Digital Trends

RCA HDLP50W151

August 11th, 2004 | by Dennis Barker

Features and Design

The HDLP50W151 includes three television tuners: NTSC (for regular TV broadcasts), ATSC (for over-the-air HD broadcasts), and QAM (for “in-the-clear” cable HD broadcasts). 

Consumer DLP presently uses a single-chip design, which means no convergence problems (like CRT Television) or phosphor burn in problems (like plasma displays).  DLP projectors have the capability of displaying images up to HD quality of 1,280 x 720 pixels for true 720p (p = progressive) native HD resolution.  RCA's model HDLP50W151 uses TI's Mustang II HD2 chip that offers an HD resolution of 1280x720 or 720p.  TI's HD-2 optical semiconductor 16:9 chips use in excess of 1,300,000 digital microscopic mirrors (DMDs) that build a digital image by switching on/off more than 50,000 times a second via a digitally controlled light beam source. 

Unlike many rear projection televisions today, the HDLP50W151 is a tabletop model with a depth of less than 16-inches, and weighs about 90 lbs.  So, it can easily fit into many living/family rooms.  It can sit upon its optional base (RDLP50MD2 priced at $449) that features storage for up to four components, or on any base that can hold a 50-inch tabletop TV.  As previously noted, the HDLP50W151 displays HD images at 720p, has a brightness level of 900 cd/m2, and a contrast ratio of 800:1.  Its DLP light engine was designed by InFocus, and it uses a 16-element lens system along with a 6-segment color wheel.  To help display HD images, the set employs TruScan Digital Reality Intelligent Signal Processing that uses progressive scan circuitry with 3/2 pull-down for the best images possible from HD signals and all video sources such as DVD players.  It is housed in a sleekly styled brushed aluminum cabinet featuring a gloss black picture frame.

The HDLP50W151 includes numerous convenience features including twin-tuner PIP, and GuidePlus+ on-screen program guide.  By simply pressing the guide button on the remote, it brings all of the receivable channels (both analog and digital) within your zip code.  During set-up, the set has enough intelligence to know what type of signals you receive -- over-the-air, cable or both.  It will place all of those receivable channels into a grid-like 3-day guide.  If you've attached a VCR that can controlled via the TV, simply “click” onto a particular program in the guide, and the TV will instruct the VCR to record a particular program at a specific time, e.g. “Alias” on Sunday at 9pm on ABC.  It could not be simpler, and it works with any brand of VCR.  If you've attached RCA's new DVR10 HD PVR, it will automatically record HD programs in HD as well by simply “clicking” on the desired program, e.g. C.S.I. on Thursday night at 9pm on CBS.  Of course, the DVR10 must be attached to the television via the 2-way 1394 port. 

Sound quality is rated at 30-watts total or 15-watts per channel.  There are four speakers with two passive radiators.  Sound quality was fair from the set's internal speakers, which was helped tremendously by SRS Focus and SRS TruSurround XT.  These sound altering schemes certainly helped the set's overall aural quality somewhat.  On the other hand, the set can be used as one center channel speaker via the speaker inputs on the back of the set.  Or, sound can be piped via its digital audio outputs to a separate A/V Receiver or Processor (which is recommended by this reviewer).