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High-Definition DVD Player Reviews

RCA HDV5000 High-Definition DVD Player

RCA released its HD DVD player in June 2006, making it the second company to market, after Toshiba.

A press release from the company stated:

The HDV5000 supports various video formats including MPEG2, MPEG4/AVC and VC1. The unit plays back DVD/DVD-R/-RW/DVD-RAM discs and mp3 audio files from CD-R/CD-RW discs.

...A key convenience is the capability to connect the recorder to the consumer’s home network using the HDV5000’s Ethernet port which enables upgrading of the player as new features are developed. Some of the unit’s additional features include multiple audio and video stream decoding with separate volume control and 5.1 channel surround sound capability.

The RCA HDV5000 provides high-definition up-conversion of standard DVD discs and includes an HDMI 1.1 output for digital audio and video in one convenient connection. The HDV5000 will output copy-protected HD content through the HDMI interface in either 720p or 1080i – and standard definition DVD discs can be upconverted to 720p or 1080i to complement the performance of a high-definition television. Since the conversion occurs in the player, the signal is free of excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts.

While improved picture performance is an outstanding advantage of the RCA HDV5000, audio quality is equally impressive, featuring Dolby Digital Plus technology for a more realistic listening experience. The player features built-in multichannel decoders for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2 channel), DTS and DTS-HD (5.1 channel). The HDV5000 delivers digital information to a Surround Sound processor/receiver through S/PDIF or HDMI outputs.

CNET commented:

The RCA HDV5000 appears to be a clone of the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player. The specs and features are essentially identical, with only a minor change to the player's cosmetics: the front panel of the RCA HDV5000 reverses the black and silver color scheme of the Toshiba, and it utilizes rectangular rather than circular buttons. We expect the RCA HDV5000...to perform exactly like the Toshiba HD-A1. Both retail for $500.

HD Beat wrote:

It's basically the same as the lower-end Toshiba HD-A1 model, although a few early birds on AVSForum have noted the remote is a bit better. If you're looking for more than the 1080i, 30 second boot time loading of the first HD DVD players however, you'll need to look elsewhere as they share the same hardware underneath. PQ is still excellent, akin to an HD broadcast without the nasty compression artefacts, same HDMI out, surround sound support and everything else. Still, if $499 is burning a hole in your pocket and your local electronics retailer doesn't carry Toshiba, this is a big day for you. We're just glad this is over so we can look forward to second-generation players, sans-glitches and 1080i maximum resolution.

* Get the Latest Price on the RCA HDV5000 High-Definition DVD Player.

June 14th, 2006