads, I'm starting one for owners of the new HD2+ RCAs.

I'm picking up my HD50LPW162 from Best Buy on 11/27.

Are there any quirks I should know about? Has anyone determined if you can access the service menu? Does a service menu even exist?

I'll make an attempt at posting pictures of the set in its new home just as soon as I get it set up and get a digital source on it. If anyone else has the 162 or 163, post some pics of your setup. I'm like a kid at Christmas...I can't wait to pick up my set.

[Low Roller]

What's the difference between the 162's and 163's?

[luebster]

The most obvious difference is the 162s have a popular RPTV cabinet-style: speakers placed in the base of the cabinet, with screen above, which is surrounded by a narrow (1/2" or so) gray/slate-colored bezel.

The 163s have what RCA is calling a "floating screen" whereby the screen is actually mounted to the surface of the cabinet, so that it protrudes about 1/2" giving it the illusion of floating.

It is very slick looking and I actually prefer this to the 162. However, I can't seem to locate a reputable dealer (local or online) that is selling the 50 incher. In fact, RCA has removed it from their website (if it was even on there to begin with...I don't recall). I know they (will) exist...google HD50LPW163 and it's there...

At any rate, the 163 adds:

• Firewire ports
• NetConnect (a Windows CE based web browser)

I think that's about it. The rest of the internals (DLP chip, light engine, color wheel, etc etc) should all be the same...I didn't look too much more into the 163s, because only the 61" is for sale at this time (from what I can tell) and that won't fit into the 48" space I have available in the armoire in which it's going.

I am also a fan of the 74 series from Samsung, but the RCA is 4" bigger and at least $500 cheaper. Essentially, what I'm doing is giving the RCA a test drive. If it seems lacking somehow in the next 30 days (well, 26 now), I'll return it to BB and then I'll buy the Samsung.

I hope this helps.

[njx3]

I have been told that the noise from the fan on the RCA's is enough to eliminate them from my final list of DLP's.

Any truth to this? Obviously, RCA owners weren't fazed. Has anyone returned an RCA because of the fan?

Thanks.

[luebster]

I'll let you know...I am supposed to pick mine up today, but naturally BB claims they don't have it..."It should be on our truck later today."

Gee, thanks. You could have told me that BEFORE I made the 30 minute drive.

[luebster]

Well, I finally was able to pick up the TV today (11/29). However, we have a painter in the house, so I am unable to set it up for now.

I'll set it up, post some pictures and give my initial impressions just as soon as I can.

[Suzook]

I was fortunate enough to get mine last Tuesday and have had several days to play with it. I had a first gen 61 that went bad after 10 months and BB swapped it out for the new one much to my surprise. Needless to say I like the set much more than the first gen. From picture to menus its a vast improvement. I am running BHN pace box via dvi with an HDMI adaptor. The new DVR boxes with HDMI come out next month and I am on the list. Picture wise its more of an evolutionary approach than revolutionary but I concur after looking at all of the models they had I came back to the rca everytime. Not to mention because of a very decent price difference as well. I am not waiting for the Samsung 941 to appear and I will be a happy camper unless another HDMI dvd player comes out. I am happy to provide pics if anyone would like or answer specific questions. Also I DO NOT notice the fans to be any louder than the first gen....

Cheers

[profjoe]

Suzook -- doe sthis model finally accept its native resolution via DVI and/or component?

(Do you have a cable box or Xbox that will output 720p to do the experiment?)

Thanks.

Joe

[Suzook]

I can confirm that it does accept native resolution !!!!!!!!!!!

[profjoe]

Yeah! I might have to go look at it now

[twohype]

I purchased my HD61LPW162 from Best Buy on 9/27/04. I think that it is a great value for the price (and of course I got a great deal) . The cable card function works pretty good and XBOX game (via component) looks great. It also functions great as a 61 inch PC monitor (which is now my primary display) with my ATI 9800 pro and HD dongle. Ya the fan is abit noisy and startup/shut down takes longer than I like, but overall this set is simply outstanding period. I love the fact that set can be updated, I updated to the latest firm/SW and now the one HD channel that I was having issues with comes in clear as a bell . Anyone else update thier HD61LPW162. Also is Bestbuy the only retail (non-internet) store that sells the HD61LPW162 or do other retail stores carry it?

[twohype]

Originally posted by njx3
I have been told that the noise from the fan on the RCA's is enough to eliminate them from my final list of DLP's.

Any truth to this? Obviously, RCA owners weren't fazed. Has anyone returned an RCA because of the fan?

Thanks.

It's really not to bad If possible go to Bestbuy and check it out

[tooniverse]

Is it pronounced "see-nee-um" or "sen-nee-um" ?

[Suzook]

Dont know how I overlooked this but this set no longer has the web browser..bummer

[Low Roller]

Originally posted by twohype
It also functions great as a 61 inch PC monitor (which is now my primary display) with my ATI 9800 pro and HD dongle.

