RCA-HDV5000 player!

Robert Crawford · 06-17-2006, 11:26 AM

So far I haven't experienced any glitches such as freezeups. As I get more familiar with this player and play more HD discs on it, I will continue to post my observations. Today, I'm going to compare the SD DVD versus the HD DVD of "The Bourne Supremacy" and "Apollo 13". I'll post my thoughts on those comparisons by tonight. Also, from my experiences the other day with "Apollo 13" the picture quality reminded me when I watched that film at an Imax theater. I was very impressed by it.

If other HD players have already done some comparisons, please, feel free to post your thoughts because I'm sure your experiences will be very interesting to your fellow owners as well as to those thinking about buying into this format.

Crawdaddy

Ronald Epstein · 06-17-2006, 12:02 PM

Robert,

For some reason I was under the impression you bought the
Toshiba HD-A1.

Out of curiosity, why did you choose the RCA over the Toshiba?

Looking forward to reading your comparisons between both
formats. I am really trying to get an idea just how dramatic
the picture quality is above standard DVD. In other words, is
it just as dramatic as VHS -> DVD? Perhaps LASERDISC-DVD?

Have fun!

Steve Tannehill · 06-17-2006, 12:59 PM

Is this just a rebadged Toshiba, or does it really have DVD Audio capabilities?

Ron, it varies to my eyes, sometimes even in the same movie. To wit: something Mr. Harris pointed out regarding Blazing Saddles. The opticals used in the title sequence led to grainy backgrounds that did not look special at all. Then as soon as it switched to production footage, a veil was lifted, and it was like you were looking through a 2.35x1 window. A movie 32 years old looked like it was filmed yesterday.

For fast-moving action, it is hard to focus long enough to see detail, but early on I did an A/B of Serenity on DVD vs. HD DVD and the extra detail and clarity stood out. Eventually it becomes transparent, and you don't notice it (that's the idea).

The best visuals I have seen (at least until I pop in this space shuttle HD DVD I just got) are from Phantom of the Opera. The 3-dimensional quality during "Masquerade" is just staggering. That's a VHS to DVD moment.

Many of the rest are laserdisc to DVD moments... however, keep in mind that once we saw DVD, we really started to notice all the flaws inherent in laserdisc, eh?

Thanks - Steve

Robert Crawford · 06-17-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein

Robert,

For some reason I was under the impression you bought the
Toshiba HD-A1.

Out of curiosity, why did you choose the RCA over the Toshiba?

Because it was available for $450 and it's basically a Toshiba with some cosmetic changes and the RCA nameplate on it.

Crawdaddy

Robert Crawford · 06-17-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Tannehill

Is this just a rebadged Toshiba, or does it really have DVD Audio capabilities?

No DVD Audio capabilities according to the manual.

Crawdaddy

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Michael D. Bunting · 06-17-2006, 05:50 PM

I own the RCA and absolutely love it!

I previously owned the flagship Toshiba XA-1 player...and bought the RCA to compare picture quality. The RCA produced exactly the same picture for about half the cost - so i returned the Toshiba and haven't looked back since.

I previously was going to wait to purchase BluRay - or whichever format "won" out...I'm glad I gave in and went HD DVD.

I'll probably buy a BluRay player at some point (maybe even tonight if my local Best Buy has any) to give it a whirl.

I'm sure I'll be blown away with the quality - just as I was with my RCA unit and HD DVD.

I'm looking forward to both formats...don't really care who wins the war...i just wanna see as much as possible in HD!

Mike

Ronald Epstein · 06-17-2006, 06:08 PM

One of the things that bothers me about the Toshiba is that
many people are reporting it's a dinosaur in size -- very reminiscent
of the early VHS players.

I am hoping the RCA is more streamlined. If it is, that would be
a major deciding factor as I really don't want something monstrous
taking up valuable rack space.

Any comments?

Adam Tyner · 06-17-2006, 06:16 PM

The RCA player is by all accounts a rebadged Toshiba, so the dimensions are very similar.

RCA's website lists the dimensions as 17.32" x 4.53" x 13.94".

I'm too lazy to measure my HD-A1, but the dimensions are listed on Wikipedia as 17.72" x 4.33" x 13.39".

Compare:

JeremyErwin · 06-17-2006, 06:21 PM

Round or square buttons. Your choice.

Michael D. Bunting · 06-17-2006, 06:29 PM

I use a Harmony 880 remote - so the remote buttons are not a concern for me at all.

My RCA HD DVD player is bigger than my XBOX 360, slightly bigger than my DIRECTV HD DVR, and smaller than my Onkyo A/V Receiver.

I actually like BIGGER electronics...and I miss my Pioneer DVL-909 combi (LD & DVD) player something fierce...that thing was HUGE!

Steven Simon · 06-17-2006, 07:45 PM

Ron,

They are the same exact player...