Engadget HD

RCA introduces slimmest Small Wonder camcorder ever: EZ209HD

Darren Murph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:05:00 EST

If you were taken aback by RCA's EZ300HD, you'll serious consider marrying the EZ209HD. Said device is the company's slimmest, sleekest and "sexiest" Small Wonder ever, enabling users to grab HD footage and view playback on the 2-inch LCD display. It's also packing an HDMI socket, a rechargeable battery good for two hours of use and a microSD slot. It'll hit this quarter for $119.99 alongside the standard-def EZ207.

Continue reading RCA introduces slimmest Small Wonder camcorder ever: EZ209HD

Filed under: Other hardware, RCA

RCA introduces slimmest Small Wonder camcorder ever: EZ209HD originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

General Electric partners with Tatung for "premium" GE-branded HDTVs

Darren Murph — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:19:00 EST

Who says there are too many players in the HDTV realm? With current mainstays partnering up like it's going out of style, we've found two firms that see something no one else does. General Electric has just announced a joint venture with Taiwan-based Tatung in which the pair plans on making two million HDTVs annually when production gets going in 2009. The two hope to capture at least 5% to 10% of the global TV market in due time, and according to Peter Weedfald, president of North America and global chief marketing officer for the JV, the resulting product will be a "premium brand" that will be "very competitive with current leadership brands." We'll be interested to see what all becomes of this, and hopefully we'll have some prototypes to gawk at come CES / IFA / CEDIA 2009.

[Image courtesy of VintageTVSets]

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Others, RCA

General Electric partners with Tatung for "premium" GE-branded HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

RCA takes EZ300HD Small Wonder camcorder to 720p

Darren Murph — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST

We won't front -- we weren't, how do you say, blown away with RCA's Small Wonder trio announced earlier this year, but we'll give this one a fighting chance. The EZ300HD can capture clips at 720p on the 2GB of internal storage or on any spare SD card you've laying around. You'll also find a 2.4-inch LCD, a low-res YouTube recording mode and a sure-to-be-awesome 4x digital zoom. Operation is supposedly dead-simple, and there's a USB port and video output just in case you feel like blowin' it up on the big screen. Grab it real soon for $159.99.

Gallery: RCA takes EZ300HD Small Wonder camcorder to 720p

Filed under: Other hardware, RCA

RCA takes EZ300HD Small Wonder camcorder to 720p originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RCA introduces $60 ANT1500 flat OTA antenna

Darren Murph — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:25:00 EST

Nah, this isn't yet another digital-to-analog converter, just a tried-and-true OTA antenna for those looking to ditch their pay-TV provider and live off the fat of the land (or whatever HD locals you can fetch, same difference). The RCA ANT1500 Flat Indoor Antenna is a 10.5-inch square that checks in at just under one-inch thick, and its design supposedly helps it minimize the "cliff effect." RCA notes that this device is just the first of seven new RCA antenna products created with digital TV reception in mind that will be announced this year, and those satisfied with numero uno can find it around right now for $59.99 (or less if scouring the streets).

Filed under: Tuners, OTA

RCA introduces $60 ANT1500 flat OTA antenna originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Three more DTV converter boxes get reviewed, compared

Darren Murph — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:36:00 EST

Even though we just know you'll disregard this information until the last possible moment, we'd like to point out that three more digital-to-analog converter boxes have been reviewed over at Sound & Vision. The $60 Zenith DTT900 -- one of the very first DTV boxes to get outed -- was pit against the $50 RCA DTA800 and the $60 Digital Stream DTX9900. Believe it or not, reviewers actually found quite a bit of difference in the three units ranging from looks (clearly) to on-screen interfaces. If you're one to care about the minutiae (and admit it, you are), head on over to see which of these three most deserve your $40 voucher.

Filed under: Reviews, Set-top boxes, Tuners, OTA

Three more DTV converter boxes get reviewed, compared originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Poll: Is your Wal-Mart scaling back its HD DVD player lineup?

Darren Murph — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:49:00 EST

Rest assured, this certainly isn't the first time we've heard stories of certain Wal-Marts trimming down its HD DVD lineup, but a new report from TG Daily asserts that "industry sources" have informed the site that the mega-corp will be "phasing out the RCA HDV5000 as well as the Venturer SHD7000 models." If you'll recall, the latter unit has only been available at Wally World for two months (and change), but apparently, both devices are being heavily discounted and won't be restocked once inventory is depleted. By now, we've learned to see all of these "reports" through the eyes of a skeptic, so we're putting it to you to see just how widespread these supposed firesales are. Have you noticed any unusual price cutting or disappearing acts in your local Wal-Mart?

