Summary

Today, the world is going flat and thin—maybe Columbus had it wrong.  Today, people want flat-panel thin TVs, either Plasma or LCD.  The world is obsessed with thin.  The days of dinosaur behemoth TVs are history.  Archaeologists and paleontologists should take note.  RCA has seen the writing on the glacier, so to speak, and has taken an HD rear projection micro-display TV to another level of strata entirely by making it flat and thin. 

 

RCA, which long has held a tradition as being a driving force in color television manufacturing, was the first company to introduce color TV back in 1954; and was also one of the first companies to introduce widescreen televisions in the early-to-mid 1990s (long before anyone was aware of HDTV).  It put satellite television (DirecTV) on the map in 1994.  It was also one of the first companies to formally introduce HDTV in the late 1990s.  Today, RCA is leading the charge again by introducing the world's first “thin” rear projection HDTV that can be hung on the wall, just like a plasma or LCD TV.  Cool!  Other manufacturers should take serious note. 

Full Review

Features and Design

 

Scenium is RCA's upscale brand including many technologies and features on the cutting edge of electronics development.  The RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 is a 61-in. widescreen integrated HDTV featuring DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology.  Basically, DLP is a special type of micro-display device that has been developed by Texas Instruments (TI).  RCA, however, uses a special optical display engine designed by InFocus, which clearly helps separate RCA from the pack of companies offering DLP display devices (it should be noted that InFocus also markets this set as ScreenPlay 61rp10 under their brand name.)  DLP technology is used in front and rear projection television sets instead of traditional CRTs (cathode ray tubes). 

 

The HD61THW263 includes four television tuners: dual NTSC (for regular TV broadcasts), ATSC (for over-the-air HD broadcasts), and QAM (for “in-the-clear” cable HD broadcasts).  It is also Digital Cable Ready and accepts CableCARD.  What really separates this display from other DLP displays (and other rear projection micro-display TVs) is the fact that it is only 6.85-in. deep, and can be hung on the wall like a plasma or LCD flat-panel display.  Can you imagine?  Truly amazing!

 

Consumer DLP presently uses a single-chip design, which means no convergence problems (like CRT Television) or phosphor burn-in problems (like plasma displays).  Current 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 HD61THW263 uses Texas Instruments' HD2+ chip, which offers an HD resolution of 1280x720 or 720p.  TI's HD2+ optical semiconductor 16:9 chips use in excess of 1,300,000 digital microscopic mirrors (DMDs), which 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 HD61THW263 is a tabletop model with a depth of only 6.85-in., and weighs about 135 lbs.  It consequently can easily fit into many living/family rooms.  It can sit upon an optional base that features storage for up to four components, or it can be placed on the wall and secured to the studs using its specialized hanging bracket for a true theatrical experience. 

 

The HD61THW263 has a brightness level of 550 cd/m2, and a contrast ratio of over 2000:1.  As previously noted, its DLP light engine was designed by InFocus, and it uses a superior 25-element lens system along with a 6-segment color wheel.  To help display HD images, the set employs RCA's proprietary Digital Hi-Pix Picture Systems with TruScan Digital Reality Intelligent Signal Processing, which optimizes picture performance.  It also uses progressive scan circuitry with 3/2 pull-down for the best images possible from HD signals and all video sources, such as satellite systems and DVD players.  The set is housed in a sleekly styled light silver/gray cabinet, featuring a gloss black picture frame.  While other micro-displays place the light engine, RCA places it beneath the screen

 

The HD61THW263 includes numerous convenience features including twin-tuner PIP.  If you attach a DVD Recorder, DVHS VCR or HD DVR, it can be controlled via the TV by simply clicking on the ‘Guide' key centrally located on the remote, to access the recorder's on-screen program guide to find program info, or to set up a recording so you don't miss Desperate Housewives.   If you've attached either of RCA's HD DVRs—DVR2080 (80GB) or DVR2160 (160GB)—it will automatically record HD programs in HD as well by using the TV's remote.  Of course, any of these digital sources need to be tethered to the television via its 2-way 1394 port, and may also require the included signal blaster to change channels (for products other than RCA HD DVRs.)

 

Sound quality is rated at 60-watts total or 15-watts per channel (4 speakers) plus an additional 30-watt subwoofer for improved bass sounds.  Sound quality was pretty good from the set's internal speakers, which was helped tremendously by SRS TruSurround XT.  These sound-altering schemes certainly helped the set's overall aural quality.  Dolby Digital sound, on the other hand, can be piped via its digital audio optical output to a separate A/V Receiver or Processor (which is recommended by this reviewer) for a true home theater experience.

Setup and Installation

 

Connection was easy and straightforward.  Since I have one component with a DVI (LG LSS-3200A DirecTV HD Receiver) output, I used a Tributaries DVI to HDMI cable into the specific HDMI input (Video 5).  Video 1 and Video 3 include both composite and auto-detect S-Video inputs, and Video 2 and 4 are progressive component video inputs.  There also are optical digital audio outputs, twin IEEE 1394 connectors, 1 Ethernet connector (for web browsing with the supplied wireless keyboard), and 2 RF antenna connectors (designated Ant. or Cable).  A standalone RePlayTV PVR (Series 5500) was attached to Video 2 via component video.  All rear connections are located on the back left-hand side of the display, and hidden under a removable flap.

