RCA announces HDV5000 HD DVD player

We first saw RCA's HDV5000 at CES in January, and true to their word here we are in April with the launch release in our hands. Expected MSRP still stands at $500, and the device will feature HDMI and component outs supporting 720p / 1080i (plus up-converstion of standard DVDs), S/PIDF, 5.1 channel surround out, and a network connect, as expected -- really nothing out of the ordinary here. Expect to see this ship next month, and to appear in stores in June.

[Jester @ Apr 18th 2006 5:20PM]

Very Interesting...

[2Cents @ Apr 18th 2006 5:40PM]

Since HD DVD is capable of 1080p, buying this device is almost worthless (for those interested in HD/DVD or Blueray).

This apparently doesnt do 1080p? 2-3 years from now you would realy which you hadnt purchased this.

[Gary @ Apr 18th 2006 6:02PM]

Hey, why is there an ethernet jack on the back of the box?

Gary

[jon @ Apr 18th 2006 6:29PM]

so considering that we know now that HD-DVD's will do 1080p...and my tv has 1080p....is anyone going to make a player that outputs 1080p? please?

[Jake @ Apr 18th 2006 6:51PM]

Isn't this just a re-packaged/re-badged Toshiba?

Pretty sure it is...

[Dave @ Apr 18th 2006 7:09PM]

Anyone know who's coming out with the first 1080p out HD-DVD player--and when?

[Glen @ Apr 18th 2006 9:38PM]

Ethernet connection? I thought that was an Optical Out! Maybe I'm wrong... Meanwhile, no DVD audio, no SACD... Maybe I'm just aiming too high for a DVD player. This one won't do for me.

[Ryan Block @ Apr 18th 2006 9:54PM]

Yep, there's Ethernet. Blu-ray and HD DVD players should all have one, far as I understand, to be used for updating the device's firmware, crypto keys, and accessing multimedia on the net.

Best, Ryan

[anthonysimilion @ Apr 18th 2006 11:19PM]

Looks like a rebadged Toshiba to me as well.

[Kevin @ Apr 18th 2006 11:59PM]

The eithernet is for the interactive layer of HD, and possible firmware. The interactive layer will do some cool things if it'll ever work. But as far as buying this today, yeah hold off, you are going to be missing 7.1 surround sound and the interactive layer is not fully funtional right now since 7.1 is a major part of the interactive layer. This is only good for watching movies in HD but you'll be able to do that with on demand and new PVR's coming out.

[Gary C @ Apr 19th 2006 1:15AM]

What is up with the 80s design theme with these players? I'm surprised that they didn't go for the mechanical switches while they were at it!

[hmurchison @ Apr 19th 2006 1:53AM]

2Cents

Go lookup Inverse Telecine. You're info is wrong. If the originating video is 1080p then with proper IT you can reconstruct the progressive image.

I believe this is a rebadged Toshiba model. Same chassis buttons are square instead of round.

[wim @ Apr 19th 2006 2:20AM]

and why is there a (noisy) fan in the back..?
rediculous, all pc manufacterers are trying to adopt passive cooling and more and more consumer electronics brands are putting in very cheap and thus noisy fans. cut it!

[Don @ Apr 19th 2006 7:49AM]

It sure is a rebadged Toshiba. RCA (even before being owned by Thomson) sold VCRs under Hitachi, Sanyo, Matsushita (Panasonic), Samsung, and countless other companies.

I think this iteration of HD-DVD player as the less-flashy version (read: cheaper) of what's out there.

[Andy @ Apr 19th 2006 1:02PM]

K, still fuzzy on something, will it support all the way to 1080i through components? Just curious, got a non dvi/hdmi monitor, getting boned everywhere for upconversion. Just curious if this will support straight hd-dvd through component at all supported resolutions. Thanks,

Andy

[oedipus @ Apr 19th 2006 1:59PM]

as Gary C pointed out, why do they always revert back to version 0.1 looks when rolling out new technology? All the progress made in aesthetics and they go right back to zero. Looks like my two-piece circa-1981 RCA VCR. Then again, it is RCA (Thomson).

[navstar @ Apr 20th 2006 11:28PM]

I wish RCA would drop that 80's two-tone case design. Two-tone went out with the NES!