I have one......

[dave420]

I bought 2 weeks ago a RCA D36120 36"HDTV and in my opinion this is a pretty tight TV. I still need to buy the HDTV receiver, but for now I am happy. I cant wait to get the true HDTV!!!! YEAH!!!!:D

[dave420]

I finally bought a DTC-100 for 200 at best buy (open box) but with no 18x24 dish. I am now using 2 18" round dishes and my hd is frickin cool! I cant beleive it! It looks even better than the floor models displaying 1080i. AWESOME!!!!!!

[BobV]

Dave, I really appreciate reading about your experience with the RCA D36120. It was one of four Direct-view HD-ready 36inch TVs recommended in the March 2002 Consumer Reports. The other three were:
1. SONY KV36XBR450
2. TOSHIBA 36HF71
3. HITACHI 36UDX10S
There are no postings on these three though.
I've been doing research on DTVs for over a week now and have found this site an excellent source of information, with some very well-informed and helpful afficionados. As a result of all I have read and seen in the last week, I have arrived here in your camp for the following reasons:
1. A 36 inch set is about the maximum size for my viewing room.
2. If I don't need more than 36 inches, there is no need to go to a projection TV with the extra problems associated with them (convervence, complex adjustment, etc.)
3. A 36 inch Direct-View HD set can have all the features of the larger sets and save some floor space and maybe a few bucks as well.
Anyway, now that I know WHAT I want, it is just a matter of selecting which one, so now I'm looking for reviews of sets in your category. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for the D36120. I want the HD tuner separate too, so I can see that you recommend the RCA DTC 100 receiver too. I went to the RCA site and read the specs on the unit and they satisfy what I want to do with it.
Maybe you can help me out with a couple of questions. One of my BIG concerns is how standard TV signals look on a DTV. I saw a very blotchy demonstration at Best Buy on an RCA 52" projection TV, and 57U substantiated that it can be pretty bad, depending on the built-in upconversion circuit. The specs on your D36120 state:
"Progressive Scan Up Conversion

The new RCA HDTV|monitor series employs motion adaptive up conversion using spatial and temporal filtering to de-interlace NTSC video. This process digitally combines two fields of data into one high-resolution image frame "

I believe this means that I can connect my cable input to the TV in jack on the D36120 and see a picture that looks as good or better than a standard broadcast TV set. Are you doing this and do you agree? If so, that takes care of being able to use my current cable subscription.
Next, I want to receive my local HDTV stations via an antenna. I think I can feed my antenna into that DTC100 receiver and connect its output to one of the S-video inputs to the D36120 and achieve that too. Do you agree?
Next, I want to connect my ECPC (Entertainment Center Personal Computer) to one of the other S-video inputs and expect to see it displayed as good as on a computer monitor. (I don't really expect you to answer that, but maybe someone else will)

I think I'll wait for your response to this before going any further. Thanks for sharing your experience with the D36120.

[dave420]

I have had this tv for almost 6 months now. Bob... GO BUY IT.


Yes- it will look as good or better than tv on your current set. No blotchiness. But then again that depends a lot on how good your cable companies feed is, of course.

Your OTA antenna- You hook that up to your dtc-100, and feed it to your tv via the seperate high resolution input on the tv (its the same input as a computer monitor)

Your computer to tv via s-vid will not look that great... but better than on your current set.

BUY IT NOW~~ BOB. BUY IT NOW YOU WILL BE HAPPY JUST LIKE ME.
D36120 is the best direct-view tv for the price.. hehe BUY IT.

[BobV]

Dave,
After considerably more research I think you may be right. You got a great deal on your tuner. Those things list for $550.
Let me know where you got the D36120. Since it has been six months, I may be able to do a little better.
Now that I have my benchmarks, I think I'll do a little shopping tomorrow.

[dave420]

You can probally pick one up (with the stand) for about 1400 now. Compared to 1900 when I bought it. Its still a great deal for the tv. And if you have a best buy or circuit city just look once in awhile for a open box unti. CANT GO WRONG for 200 BUCKS!!! Keep me posted as to what you buy. Either way!!!

[BobV]

Dave, I went for a 43inch Sony KP43HT20, to be delivered 8/14. Bought it at Best Buy for $1349. I started a new thread in the Sony forum to place my reviews/results.
Thanks for your help in getting to my decision. You made some good testimonials for RCA, and I'll never know which provides the better 800x600 S-video display. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Sony will be adequate.