View Poll

Filed under: Industry, Polls, HD DVD, Players, Others, RCA

Poll: Is your Wal-Mart scaling back its HD DVD player lineup? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

JD Power ratings put BRAVIA LCD, Pioneer plasma, and Samsung DLP on top

Richard Lawler — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:34:00 EST

JD Power and Associates has released the findings of their 2007 Large Screen HDTV Usage and Satisfaction Survey, and there are some very familiar names in the winners of the three categories. As judged on overall satisfaction, picture and sound performance, ease of use, features and styling, the HDTVs were then divided into 37- to 49-inch, 50- to 65-inch and rear projection 50- 72-inch ranges. Sony's BRAVIA LCD line took the smaller category with a five out of five rating in every area, but lost out to Pioneer's plasmas when competition went over 50-inches. Samsung's DLPs won the rear projection award, despite having a lower picture and sound rating than Sony, JVC, and Toshiba. Take a look at the overall results and then let us know how you think your HDTV measures up.

Filed under: Industry, Displays, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, RCA, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, DLP, LCD, LCoS, Plasma

JD Power ratings put BRAVIA LCD, Pioneer plasma, and Samsung DLP on top originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flat panel friendly OTA antenna - ANT188

Matt Burns — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:09:00 EST

File this one away in "If I would have thought of this, I wouldn't be working for the man anymore." Seriously. Hanging flat panels and antennas generally don't get along that well, but RCA as a nice and easy solution. Simply hang the little piece of plastic off the front of the flat panel and a pair of rabbit ears is going to stick out of the back. No word on the performance but we are going to step out on a limb here and say this isn't going to work as well as your Winegard roof-top, but it is going to work a tad better then the current pair of rabbit ears duct taped to the back of your flat panel. The ANT188 is going to carry a price of $14.99 when it hits shelves sometime in April.

Note: the other half of the press picture includes flat cables and a wall mount - nothing new.

Filed under: DIY, Other hardware, OTA

Flat panel friendly OTA antenna - ANT188 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ATSC/NTSC DVD recorder from RCA

Matt Burns — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:22:00 EST

It's not every day that a DVD recorder makes it onto Engadget HD's front page but sure 'nough, this boy has an ATSC tuner built in and can even record from it. Props needs to go out to the techs at RCA for recognizing that the digital transition is only a short two years and two months away and some people will not be able to use their current ATSC-lacking DVD recorders. The DRC8335 should be available in April at a MSRP of $249.99 and features all the standard VCR to DVD functions, plus that ATSC tuner that will pick up local digital broadcasts and even records those digital programs to a DVD. There is no word if you would be able to record 720p/1080i broadcasts onto a DVD but we would have to guess that you can't. But even still, this should be a great digital solution for those folks that still don't understand that a digital video recorder is still the best option.

Filed under: Recorders, RCA

ATSC/NTSC DVD recorder from RCA originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

RCA releasing a slew of new LCDs

Matt Burns — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST

RCA, who may not be the most exciting brand at CES, but when a company drops 18 LCD HDTVS, we take notice. Their new sets range in size from 720p to 1080p, 15- to 47- inches with prices at a modest $299 to $2,299. The RCA Scenium 280 Series get the honor of sporting 1080p at both the 42- and 47-inch models along with being equiped with two HDMI, component, composite and USB ports. These sets will hit the shelves come June with stickers of $2,299 for the 47-inch and $1,799 for the 42-inch. Follow the link for the rest of their new LCD HDTVs.

Continue reading RCA releasing a slew of new LCDs

Filed under: RCA, LCD

RCA releasing a slew of new LCDs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Walmart clearing out RCA's HD DVD for $350?

Matt Burns — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 09:26:00 EST

We just got word from one of our loyal readers, Brian, that he recently spotted RCA's HD DVD player on one of Walmart's clearance racks for $350. A quick web-search denies this but that doesn't mean it isn't happening. Many large retail stores will put things on clearance once they have sat on the selves a certain amount of time. We plan on doing a little recon work later today (read: try my best to get my hands on one) and visit a few of the Walmarts in our areas. Remember, the RCA branded HD DVD player is exactly the same as the Toshiba one sans the brand name on the front. It would just make sense to seek one of these players out if you are in the market for an HD DVD player

That is if it is true. Has anyone else seen one of these players on the clearance rack?

[Thanks, Brian]

Filed under: Misc

Walmart clearing out RCA's HD DVD for $350? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RCA HDV5000 HD DVD player hits store shelves

Richard Lawler — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:35:00 EST

HD DVD continues to move, as RCA has announced we can buy their HD DVD player, the HDV5000 at stores everywhere. Its basically the same as the lower-end Toshiba HD-A1 model, although a few earlybirds 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 artifacts, 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.

