RCA rolls out quartet of hybrid portable TV products

RCA is getting the morning started with a few new releases at the 2011 NAB Show this week in Las Vegas. All of them are hybrid portable TV products.

The word "hybrid" comes in because these battery-operated devices can receive both Mobile DTV and standard digital TV signals in four configurations. RCA touts that these gadgets are the first of their kind to offer reception of either regular or mobile broadcasts transmitted from local TV stations. But you can forget about analog lower power TV signals.

At the bottom of the set we have the 3.5-inch Hybrid Portable Television (model DMT335R), which sports a bright LED-backlit LCD, closed captioning support, and up to four hours of playback time with AA batteries. That one costs $119, but there is a slightly higher-end version (model DMT336R) for $159. Some of the upgrades found on this model include a Lithium Polymer battery and FM radio reception.

The largest display option is found on the 7-inch Hybrid Portable Television (model DMT270R). For $179, you'll get a widescreen with an 800 x 480 resolution and a 500:1 contrast ratio. However, you'll only get three hours of playback time with the integrated Lithium Polymer battery. Rounding out the group is the Pocket Mobile DTV Car Tuner/Receiver (model DMT3BR), which retails for $129 and is boasted to be "smaller than a deck of cards" and is powered by a car charger.