 

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 in setting up your audio system.  Since this set has a built-in QAM HD tuner, I immediately received signals from Cablevision without their HD set-top box or even the CableCARD!  Cablevision, like other cable operators across the country, is sending their network and PBS HD signals, which are encoded in QAM, “in-the-clear.”  Sweet!  If I had received premium channels via cable, I would need the CableCARD to receive those channels.  However, since I receive premium channels via satellite, I did not have to obtain a CableCARD, nor pay extra for digital cable service.

 

RCA Scenium HD61THW263

 

My only complaint here is that the keys on their silver remote are a tad small; some 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.  On the other hand, the keys are logically laid out with DVD/VCR/PVR transport keys located at the bottom of the remote for ease of use.

Evaluation and Performance

 

RCA joined the DLP camp a couple of years ago.  Well, its 2^nd generation slim DLP offering is truly amazing!  It is greatly improved over its 1^st generation models, which I thought were quite good for an initial offering.  For RCA, they have seen the future and it's DLP.  And it is certainly the right choice for RCA.  DLP is an exciting technology, offering picture quality on-par with the best rear projection CRT sets out there, but at a quarter of the girth.  According to RCA, this set is the first in a new family of ‘Profile' DLP display products.  Currently, this set has two other siblings, the HD50THW263 (50-in.) and the HD70THW263 (70-in).

 

HDTV images from all of the networks were simply exceptional from over-the-air antenna, Cablevision, and DirecTV HD.  HD offers unparallel image quality to begin with, and RCA has taken it to the next level.  Network shows like C.S.I. Miami, Star Trek-Enterprise, Smallville, LOST, or ALIAS, for example, looked especially persuasive with newly found clarity.  PBS has started showing regular programming including Nova and Masterpiece Theater plus travelogues (like Smart Travels) in HD, which looked stunning as well from Cable.  On the satellite front, HD-Net or Discovery HD Theater are always my first choices for watching HD images, because there is such a variety of programming from sporting events to movies to travelogues.  Plus, I can say that they looked especially compelling on RCA's HD61THW263.  Of course, programs on HBO-HD like Carnivale or Deadwood also looked realistic and gritty.   

 

Another test for any new HDTV is how they display images from a high-end progressive scan DVD player.  For this evaluation, I used one of my current reference players, the Pioneer Elite DV47Ai with component video output.   Images produced were very natural and life-like in appearance.  Different types of programming were watched to get a good feel as to how different films looked on this television display, ranging from restored classics like Casablanca or Singin' in the Rain  to more recently released films such as The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Robots,  Hero,  Shrek2, and The Incredibles!  Whether the images were animated, black & white or 21^st century color, they were crisp and simply stunning to look at—as good as or better than 35mm film, and showing very little color noise.  Black levels, which are greatly improved over first generation RCA Scenium DLP sets, were not objectionable at all.  Black level is an inherent problem with all light-engine televisions. 

Conclusion

 

To sum up, the RCA Scenium HD61THW263 is an excellent integrated HDTV display device that can compete with the best of flat panels.  At a suggested retail price of $7,999, it's not cheap, but it offers several compelling features including integrated HDTV tuning, and it can be hung on the wall just like a Plasma TV.  It's also a lot less expensive than a similarly-sized Plasma TV.  It's housed in an attractive light gray/silver cabinet that can easily sit onto a base with storage, or can also be placed into a wall unit.  Versatility is the key here.  It also has all of the right connections presently needed for any upscale home theater and then some.  Since it includes 2-way 1394, the set can easily be tethered to an HD-level DVHS VCR or HD DVRs for the recording of pristine HD images.  The HD61THW263 (or either of its siblings) is strongly recommended for repeated viewings.

 

Pros:

 

-          A very versatile television

-          Relatively accurate picture presets

-          Very dark black levels

-          Street price is considerably lower than MSRP

-          Plenty of features to justify its price

 

Cons:

 

-          Color balance is slightly off

-          Proprietary technology could mean its expensive to fix

-          Small buttons on the remote control

Specs

RCA Scenium HD61THW263 61-in. wide DLP HDTV

• HDTV — integrated ATSC tuner w/QAM
• Texas Instruments HD2+ DLP chip
• InFocus Light Engine
• Digital Cable Ready featuring CableCARD
• “CinemaScreen” floating 16:9 picture screen
• Twin tuner PIP
• Integrated web browser (NetConnect) w/Windows CE 4.1
• 60-watt audio system + 30-watt Sub
• Dolby Digital pass-thru & SRS TruSurround XT audio processor
• Ethernet connector
• HDMI w/HDCP
• 2 IEEE 1394 connectors (2-way 6-pin)
• 46.65” high x 62.24” high x 6.85” deep
• 135.3 lbs.

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