Quantum leap over previous TV standard. Signal strength meter for digital broadcasts. Ample video inputs. Two antenna inputs.

No video output; no sleep timer; PIP will only work if BOTH sources are analog; 4:3 expanded format is miscalibrated. (see below for more)

I have never viewed a rear projection TV that satisfied my eyes, at least to the point where I would buy one. Hence I have eagerly awaited a HDTV television tube that was reasonably priced and offered 16:9 direct viewing. This TV is it. The fact this TV included the decoder for DirecTV was a nice bonus, at least for me.

I am fortunate to have all four major networks in my area broadcasting an HDTV signal. At least two of them appear to be taking advantage of the new technology, CBS and FOX. They appear to have the best signals and they make me CRAVE! HDTV broadcasts. I watched 'Touched by an Angel' for the first time in my life b/c of the marvel I felt when viewing this crystal clear image. The local news broadcasts are eerie because the clarity is so good you can almost picture the news anchor sitting in your living room. I can't wait to have my satellite dish installed. The cable box is history. I have also finally been able to fully exploit my DVDs, they have never looked better. If you are like me and demand a picture tube over projection screens, and you can't afford plasma, then I can only tell you this is the best TV I have ever owned. That is the good news.

Here is the bad. The obvious one is the lack of video output. I don't find that too surprising though. I have heard a lot of talk around the topic of consumers recording digital signals and how the industry would like to limit it or license it. I won't speculate any further, other than to say it is a major inconvenience when I wish to record a show.

Second, there is no sleep timer.

Third, the PIP has a major shortcoming; it can't operate if even ONE of the sources is Digital. It's very aggravating.

Fourth. This one applies if you are true letterbox fan like myself. The TV will display a 4:3 source great. An example being a standard TV broadcast. It just grays out the area of the screen bordering each side of the image since that part of the image does not exist. It will display a true 16:9 source great. Examples of this are HDTV broadcasts and most DVDs. In that case the full screen is utilized by default. However there is one setting on the TV that is designed to allow you to make the most of a 4:3 source that is letterboxed, like a laserdisc, some DVDs, or a cable broadcast like 'The Sopranos’. It does this by stretching the image both horizontally and vertically, thereby forcing the black bands that sandwich the image off the screen, and increasing the usage of the available real estate. This should work, however applying this setting on my TV slightly heightens the image MORE than widens it, giving the characters on screen a slightly Icabob Crane look, and the image as a whole has a proportionally distorted look. It appears this distortion is accentuated on the left and right sides of the image. That's a shame because the idea is great, but the execution was flawed. (Bonus criticism for nitpickers only: the 'change screen mode' option is hidden in the menu and on the remote. I feel it should have its own button on the remote.)

Incredible TV. Lost points on value for lack of a video output, inadequate PIP, and poor '4:3 expanded' setting.
The overall rating is high because I have yet to see a tube picture this good anywhere. Make sure you are using a good source to see what I am talking about.

Similar Products Used:

First HDTV. Before this I only bought Sony Trinitrons. Actually returned a 36' WEGA to buy this TV.

38" picture tube, beautiful picture, excellent connectivity,
the price is great, when compared to projection TV's, especially since it has DirecTv built in and the Dolby Digital 5.1 optical output.

No Video outputs, so you can't record when your not home,
but why would you want to watch low quality playback on an HDTV?

1) My summary will be short, since reviews are subjective.
First of all, I think there is a tremendous value here.
If you keep waiting for the lowest price, or you want to run around town or rack your brain to save a couple hundred
bucks, go ahead.

2) Large rear projection TV's are nice, but I would rather
have a smaller higher quality picture.

3)Currently I have connected to it: cable TV, a VCR,
and a high-end Pioneer DVD/LD player, using both SVHS and
Component Video outputs. The RCA can improve upon standard
broadcasts from cable and the VCR, since it will upconvert
the signal and has three different levels of noise filtering. DVD's look spectacular, end of statement. I will
have my DirecTV dish up this week, I'll post an update
when I get to watch some HD broadcasts.

4) People are bothered by no video outputs, in a way, so am I. I guess when more digital VCR's come out or the price drops on the dish receivers with built-in recording, I really will want to record. By then, I probably will have bought one of those receivers. I just hope people wise up
and don't fall for the "Pay to Record stuff" ploys currently
being marketing by Tivo and the like. It reminds me of the
DIVX scam, pay to watch a DVD you bought, sheesh.

5) I took the time to adjust the picture and walk through
all the menus, just to get familiar with the set's capabilities. I have no real complaints. I did my homework before the purchase, and am satisfied so far with the features.

6) Have it delivered, and have some friends handy to help move it to it's final destination. It is heavy. Box will not fit through some doorways, barely makes it through others. You might have to unpack it in the garage. Get some help and read the instructions on the box *BEFORE* you cut open the top.

7) The remote - Nicely laid out, hideous color scheme, fairly versatile. Now that I have seven remotes, I have to figure out which one is the best "universal".

8) RCA owner's manuals in general are written for the complete novice. This is good and bad. I like to see a technically written section in manuals for the more savvy person. A lot of the manual is directed at subscribing to DirecTV and the TV's DTV features. I think most people that would want this set either have DirecTV or will get it to take advantage of this set's features.

9) I am looking forward to many hours of enjoyment from my setup. I hope the set proves to be reliable and if I have a problem I can rely on an RCA authorized service center to treat me right. I will judge the entire company on this point if I ever need service.

Happy viewing,
Russ

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba tube TV. NEC monitor.

