RCA is Crap

[tawhite]

Thought I would relate my recent experience with Thompson(RCA) so those of you who are considering purchasing an TV or other electronics can make you own informed decision. I purchased a RCA Scenium 50" DLP HDTV in Februrary 2004 for $3000. On June 20, 2005 it went black. I had a tech come look at it and after some effort he was able to obtain error codes which indicated a failure of the light engine. This seems to be comparable to the picture tube in a standard set.

The killer is the cost of this part is $1500 with $500 to replace it. Yes, a $2000 repair on a $3000 television which is 4 months out of warranty. Gonna happen? NOT!

I called Thompson who initially indicated they would consider replacing the part but have since told me to take a flying leap! Now, granted they have no legal obligation to fix the set as it is out of warranty but from a customer service standpoint they are sucking ass! I have filed a written request through their customer review board as well as complaint with the BBB. I am not expecting them to help at this point.

The television is currently as the shop being looked at further, maybe a used part will get it working for a while.

Anyway this is my last purchase of an RCA product.

Make your own decision!

 

[Shawn95GT]

I have the non-Scenium version of that set. I bought it in Jan this year.

I've priced the bulb assy and it costs $800. That is nearly half of what I paid for the TV! On the newer sets RCA changed it so that you can replace just the bulb (not the whole assembly) and the cost is a lot less.

On the whole my set has been pretty nice. The original remote crapped out durning a couple month term of non use (while I had Voom). I went to use the remote post-Voom and it was dead as a doornail. RCA replaced it free of charge. I've had the replacemement for about 3 weeks and the replacement is already intermittent .

I'm getting fed up with the built-in ATSC tuner and may just resurrect one of the Voom boxes for OTA HD.

 

[jgantert]

I have a standard rear projector 52" HD RCA set, and its been fine for me. Bought it back in Nov '03 for $1K and no problems since. It's very simular to the same model they sell now except it has the non-glare screen.

As for light bulbs, do all DLP and LCD rear projectors have this issue of them burning out frequently?

-John

 

[Stargazer]

If I were you I would stay clear of all RCA/GE/Thompson products.

 

[tawhite]

The only thing that still works on my DLP is the light bulb. Lights up but no picture. Haven't heard any more from the tech, hoping he can slap in a used board or something and get it working. Regardless I am done with RCA after this!

 

[korsjs]

i would never buy a rca product.

 

[hancox]

You might be able to do what I did when my RCA went bad...

See if your credit card company will extend the warranty a year (most golds / platinums will).

If so, submit your estimate to them, and they will reimburse you at least the amount of the repair, if not the whole amount of the purchase price.

Worked out ok for me - went from a POS RCA to a Sony XBR