Great! What resolution are you running? How much overscan is there?(any pics? )

Do you have a DVI----->HDMI cable/adapter or plan on getting one? I'd like to find out if/how well this set functions as a PC monitor through the HDMI input.

I saw one of these sets at BB,(the smaller one) it was just hooked up. It had a great picture.

[twohype]

Originally posted by Low Roller
Great! What resolution are you running? How much overscan is there?(any pics? )

Do you have a DVI----->HDMI cable/adapter or plan on getting one? I'd like to find out if/how well this set functions as a PC monitor through the HDMI input.

I saw one of these sets at BB,(the smaller one) it was just hooked up. It had a great picture.

NO overscan at 1216 by 696 using the beta catalyst 12 drivers which allow for custom resolutions (for component). The HD dongle works on the DVI port and of course it's using a component hookup

[forkball]

I got my 51" 162 3 weeks ago. Few quirks...

In 4x3 aspect mode the image is a bit pinched/skewed. Meaning that in 4x3 the image is slightly wider at the top and bottom then in the middle. Its about 1/8 inch. I had a BB tech out to look at it and he said some BS that it was normal and if I was not satisfied to return it.

Also the fan noise. I have come to realize that all, and I mean all, HD2+ sets are high on the fan noise Richter scale! I have seen/had the Panasonic, Mits, RCA, and Sammy. All had fan noise that was higher then a set with the HD3 chip. THe HD2+ might use a brighter bulb or something that requires the extra cooling. The Mits particularly sounded like a turbine engine and has a fan that stays on all the time after the set is powered off. Anyway, the RCA I feel is the lowest of the HD2+ chip sets out there. Also because of the cabinet design it lends itself easily for me to build a simple wooden shield to divert all fan noise to the rear of the set and dampen it at the same time. However, from a normal viewing distance the noise is not noticeable to me or I am becoming use to it? Either way I want a set with the HD2+ so I have to deal with it I guess.

I am a techie person and would love to be able to access the service menu which as the end owner I feel I am fully entitled to do. Its a shame that RCA makes it so damn hard to do so! I still, after extensive searching, have not found out if its even possible much less how to access the menu. I would suspect that my 1/8 inch skew could be instantly corrected from the SM.

Aside from those issues, being the negatives, the positives are many. I love the menu system and all of the user controllable settings. I like that each input retains its own picture settings and the personal settings are per input as well. Since SD TV is poor, I tend to have vary different pic settings then while watching a movie and different still if its day time or night time. Also you have to love the ethernet connection on the rear of the set. Everything in the house should just use ethernet! I wish I could force it to go to the net and check for updates to the firmware, but alas, its not meant to be. I like the fact that the set's speakers can be used as the front channel speaker. I personally do not do this but for the average person it would do nicely.

Its odd but the plastics used in this set are very high quality. If you can compare them to the Panny DLP. There is no comparison. Tactilely they feel nicer and frankly they feel stronger. Granted the TV is not being deployed in a war zone, but still, stuff like that makes me feel good that I bought the best set I could find.

Overall, great set. Hopefully someone here find out or knows how to get into the damn service menu.

[gwsat]

Originally posted by njx3
I have been told that the noise from the fan on the RCA's is enough to eliminate them from my final list of DLP's.

Any truth to this? Obviously, RCA owners weren't fazed. Has anyone returned an RCA because of the fan?

I have had a first generation 50" RCA DLP for thirteen months and have found fan (actually both the fan and the color wheel spin) noise not to be a problem. With the TV sound on it is inaudible. Even with the sound muted and just the heat or air conditioning running it is virtually inaudible. In short, I wouldn't worry about it.

[luebster]

Originally posted by forkball
Since SD TV is poor...

What is the source of your SD? And by poor, do you mean worse than what you were used to with a CRT?

I'll have my 50" 162 set up later tonight and connected to an HDTiVo. I can't freaking wait. And while it looks gorgeous still sitting on the family room floor in the bottom tray of the cardboard box in which it came, it will look much nicer in the armoire.

[tooniverse]

SD is *not* poor with the RCA, in fact, I dare say it is the best SD I've ever seen from a rear-projection. It beats out Sony's Grand WEGA series which many believe to be great with SD.
SD in full-screen mode on the RCA via DirecTV is television bliss.

[RBenson]

Originally posted by forkball
I got my 51" 162 3 weeks ago. Few quirks...



Overall, great set. Hopefully someone here find out or knows how to get into the damn service menu.

Press and hold menu and either channel down or volume down (can't remember which) for several seconds with TV running. Be Careful!!!!

Select service menu

Use volume up button to raise value (V to 76 for service adjustments
Set value to 80 for test patterns. Set value to 90 for lamp hours

[forkball]

I did get into the menu. I was unable to correct the skew issue I have through it though. Its very weird that you have to up the V vaule to those numbers to access other items. Anyway, do you know how I would adjust the right and left sides of a 4x3 image to even it out?