This is a true High Definition television. It does not require an external receiver or other set-top box to receive digital video or satellite programming (including HDTV via satellite).
The product includes a variety of inputs for VCRs, DVDs and related items. It will accept progressive scan component video inputs. There are also provisions for composite video, two RF sources, digital audio output.
This television is a 38" widescreen (16 x 9) format device that displays extremely clear images from all sources. While the clarity of the image is limited by the source, even over-the-air analog video is surprisingly clear. Digital video and HD video are likewise very clear. HDTV images are spectactular (you could see individual blades of grass on the field during the Super Bowl). This television is able to discern additional information provided by broadcasters, including associated channel information and station call letters from digital signals.

There is no video output, so you can't use the internal satellite receiver for making recordings.
There is currently a recall on first generation versions of this set for color purity problems. These manifest themselves as slight but noticeable color changes after several hours of viewing.

This is a superb and very reasonably priced HDTV. The limitations are minor, the performance exceptional. This is one of the best buys available in high definition video.

Similar Products Used:

This product is manufactured by Thomson, and is available in other brands.

Best HDTV picture I have seen, excellent DTS audio when fed to an outboard audio system, such as my Yamaha RX-V1000 and Phase Technology speakers. Built in DirecTV plus local channels gets me about 100 channels for $34 per month. Channel 509 is HBO HDTV which is excellent and we have one other local HDTV station with the Leno show in HD every night. After watching HD for a while the low resolution broadcasts look awful in comparison. This TV has an excellent HD picture. I have not noticed the color discoloration others are stating. Picture degradations might be due to stray magnetic fields. I have no stray fields where my TV is located and the picture is excellent.

The F38310 has no video output so you cannot do recordings off the internal DirecTV satellite receiver. Cost is a weakness keeping the TV from being widely purchased. Another weakness for HDTV in my area is a lack of programming material. RCA has promised me the upgrade, but have not received it yet. I do get a glitch every once in a while, but its not too objectionable.

I give the F38310 a high rating for performance and features and service. I have had good communications from the RCA and Best Buy people under the optional four year full warranty that I purchased for $800 (in addition to the $3800 price I paid for the TV).

Size, price drop from 5 months ago, integrated High Def and DSS satellite tuner (known as DM-1)

Picture quality is down from the previous PS38000 version. Bad build history with TV having been recalled.

We got a PS38000 TV last October and have had a nightmare since. I am writing this for anyone who has either of the older RCA/Proscan models of this TV. I know you are out there and you have been eagerly awaiting the "redesign."

For those of you who were unaware, the TV was pulled from stores due to a "chip problem" which caused distortion and discoloration on-screen. We were told it was being re-engineered and the defective units would be replaced.

Finally, after 5 months, the new TV is being shipped to stores. I hate to say this but they have been redesigned for the worse. The picture on our older PS38000 is far superior to the 2 RCA sets we have seen.

I apologize to the other three of you posting on this site if you find that statement insulting, but it is true according to four sets of eyes: mine, the wife's, and a few salesmen. It just is not as sharp and dynamic. The previous Proscan was thrilling and the current RCA re-release is pedestrian.

Incidentally, there has been a $1000 price drop and I believe this is not solely attributable to consumer demand. I believe cheaper parts have been utilized. If not, then its even worse as the design is solely to blame.

Unfortunately, there is no hope of seeing a better Proscan version of this TV out. We have been told that if a version does get sold under the Proscan name it will be the exact same TV with no variation (except the name). There will be no upgraded parts.

I almost forgot.... if you bought a custom stand you know how good the old tv looked on it. It had an absolutely precise feel to it as all the lines matched up perfectly. Well, no more. The new TV has flat speakers and so all the lines are off. And no, there is no new stand to be had. You're simply out of luck. Normally, I would consider something like this nitpicking, but when you pay out 4 grand for an ensemble you should get top quality all the way around (that much=no compromises).

I could go on. We had a lot of problems with this TV that I have not mentioned, both with the TV's DM-1 unit and Thompson's customer service. But enough has been said.

I don't expect his posting to keep people from buying the TV, so here's something good. There is currently a free $500 progressive scan DVD being offer with the sale of this TV. If you like the TV and don't mind its negative history jump on the offer.

I am going to give 3 stars for value due to the price drop and the TV size, but a 1 overall because of the complete hell we have been through with our unit and the inferior redesign. TV's should get better, not worse.

Similar Products Used:

We have the PS38000, the precursor to this set

¥Wonderful Picture
¥Large Screen for Direct-View TV
¥Built-in HDTV/DIRECTV¨ Receiver
¥Price

¥No "Video Out" Jack
¥Price

I do not own this TV, therefore this is NOT an extensive review. I just wanted to pass on some information some may deem invaluable, that I gathered on this set while shopping for an HDTV. Thomson Multimedia (The Parent company of RCA has announced a price reduction on this set. As of April 1, 2001 the M.S.R.P. for this set is $2,999. ThatÕs a lot better than $4,299. In fact 21% better! But there is still one flaw with this set that has kept me from taking the plunge. You see this set has an over-the-air HD Receiver and a DIRECTV¨ Satellite Receiver built in. These receivers give you the ability to receive a wide array of programming options including current local broadcast and high-definition (HD) broadcasts where available. In addition, the RCA F38310 will receive and decode standard digital and high-definition DIRECTV¨ programming. This sounds like a wonderful package for $2,999 but the problem is RCA chose not to include a ÒVideo OutÓ Jack on this TV!! Therefore there is no way to record any of that wonderful Hi-Def Programming! To some this may not be a big deal, but to me this is a fatal flaw since I do a lot of Program recording. I can bet you thereÕs someone over at RCA kicking themselves in the head over this, and I can bet you that this "flaw" (plus the fact that this set was pulled from store shelves for six months) had a lot to do with the recent price drop.

All-in-all, if not for the omission of the ÒVideo OutÓ Jack, this looks like a great set. But I think it would take a Òkiller dealÓ for me to spring for this set.