TonyManero
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- First ReviewAugust 26, 2014
- Last ReviewAugust 26, 2014
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- First Review CommentSeptember 23, 2014
- Last Review CommentJanuary 25, 2015
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TonyManero's Reviews
RCA - 55" Class (54-5/8" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - HDTV
RCA LED55C55R120Q LED HDTV: This RCA TV features an expansive 1080p display and a digital comb filter for rich, detailed images in crystal clarity. The spacioius LED screen is ideal for a living room or home theater space.
Low Price, Good Picture, Acceptable Quality
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: TonyManero
from Washington, DC
on August 26, 2014
What's great about it: Low Price, Good Picture Quality
What's not so great: Average motion blurr, 2 HDMI inputs
This is a professional review. Ignore the 3-6% with defects, 5% who had bad buying experience, and 10% who rave about it without much experience.
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We've recently found RCA to be an inconsistent brand in terms of performance. But with very good high-definition picture quality, this lower-priced 55-inch 1080p LCD TV is among the company's better ones, especially for those not looking for many extra features. Sound was below average, though. The TV claims a 120Hz refresh rate, but it wasn't any more effective at reducing motion blur than many 60Hz models. Also, it only has two HDMI connections, which many not be enough high-def inputs for some users if they won't be using an A/V receiver to switch between devices. For about the same money or a bit more, you could do better with a recommended model.
Highs
• Very good color accuracy.
• Very good color accuracy.
Lows
• Edge detail is slightly over enhanced
• Slight backlight non-uniformity.
• Limited viewing angle.
• Visible blurring on our motion tests.
• Screen surface more mirror-like than most.
• Edge detail is slightly over enhanced
• Slight backlight non-uniformity.
• Limited viewing angle.
• Visible blurring on our motion tests.
• Screen surface more mirror-like than most.
Detailed test results
PICTURE QUALITY. This model had very good high-definition picture quality. It did a very good job displaying fine detail. Edges of objects in the image stood out too much because of over-enhancement. Color accuracy was very good, with images looking quite natural. Contrast--the difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites--was good, so images showed some depth and dimension. In this respect, the TV was similar to most of the models we test. The brightness level was good, making it a suitable choice for most rooms. In scenes with subtly shaded light-to-dark areas, such as a sky during sunset, the TV did an excellent job producing a smooth transition without distinct, coarse bands. Slight uneven brightness effect created cloudy areas most noticeable on very dark scenes. We routinely see this type of issue with many brands of LCD TVs, regardless of the type of backlight used (CCFL or LED#. Though it's generally not a significant problem, it can vary in degree from TV to TV. Film mode operation for HD film-based content was excellent, with no visible jaggies along the edges of objects during motion scenes. Deinterlacing on the other hand was only good, with some jaggies visible when converting 1080i content to the display's native resolution.
VIEWING ANGLE. This RCA has a moderate viewing angle overall, decent, but not quite as good as the better-performing LCD sets we've tested. The optimal seating position for best picture quality is directly in front of the TV. If your family is seated in chairs off to the side of the TV, they'll see decent but compromised image quality.
When we moved off to the sides the horizontal viewing angle was good; the picture showed a slight loss of color so flesh tones looked a bit washed out. Black levels brightened significantly, making dark scenes look hazy. When viewing the image from above or below eye level to the screen, the vertical viewing angle was good. The picture showed some change in color, contrast, and black level.
MOTION BLUR. This RCA TV has only fair motion performance, with significant blurring on our motion tests. Though it claims to have a higher frame rate than 60Hz, a feature designed to reduce motion blur, it could not be found in the menu, and performance was worse than on models with an effective similar feature. On typical program content, the blurring effect is often fleeting and may not bother most people. However, keen-eyed viewers may detect the loss of texture and detail on scenes with movement, especially in high-quality video such as a Blu-ray movie.
SCREEN REFLECTIVITY. Though not as mirror-like as on some LCDs, this screen surface is glossy and therefore susceptible to reflections from a nearby lamp or window. The screen is dark so it does a good job reducing glare from ambient light and maintains contrast even in a bright room.
SOUND QUALITY. This TV's sound was only fair, acceptable for typical programming but shortcomings become obvious with movie soundtracks and music. It has a limited volume range, allowing the TV to play only adequately loud. At moderate volume settings the TV's sound had decent bass with lacking impact, and was moderately thin sounding. Also, there was very apparent dynamic volume compression active that keeps the sound from distorting, but this also limits clarity in audio content when there are peaks in loudness. If sound quality matters to you, you might want to add a soundbar or other external speaker system to this set.
EASE OF USE. Overall, we found the set easy to use. Setting up the TV for the first time was very easy, as was access to features and controls you'll probably adjust only once. Ease of access to features you typically use more often was very good. Also, the remote is satisfactory, and the on-screen menu is very easy to navigate.
Lacks the ability to add custom labels to different input sources.
STAND ASSEMBLY. Mounting the TV to the included support stand is easy, though the stand requires the assembly of two parts before mounting.
INTERNET FEATURES. This TV does not have access to the Internet.
CONNECTIONS. This TV includes two HDMI inputs, one shared connection between the component and composite inputs #which means you can only use one type or the other at a time#, coaxial digital audio out, and one USB port. This TV has no type of wireless connectivity. The cable connections on the rear panel are recessed with side or bottom-facing ports, so wires don't protrude beyond the display's depth.
