Digital Trends

RCA HD61LPW175 May 2nd, 2006 | by Rebecca Day

Design and Features

The HD61LPW175 puts the wide in widescreen, to say the least. At 63 inches across (horizontal rather than diagonal the way screens are measured), the frame makes the TV look wider than most HDTVs because the 4.25-inch-wide speakers flanking the screen add an extra 8 ½ inches to the width. For someone trying to fit a TV into a cabinet the dimensions could be a problem, but the widebody TV comes with a pedestal base that fits easily on a table. Fortunately the black frame minimizes the overall look of the TV which makes an attractive presentation for a TV of its size.

The feature set of the HD61LPW175 covers the basics with CableCard and one HDMI jack. The HDMI input is one of five total inputs, including three back panel jacks (two component/S-Video and one composite) and a side-mounted composite A/V set. A side-mount mini headphone jack is included too.  The side-mount input is convenient for plugging in game players and camcorders but it's composite only, which won't do much good for DV camcorder users or PS2 players who want to get the most out of their hardware. At the least, S-Video and USB jacks would be nice adds.

Additional jacks include A/V outputs, including digital audio, for recording to a hard-disk recorder or VCR. RCA tucked a G-Link cable into the accessory pack, which packs a mini plug on one end and IR emitters on the other for connection to a cable box/satellite receiver and video recorders. G-Link helps make the most of the TV Guide on Screen function that's also part of the feature palette.

The TVGOS electronic program guide gives the program listings for your Zip Code for either cable or antenna. The colorful grid-based guide helps you schedule recordings; search for programs by category such as sports, movies or HDTV; and set reminders for programs you want to see later.

The RCA TV can display Emergency Alert System (AES) data, although the feature only works with TVs actively using the CableCard feature. That means the cable company has to send through the EAS information which typically includes flash flood, severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. In the 2006 season of nasty tornadoes, the feature holds appeal but the limited compatibility reduces its effectiveness.

Image Courtesy of RCA