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RCA HDV5000 HD DVD player user reviews

User Reviews

  • Rating Breakdown:
  • 5 star:
    2/5
    2
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  • 3 star:
    1/5
    1
  • 2 star:
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    1
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  • 4.5 stars

    "HD is here, and RCA delivers." on by voodoogmr

    Pros: Pristine picture quality, outstanding audio, easy setup

    Cons: Slower boot-up time and bigger and heavier compared to standard DVD players

    Summary: I've been sitting on the fence with these new HD formats. After owning an HDTV for 3 years, I was anxious to be able to play HD movies whenever I wanted. And now, that time has finally come.

    The RCA HDV5000 is basically the same as the Toshiba HD-A1. Internally, they are pretty much identical. RCA just uses a different case and square buttons, compared to the round buttons on the Toshiba. It also has a different remote control. However, one key addition the RCA has is an RS-232 control port. This is only available on the $799 version of the Toshiba (HD-XA1). So, the RCA is really a great value considering it costs the same as the lower-priced Toshiba HD-A1. It's just not as sleek-looking as the Toshiba. But image/sound quality is what's important to me, and the RCA truly delivers.

    First, let me tell you what other devices I'm using with this.

    - TV: Sony 30xs955 30" widescreen HDTV
    - Receiver: Harmon/Kardon AVR-335
    - Speakers: JBL Northridge F/C/S/B, and 200w JBL sub, in a 7.1 setup

    This is a very modest setup, but HD DVD still made a huge difference.

    PICTURE QUALITY

    It is difficult to put into words how blown away I was by the picture quality. My jaw dropped open at the pristine detail and artifact-free images of Serenity and The Chronicles of Riddick. There were scenes that were so detailed, they nearly jumped out of the TV. Colors were bold and vibrant, but never smeared or bloomed. It simply brought the movies to life.

    Even the 11-year old Apollo 13 disc looked incredible. I have this on regular DVD as well, so I flipped between my old Pioneer DVD player and the RCA. The difference was very apparent.

    However, some movies just don't seem to benefit as much from the higher resolution. Van Helsing, for example, still looked great, but that movie is just so dark that you still don't notice as much improvement. Still noticable, but not as drastic as other films.

    I tested the output using component and HDMI. Both were very similar, with HDMI maybe showing an ever-so-slightly sharper image. Since no current HD DVDs use the Image Contraint Token (ICT), you can get full 1080i out of the component outputs as well, so HDMI is not required (yet) to enjoy full HD.

    Overall, picture quality is even better than I was expecting. Just note that in order to get the best quality, set the player's output resolution to 1080i, even if you you have a 720p display. The player's internal scaler doesn't do a very good job of outputting 720p, but 1080i looks amazing. An addendum to the manual was included in the box noting this.

    AUDIO QUALITY

    I just thought that HD DVD was all about pristine images. Hah! Wait until you hear the new Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks. Connecting the RCA to my reciver using the 5.1 analog outputs, I got to enjoy the full DD+ soundtrack. Wow! The clarity and subtle effects leapt out of the speakers. The soundstage is very broad, with sound effects blending from speaker to speaker with smoothness that I've never heard before. The sound is full, rich, and alive. I think the audio impressed me even more than the visuals!

    The RCA, like the Toshiba, will still allow you to hook up to your receiver via an optical or coax digital connection. However, when listening to a DD+ track, the player will downmix it to a 5.1 DTS track at more than double the bitrate of a standard DVD. You MUST have a receiver with a built-in DTS decoder in order to use this. Otherwise, you will need to either use the 5.1 analog outputs or HDMI. While the manual says you can get multi-channel surround sound from HDMI, I couldn't test this since my receiver doesn't have HDMI inputs.

    I switched back and forth between the DTS downmix and the DD+ coming out of the analog outputs, and I could clearly tell that the DD+ was superior. Some subtle effects were lost in the DTS downmix. Still sounded better than regular DD or DTS, but if you have a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs, use them.

    UPCONVERTING STANDARD DVDs

    The RCA does an excellent job of upconverting standard DVDs to HD resolutions. I had no problems playing any of my old DVDs, including some obscure anime discs. While still not as good as an HD DVD, it does have a sharper image.

    Just note that if you are using the analog outputs for HD DVDs, you probably also want to hook up the digital audio output to your receiver as well. This way, you can enjoy all the DD and DTS tracks that current DVDs support. This is particularly important if you have a 7.1 setup like I do, since 6.1 DTS-ES and DD-EX mixes are only sent out of the digital outputs.

    REMOTE

    I didn't spend too much time with the remote since I quickly added the RCA to my Harmony 880 universal remote (which works great). But the stock remote isn't too bad. It's not backlit, so you certainly don't want to use it in the dark. But it's actually above average compared to the remotes I typically get with regular DVD players.

    COMPLAINTS

    My complaints are pretty minor. Yes, the player is a little slow in starting up. It takes about 40 seconds to be ready to accept commands, and HD DVDs take an additonal 30-50 seconds to load. But honestly, it hasn't bothered me much at all. By the time I get settled into the recliner with a drink and popcorn, the movie is waiting on me anyway.

    CONCLUSION

    I absolutely love this player. It has met and exceeded my expectations. I had no problems buying this over the Toshiba model. At least the RCA was in stock in town!

  • 5.0 stars

    "Excellent DVD Player!!" on by gigi308

    Pros: Has always run smoothly.
    Absolutely no problems with it at all.

    Cons: A bit slow, but not any slower than other dvd players I've used.

    Summary: We love this dvd player and would definitely buy another one just like this one!!

  • 3.0 stars

    "Almost satisfied" on by kamanojk

    Pros: Good Picture

    Cons: Can't compare HD to DVD picture

    Summary: Was really looking forward to upscaling current DVD library and acquiring HD DVDs. Much like the other somewhat negative review, I can not use the HDMI output. All other components work fine. Hoping to make contact with RCA so I can take machine to authorized repair faciltiy. I am a loyal RCA purchaser (except for my TV...a 65" Mitsubishi HDTV (DLP)). I am routing for RCA to come to the rescue with this player and I'm hoping the format war favors HD DVD...

  • 1.0 stars

    "its very nice for cds" on by joe0660

    Pros: plays cds great

    Cons: has too many problems hidm errors

    Summary: this rca hd5000 player is not so hot in one way too many hidi errors every time i put a hd dvd in the player i got hidm errors and it skips alot freezes on some of the hd dvds i have i'm not happy at all i the player has a problem but you can play cds just fine just good luck getting the cd out of the tray this the picture on the hd movies are great its just too many errors and

  • 2.0 stars

    "Not good yet" on by Cruiser99t

    Pros: almost works

    Cons: Componant video works

    Summary: Not happy right now. HDMI does not work.
    Componant video works. Digital audio works.
    Will not play HD-DVD. Standard disks look good. Sound good also. RCA support said to rest the unit and see if HDMI works. If not I
    will have to send the unit to them for service. I just bought it yesterday! Waiting awhile to try it again.
    My other componants are A Samsung 61" HDTV. Pioneer A/V reciever (7.2 surround)
    If it dosn't work I am thinking I am just going to return the DVD and forget about it.
    I have Hi-Def satalite TV. Ging now to check it out.........

Results 1-5 of 5

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