Digital Trends

RCA HDLP50W151

August 11th, 2004 | by Dennis Barker

Setup and Use

Connection was easy and straight-forward.  Since I have two source components with DVI (LG LSS-3200A DirecTV HD Receiver and Marantz DV8400 DVD player, I used Gefen's new HDTV switcher (priced at $249) that allowed me easily switch back and forth between digital sources without any signal loss on Video input 5.  Video 1 and Video 2 include both composite and auto-detect S-Video inputs.  Video 3 and 4 are progressive component video inputs, and Video 5 is DVI-HDTV.  As well, there are coaxial and optical digital audio outputs, twin IEEE 1394 (6-pin) connectors, 1 Ethernet connector (for web browsing), and 2 RF antenna connectors (so that you can attach both off-the-air plus cable to your set).  A Toshiba VCR was attached to Video 1 via composite, and a RePlayTV PVR (Series 5500) was attached to Video 3 via component video.  Lastly, the set includes a front panel A/V/S-Video inputs along with a headphone jack, which are hidden under a drop-down flap.  

As soon as the television is turned on for the first time, it automatically goes into the set-up screen mode.  It asks you various questions including your zip code, and what components are attached to the television.  It's very simple and intuitive to use.  To calibrate this DLP set for optimal picture playback, I used a special DVD entitled Digital Video Essentials by Joe Kane Productions.  This special disc allows you to correctly set contrast, brightness, black levels, color, sharpness, and gray scale among other video settings.  It also educates about different signals received, and helps set-up your audio system also.  I was surprised that I also received HD signals from Cablevision without their HD set-top box.  Obviously, Cablevision is sending their HD signals, which are encoded in QAM, “in-the-clear.”  Sweet!

My only complaint here is that the keys on their newly designed silver remote are a tad small — some of which are very tiny squares.  The illuminated remote is both universal with pre-programmed codes, and also has learning capability.  It certainly looks sleek.  Personally, I preferred the older ergonomic remotes that RCA used to make with larger color-coded rubberized keys of different shapes.  Certainly, the keys are logically laid out with DVD/VCR/PVR transport keys located at the bottom of the remote for ease of use.