RCA has launched its HD DVD player, which is set to go on sale exclusively through selected Wal-Mart stores in Canada with further stores offering it in the coming weeks with a suggested retail price of CA$699. RCA is also shipping it to retailers nationwide in the US, which will go on sale for a suggested retail price of US$499.
Like the Toshiba, this player features MPEG2/4/AVC and VC1 video support, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS and DTS-HD audio support and HDMI 1.1 output at either 720p or 1080i. The drive will also function as an upscaling player for DVD playback and also supports DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, most DVD+R/RW and MP3 files on CD-R/RW media. It also includes an Ethernet port for connecting up to a network for streaming audio and video, accessing certain online features and for upgrading the player's software. The front of the player features two USB Game controller ports.
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Designed to complement the surging popularity of high-definition (HD) TV displays and concurrent with the release of new HD DVD movie titles, RCA today announced its HDV5000 HD DVD player is now shipping to retailers nationwide. The HDV5000 has a suggested retail price $499 and combines the image quality of high-definition images and multi-channel surround sound with the convenience of DVD disc playback, the company noted. The RCA HDV5000 is meant to provide consumers with new options in home entertainment while retaining the convenience and ease of use of DVD players. Further info on the Canadian debut can be read here. |
When compared with the Toshiba HD-A1, this player seems to offer pretty much the same specifications, however like the Toshiba, it also lacks 1080p and it is unclear which DVD+R/RW media it does not support due to the specifications mentioning about some DVD+R/RW exceptions. Hopefully this player overcomes at least some of the flaws of the Toshiba, such as long power
up and long disc loading time, however the physical size and style of the DVD player looks very like that of the Toshiba HD DVD player model.
Source: RCA - Press releases
