HDTV in a BOX

[Dave]

Directv is now offering HDTV in the box combo, like Dish does. Looks like the same RCA TV as Dish. There system is going for $ 1699. This is the 40" RCA.

[gradnite]

Where can I read about this deal? Thanks for the news.

[Dave]

Where can I read about this deal? Thanks for the news.

I seen the deal today at www.rapidsatellite.com

[Cholly]

Directv is now offering HDTV in the box combo, like Dish does. Looks like the same RCA TV as Dish. There system is going for $ 1699. This is the 40" RCA.
Heh ... well, not exactly. It isn't DirecTV that is offering the HDTV in a box combo, rather it's rapidsatellite, located in Miami, Florida.
Dish Network's deal is sponsored by Dish, not a retailer. And it's only $999. You have a choice of 40" widescreen rear projection TV or a 34" widescreen direct view TV. Both are made by Thomson (parent of RCA) and carry the Dish logo.

[junki]

I seen the deal today at www.rapidsatellite.com
This is crap. It is the retailer selling a HDTV with a DTV system. Good Ploy but not a real DTV deal.

[fslove]

These RCA HDTV's are crap! Do yourselves a favor and buy a decent HDTV or you will be disappointed!

[jgoggan]

Please don't make blanket statements unless you have details to back it up. I got my Dad the 40" RPTV and it has been quite impressive so far. Not as great as my 57" Hitachi -- but, the 40" Thomson was a lot cheaper than my 57" Hitachi also.

I've heard some complaints (with details) about the 34" direct view. So far, I'm not overly impressed with what I'm hearing on THAT set. But, so far, I've had a very good experience with the 40" RPTV. My main complaint is poor remote support -- but, other than that, quality has been good.

So, if you have details to share, feel free. Otherwise, blanket statements that the hardware is "crap" are fairly worthless.

- John...

[enforcer]

Hello all. I am responding to some of the posts concerning the RCA HDTV. I currently have a RCA 52'' widescreen HDTV and it has been nothing short of outstanding. The picture quality on my set exceeds the quality of my best friends Mitsu 65'' tv and he paid about a 1000 bucks more than I did on mine. I have not seen the quality on these RCA (Thompson) brand, but RCA does make a quality and affordable HDTV. I still see my tv on the shelves at local retailers and just laugh at people shelling out 2500 or 3000 dollar hdtv when this 1600 dollar tv is just as good if not better. I would not make these statements without proof comparing mine versus others. I just wanted to give my 2 cents.

[Slordak]

I think a lot of the perceptions about quality depend on frame of reference (basically, user expectations). If you are using an old standard definition set which has a few minor issues and has never been all that great, then absolutely, the "HDTV in a Box" setups look fantastic in comparison. However, if you have seen higher end (e.g. $2000+) HDTV sets in more elaborate setups, you are likely to be rather unimpressed.

Personally speaking, I don't think the sets which are being shipped as part of these packages are comparable to $2500 or $3000 HDTVs. However, if one doesn't need an HDTV in this price range and isn't a real stickler for the differences at the high end (e.g. used to watching video delivered between components via coax), then these sets are probably just fine.

[jgoggan]

Agreed -- to a point.

I do have one of those "$2000+ HDTVs" -- in a "more elaborate setup." I am NOT "used to watching video delivered between components via coax" by any means. Yet, after getting the Thomson 40" RPTV for my father, I was still impressed by the TV -- especially for the price range it is in.

Do I think it better than my Hitachi? Not at all. Am I more impressed by my Hitachi? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that I can't still think that the 40" RPTV from Dish is a decent TV... So far, it certainly appears to be. Especially for that price.

- John...