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RCA L46WD22: Review

Posted to Televisions 2009-03-21

If you're searching for a reasonably priced large screen LCD HDTV, the RCA L46WD22 deserves a look. This 46 inch widescreen model features 1366x768 resolution, digital and analog tuners, and supports 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i display formats. The L46WD22 has a wealth of I/O options, making it a good base on which to build a home theater system.

Inputs include RF, 2 S-video (1 rear, 1 side), USB, 2 composite video and audio (1 rear, 1 side), PC VGA, PC audio, component video, 2 HDMI, and 1 audio for DVI. Outputs include composite audio out, digital audio out (coaxial), and a headphone jack. The unit ships with a 3-device universal remote control and is Energy Star compliant. The TV also features on-screen menus in English, Spanish or French, two built-in stereo speakers, channel labeling, and one-button auto-tune.

Rating:

3.4 out of 5

Quality

Users have reported some quality issues with this model. Problems with the sound cutting off and on, and with the unit not wanting to power on. The overall build quality (fit and finish) is quite good, and most users have not experienced any problems. Still, if you decide to purchase this unit you should do so from a retailer that has a good in-house repair department and/or makes good on returns for 90 days.

Value

This set produces excellent video quality, especially in HD. If you don't have an HD source, you might be disappointed in the video quality, however. And its wealth of I/O options enables easy setup as the centerpiece for a home theater system. The price is better than similarly specified competitive models by quite a wide margin, so it represents an excellent value for the money. Just keep the above-mentioned quality issues in mind and be prepared to deal with them in exchange for the excellent value.

Summary

RCA has a reputation for quality products at reasonable prices. And while a few users have reported quality issues with this set, it does represent a good value. The performance is on par with the competition, and the I/O options are outstanding. The only thing missing is multimedia card support; however the USB input does allow you to view images from your digital camera or video recorder. If you're looking for an HD-ready widescreen LCD TV and on a budget, the L46WD22 deserves a look.

Pros

46 inch LCD Display
1366 x 768 resolution
HD compatible - supports 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i input formats
Wealth of I/O options

Cons

Some users have reported quality issues