Price Paid:  $2000.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
A good overall TV but....heres a letter I sent to RCA regarding this TV:

I am experiencing a unique problem with my television, which I am now finding out is not covered by
the manufacturers warranty. I feel that my issue should be addressed and remedied via your consumer relations division. After speaking to a very unhelpful RCA representative over the phone I was directed to address this letter to your consumer relations review board.

I purchased the television in January 2001 from Future Shop in Whitby, Ontario. The problem exists with the built-in screen saver. There is an open edge along the perimeter of the screen-saver, which allows insects to enter the front of the television and become stuck between the screen saver and the actual screen. I now have a series of 3 black spots in the middle of my screen that are dead insects that have entered this gap, died and become stuck to the screen. I do not live in a bug-infested area, nor is there an over-abundance of insect life in the living room of my residence. The only way this problem can be fixed is for a service technician to come to my house, remove the protective screen and clean or vacuum out this gap and the screen. I feel that is a technical hitch or a design flaw with the television that should be covered by your regular manufacturers warranty. The gap should be sealed so as not to allow insects to enter the gap between the screen saver and the screen.

The irony in all of this is that my purchase decision for this particular model was reinforced by the value of having the screen saver. The Future Shop sales associate steered me away from other manufacturers who do not supply a screen saver with their projection televisions. I felt that your screen saver would provide me with a certain degree of confidence that it would protect my television screen from differing elements such as this. In light of this issue I feel the screen saver has not protected my television screen, and has in fact compounded the problem. The screen saver has not “saved” my screen at all, and I find it incredulous that such a problem could occur. It is frustrating in that I have owned the television for less than one year.

The repair charge is quite costly to remedy this problem, and I do not feel I should be paying for this technical problem with your television. I am requesting the repair of my television, and suggestions on how to avoid any future problems with this.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Circuit City

Summary:

This review is for the 52939 not the 940.
I didn't want to spend the money on an HDTV yet since they haven't perfected the technology, so I decided to find a nice analog projection for a reasonable price. I have looked at all of the major stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics and Sears) and a few local ones. It seems that you will pay a lot more for a Japanese brand than an American brand. Hence, Toshiba, Hitachi, Mitsubishi and especially Sony are considerably more than RCA, GE, Phillips, and Zenith. After comparing the features and the fact I am planning on buying an HDTV in about 6-7 years, it wasn't that important to me to spend the extra cash to obtain a Jap brand. The convergence was set pretty right on from the factory and only required minor adjustments. The actual picture produced is bright and crystal clear. The only imperfections are from the cable company and not the tv. DVD's looks sweet through component inputs and there is virtually no color bleeding.

The only weaknesses that this set has, is that the sound is not the best and the simulated surround doesn't really sound as good as good as Toshiba's Matrix surround or Zenith's Sequential surround but I have a pretty decent system so that is really a non issue for me. Also, there are not a lot of inputs and no front inputs. There is one S-Video, 3 RCA (2 in 1 audio out), and one set of component inputs.

Dollar for dollar, I do not feel as thought you will find a better deal for the money.

Strengths:
Picture, Price, Built in Screen Saver

Weaknesses:
Sound, Lack of inputs

Similar Products Used:
Toshiba 50A60