Thanks in advance.

[luebster]

Well, just a quick post to let y'all know that my HD50LPW162 has been set up (along with an HR10-250 HD DirecTiVo) and it is GORGEOUS! I absolutely love the picture on this thing OOTB. I can't wait until I have a chance to record the HDNet test pattern to adjust the picture.

I also plan to use AVIA to adjust the picture on the DVD player input (component).

I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow (sorry, black tie affair tonight) and get them posted along with some of my first impressions.

[PythonNF]

I've had my HD50LPW162 for about a week now and I must say I'm very impressed with the picture quality and features. I tried to access the service menu using menu+vol down and menu+channel down with no success. What exactly are key presses?

_________________
Brian

[forkball]

Turn the TV on. From the controls on the set, press the Menu button and hold it while pressing the button right next to it, I believe its Vol down. Then you will get a sub menu on the screen, arrow down, from the remote, to the Service Adjustments sub-menu, and follow the instructions posted above.

[PythonNF]

The menu button and vol are not adjacent on my remote. The nearest button to the menu button is the arrow/ok pad. I've tried pressing menu+vol down with no result

[RBenson]

Originally posted by forkball
Turn the TV on. From the controls on the set, press the Menu button and hold it while pressing the button right next to it, I believe its Vol down. Then you will get a sub menu on the screen, arrow down, from the remote, to the Service Adjustments sub-menu, and follow the instructions posted above.

Menu and Channel down buttons on TV itself. Once in the menu you can use the remote to adjust. Have not had a chance to look at menu for a little while . Don't believe you can adjust much as far as linearity etc.

[10sne1]

For those of you that have the HDxxLPW162... how does it compare to the Samsung 4674? I'm very curious as I want a DLP with the HD2+ chip but I can't go too wide. The Sammy is only 40" wide while the RCA is 47". Also, do you know of any other sets with the HD2+ besides the Toshiba 46HM94 (53" wide), Panny 50DL54 (56" wide), Mits 52725 (50" wide... but I here has a glare problem). Thanks!

[luebster]

I've had my HD50LPW162 set up and in use for about 4 days now. I must say that I am absolutely thrilled with this set.

Connected to the set is an HDTiVo using HDMI (DirecTV), an OTA antenna (split, running both to the HDTiVo and to the set directly), and a cheapo APEX prog-scan DVD player using component.

OOTB, the HD picture is fantastic. A bit too bright (the pq preset is on Vibrant...meant for showroom floors and/or very brightly lit rooms), but easily corrected in the menus. I'm recording the HDNet test patterns Tuesday morning, so I'll be able to properly adjust the HDMI input PQ. Note: each of the inputs are individually adjustable. I'll be using the AVIA disc to adjust the component inputs around the same time.

I watched the first half of the Steelers/Jaguars game on ESPNHD and I am still amazed at the incredible detail you can clearly see in every shot: the perforations in the player's jerseys, the blades of grass on the field, the enormity of Joe Theismann's ego . Needless to say, I am thrilled so far with the HD PQ.

What I am even more impressed with is the SD PQ. Before I bought this set, I had read horror stories from nearly everyone that DLPs are horrible with SD. Well, that's just not true. In fact, the SD PQ is just as good, if not better than on my 8 year old 32" Philips CRT and my 2 yr old 27" JVC flat-screen CRT. And I think they both have phenomenal pictures. SD PQ: better than I expected!

DVD playback is equally impressive. I haven't done any thorough testing, but I can't tell the difference in PQ between interlaced and progressive. That's probably because I'm using a cheap DVD player, but like I said, the PQ is excellent already.

Some things I haven't tried yet, but will very soon:

• Calibration using Avia/HDNet test patterns
• Gaming console PQ
• Gaming console lag (reported heavily in Samsung threads)
• A/V sync issues (have none to this point, but I'm using TV speakers for now)

Some other things to keep in mind about this set:

• Has Ethernet port (firmware can be upgraded)
• Built in HDTV tuner (and CableCard slot...I don't need it, but maybe you do)
• Digital optical audio output
• Can be had for considerably less than a smaller Samsung

To sum up, the HD PQ is stellar, the SD PQ is very good and much better than I expected, and I have not experienced any A/V issues, such as sync problems, rainbows, eye fatigue, etc.

All in all, a great set to this point. I still have some more input devices to add and an A/V receiver to connect (for the all important DD 5.1!), but I don't anticipate any problems, based on my experience to this point.

I have no desire to tell anyone what to buy, but I decided originally to "test drive" the RCA from BB for 3 weeks or so and if I wasn't thrilled with it, I would return it for a refund and order a Samsung 74.

I'm keeping the RCA

[10sne1]

Thanks Chris. That helps a ton. I think I'm going to do the same... save the money (perhaps to get a better DVD player) and go with the RCA. If you do end up running into any problems, if you could post them that would be great!