INCLUDED IN THE BOX. The TV comes with: a printed user manual, an electronic manual in the TV's menu, a quick start guide, and a remote with batteries.
OPTIMIZED PICTURE SETTINGS. Our expert TV testers recommend the following settings for the RCA LED55C55R120Q to get your image looking like the rated picture quality we saw in our lab.
Accessing the picture controls is simple; press the menu button on your remote and navigate to the picture settings menu where you'll see most of the controls. To find some other controls you may additionally have to enter the "advanced settings" or the "picture options" sub menus #na#e may vary depending on model## Don't worry about making any "mistakes," you can always reset the picture settings to factory default if necessary# Consult your user manual for additional guidance#
PICTURE SETTINGS#
Picture Mode: User
Contrast #Picture#: 41
Brightness: 55
Color: 43
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 0
Color Temperature: Warm
Backlight: NA
Aspect Ratio: Full 100%
Miscellaneous: Film Mode = On, All else off or 0
Picture Mode: User
Contrast #Picture#: 41
Brightness: 55
Color: 43
Tint: 0
Sharpness: 0
Color Temperature: Warm
Backlight: NA
Aspect Ratio: Full 100%
Miscellaneous: Film Mode = On, All else off or 0
SPECIAL NOTE: Because this TV lacks a backlight control typically available on LCD TVs, we had to use the contrast control setting to reduce the overall screen brightness.
TV FIRMWARE. All TVs are evaluated using the latest firmware version available at the time of testing.
Firmware version for RCA LED55C55R120Q is: Not Stated
Firmware version for RCA LED55C55R120Q is: Not Stated
To optimize the image we typically turn off #or turn down# the settings from features that can often degrade performance, including; power saving modes #which often dim the image#, sharpness, noise reduction #also known as DNR, a feature that can degrade image detail#, and "motion smoothing", if present #an effect that can give movie film content a soap opera, video-like appearance#. Optimal settings for your TV may vary a bit from ours due to slight variations between similar TV samples, or the firmware version of the TV's software.
ABOUT CR'S TV VIEWING CONDITIONS: Our picture settings are optimized for a dimmer home viewing environment. If the settings we recommend don't suit your taste or your environment, use the picture controls to achieve an image you consider "just right."
ABOUT FIRMWARE VERSION: Our test results and picture settings are valid for the version of firmware indicated. If your TV's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the TV's firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your TV via a wired or wireless network #if internet capable#, USB port, or memory card, depending on your TV's capability. You can check your TV's firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer's website if further guidance is needed.
The RCA LED55C55R120Q is a 55-inch LCD HDTV with a native resolution of 1920x1080 #1080p#. It has LED backlighting, a more energy-efficient type of backlighting. Rather than the basic 60Hz, it has a faster 120Hz frame rate, a feature designed to reduce motion blur.
There are 3 HD-capable inputs: 2 HDMI and 1 component-video, which doubles as a composite-video input. It also has a USB port, which may be used to play media--photos, videos, and music--stored on a flash drive or memory card reader on the TV.
The RCA LED55C55R120Q measures 31.7 inches high by 49.8 inches wide by 10.6 inches deep, including its base. The panel itself is 4.2 inches thick including any protrusions, and the screen has a glossy finish. The bezel framing the screen is gloss black.
The warranty on this TV covers parts/labor for 12/12 months, respectively.
About This Brand
RCA is a trademarked line of TVs distributed in the U.S. by ON Corporation, a Korea-based global consumer electronics manufacturer. RCA offers value-based LCD TVs and TV/DVD Combos. Its TVs range in size from 19 inches up to 70 inches, and are available from Sears, Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, and online.
This product has... Easy to set up, Great value and features for the price
About me... Casual viewer
I would recommend this to a friend!
Internet Connectable?No
+17points
17out of 17found this review helpful.
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TonyManero's Answers
Can I route my Apple TV through the blue ray player's hdmi or optical ports?
Our sony tv blew its hdmi so now we can't use our Apple TV. Can we somehow route the apple tv through the blue ray player (Sony) using the optical ports or the hdmi? We tried hooking the Apple TV up using optical cable from apple tv to TV but no joy.
Your Sony TV has only 1 available HDMI ? OK, HD video is either digital via HDMI, or analog via component. Does the Apply have a component output -- 3 video + 2 audio. Other choice is "yellow" RCA video which isn't HD (SD only). If none, then you're stuck.
9 years, 3 months ago
by
Posted by:
TonyManero
from
Washington DC
RCA - 55" Class (54-5/8" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - HDTV
RCA LED55C55R120Q LED HDTV: This RCA TV features an expansive 1080p display and a digital comb filter for rich, detailed images in crystal clarity. The spacioius LED screen is ideal for a living room or home theater space.
can you use this outdoors?
No. Not recommended.
The air flow grill works will allow water & liquids, sand, dirt & debris to enter. And if you have extreme temperatures, it would not be good for electronic devices from rapid contraction/expansion, etc. But you can try it over time and let us know.
The air flow grill works will allow water & liquids, sand, dirt & debris to enter. And if you have extreme temperatures, it would not be good for electronic devices from rapid contraction/expansion, etc. But you can try it over time and let us know.
9 years, 8 months ago
by
Posted by:
TonyManero
from
Washington DC