Read - RCA HDV5000 HD DVD Player now Available at Retail
Read - Early Impressions @ AVS Forums

Filed under: Toshiba

RCA HDV5000 HD DVD player hits store shelves originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The RCA HDV5000 appears on Circuit City's website.

Matt Burns — Tue, 02 May 2006 10:21:00 EST

Toshiba's HD DVD player, the HD-A1, has been alone on the market for about 2 weeks now. The units seem to be selling well, but they are 'bout to get some competition from Circuit City and RCA. You can't find the Toshiba model in any Circuit City store but they are still going to carry HD DVD players. The first one is from RCA and is currently up for pre-order at CirucitCity.com. Looks a bit like the HD-A1 you say. Well, we hear that it is the same inner workings as Toshiba's model. The HDV5000 is going to retail for the same price and include the HDMI cable just like the Toshiba.

Filed under: Misc

The RCA HDV5000 appears on Circuit City's website. originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 02 May 2006 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

What is so difficult about LCoS?

Ben Drawbaugh — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:00:00 EST

LCoS is all the rage today in the world of projection TVs, between American's Favorite Sony SXRD and JVC's D-ILA. ExtremeTech even did a shootout recently of some of the latest LCoS TV's. It is now a major contender for most consumers who are considering a projection TV today.

LCoS hasn't always been all peaches and cream, for years fortunes were lost in attempt to cash in on this promising technology. Thompson was the first to to give up after releasing a commercial LCoS in 2001. The next to attempt to realize the dream was Toshiba, as well as Phillips and Mitsubishi. Intel even announced that they would produce LCoS chips at CES 2004, only to cancel those plans 10 months later. The most recent to announce that they were canceling their plans was LG, only 6 months after the annoncement.

We all know the great benefits of LCoS, but what makes them so difficult to produce?

Thanks Warren!

Filed under: Industry, RCA, Sony, Toshiba, LCoS

What is so difficult about LCoS? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CES: RCA ATSC tuners

Matt Burns — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:39:00 EST

The date for the digital takeover is approaching and the cost of ATSC tuners is still out of each of some Americans. RCA introduced two new tuners (halfway down the page) and one of them is aimed at the non-hd consumer. Priced at $199, it has no high definition interface, but rather just a composite and S-Video connection. I still think the price is too high for some people, but I am sure it will come down in price.

The second receiver, MPC5000, is priced at $399 and is aimed at the high def consumer. It has both DVI and HDMI to connect it to your HD set. This unit seems overpriced too. Last time I checked, most ATSC tuners with HDMI outputs are going for $249, give or take 20 bucks.

Filed under: Industry, Regulatory, Cable, OTA

CES: RCA ATSC tuners originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CES: Jensen almost wireless ATSC tuner

Matt Burns — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 10:58:00 EST

And here I was getting all excited. I thought that we were going to get a USB ATSC tuner here in the States like they have over in Asia thanks to Jensen. But no, not yet. Jensen has a USB drive that does preforms a similar task. It allows you to stream a signal from a tuner inside of a desktop to a laptop.

The press release indicates that the USB dongle will transmit a digital signal from an ATSC tuner, but it does not say if that signal is HD. I am not saying that 480p is a bad thing on a 15-inch screen, but it kind is a let down, isn't?

In fact, not to rain on Jensens parade, but Orb lets you do the same thing from any WIFI hotspot, including the one you probably have in you house. Plus, you do not have to buy anything besides the mentioned tuner.

CES: Jensen almost wireless ATSC tuner originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 05 Jan 2006 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CEATEC Japan 2005 preview

Richard Lawler — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 10:03:08 EST

CEATEC Japan 2005 starts tomorrow, with two days of anything to do with technologies providing Image, Infomation and Communications.

Everyone from Toshiba & Sony, to Sharp, Samsung and Intel will be showing off their latest devices and software. A good example of what types of things we can expect is Panasonic's "Ideas for life" booth, showing off a totally networked home with a large screen high-definition TV at the center. (How many HD Beat readers' homes does that sound like?)

Of course if what you really need is a new house to put that network in, our friends at Luxist know just the place.

With the transitional period we're in with media storage and display, it seems like there will be even more interesting debuts than usual, of products we might actually see on store shelves very soon. Check back for further updates and announcements.

What are you looking forward to/would you like to see announced at the conference?

Filed under: LG, Panasonic, RCA, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Zenith

CEATEC Japan 2005 preview originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 03 Oct 2005 10:03:08 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments