Olevia LT30HV 30" HDTV-Ready Flat-Panel LCD TV

Rating:
Summary: good value
Review:
originally bought the 27" around Christmas time - watched iRobot and played some Xbox but took it back when the HH Greg rebate increased at the end of the month ($1100 after incentives)... happy with the decision (using the LCD for a computer monitior, also, and the resolution seemed to sync better on the 30")

my 30" came with a superior remote, as well - would be nice if it glowed in the dark, though :P

initially, i was disappointed over the DVD aspect ratio/zoom situation already mentioned but i choos to blame Hollywood (boo widescreen!)

definitely recommend using composite (Psyclone)/DVI (Monster)cables - noticed a "swimming" effect (imagine TV static fuzz) inside of white content without them; also detected pixelation in the sky of Matrix:Revolutions end fight scene but that was the only time and i was only a couple of feet from the screen (already watched following: Kill Bill 1/2, Hero, Anchorman, Matrix II/III, and Dodgeball with exceptional results)

i can't say that i noticed any ghosting (inability to correctly transition images from one position on the screen without simultaneous display of intermediate images) while watching movies or playing Xbox; haven't tried Unreal on the PC, yet, but i'm confident that any problems will be a function of my video card's inadequacy

the Xbox looks great on this screen - played KOTORII and Top Spin so far; it's not the quality that i hoped for but the clarity is superior to analog TV

i've heard reports that the light/dark contrast isn't so hot; i'm pretty picky and i'd say that this device has no difficulty reproducing deep black and bright white

also, people have complained about the absence of specific color (red) settings - adjusting this value is possible when using composite inputs; i'm currently using the default, factory, settings, though, and am thoroughly pleased

it doesn't offer the 1200x1600 resolution of my laptop monitor but it can achieve 1400x700 using a DVI input cable which is suitable for a desktop machine (i'm a coder, not a graphik artist); in Win2K the text is crisp and clear and should be better with XP since it's got built-in LCD friendly character interpolation; try Virtual Desktop (similar to Sun's multi-screen) if the screen space isn't sufficient; also, the applications suggested on other sites for adjusting the input resolution work well ("powerstrip") but "multires" from the same company is fine, easy, and free

one aggrevation about the TV is that there is an annoying noise when it's on; my speakers are disconnected (they're trash - about the same as come with cheap computers) so it's not feedback as i first suspected...it's not audible when the monitor is off or there's audio content playing (i said i was picky!)

warning: one of the review sites i read mentioned that it's possible for LCDs to exhibit a type of burn-in that appears to be reversible in certain circumstances; fact or fiction, i don't know but recommend not leaving the thing every night while the CNN ticker clicks along

speaking of standard TV, i plugged the coax cable into the TV tonight and was surprised at the quality of the picture; it's not as good as on an analog set but certainly would suffice except for a couple of channels (4 out of 70 were pretty bad: CNN, MSNBC, FOX, and Comedy Central - everything else looked decent); i'm guessing that HDTV would be spectacular (much like DVD) but it will be a while before i buy into that...

my only complaint thus far is a defect pixel; it's not dead but appears to be dying (on the no-input blue screen it's black, however, when there is video content it's not noticable); this is one major disadvantage to the technology which simply must be accepted for now; i decided that it wasn't worth boxing it up and returning it

with regard to aesthetics, i think it's a sharp box; there's a strip of brushed aluminumish accent near the bottom where the buttons are; the glowing blue light which indicates standby mode is a neat touch; the top of the base is clearish along the lines of a Macintosh (ripoff, true, but shows a little extra effort)

to conclude, this is a stupendous piece of equipment at a bargain basement price; yes, there are superior units available if you have $ to burn but seriously consider the Olevia when balancing cost/performance


Rating:
Summary: A very big bang for the buck
Review: I have had the 27" Syntax/Olevia LCD T.V. for two months.At the price it sells for there is no other T.V. in it's class that even comes close to it's superb performance.It's nice to be able to have the option of changing aspect ratios.The picture is brilliant and razor sharp.Contrast is amazing.I haven't seen it on H.D.T.V. yet,but when I play a DVD it is a revelation.Much sharper than the picture on a movie screen.I researched LCD T.V.'s for three months before I purchased the Olevia;including reading many reviews and looking at them in stores.The only other T.V. I saw that can equal it's performance in the 26"-27" range is the Sharp Aquos and it COSTS TWICE AS MUCH.If you want to save a thousand dollars and still have an awesome T.V. to watch buy the 27" Olevia.You won't be sorry.P.S. not even one dead pixel! Jim McCluskey Hermosa Beach,CA.

Rating:
Summary: Best Bang for the Buck
Review: Actually got this unit somewhere else for a little less. You still cant beat the price if you compare it to comparable 30" models with 1280 x 768 lines. The other models are selling for around $2000 and higher.<br /><br />It's so sharp that I can use it as a computer monitor. Which I did for 2 weeks. Text was very clear (using DVI cable, it was slightly blurry with the vga cable) and the graphics were amazing. Can you believe the screen was TOO big, especially when I sit 2 feet away. So for now, it's a bedroom TV.<br /><br />Final note: U will see and appreciate the exceptional resolution on this TV/monitor if you use high definition TV input or DVI input from a computer. I say this because some retailers are showing normal Direct TV or cable stations on this TV. That's like driving 55 mph all the time in a 500 hp Dodge Viper. It can do 200 mph if you give it the right input.<br /><br />So happy with my 30 Syntax, I'm looking for another LCD or Plasma. I suggest a minimum of 1024 lines or higher. Forget about Enhanced TV or 852 lines. It's cheaper but go for higher lines if you plan to use HDTV.<br /><br />Basic Guide:<br />Lines- higher the better<br />Brightness- higher the better<br />Contrast- higher the better<br />Response- lower the better<br /><br />PS. Syntax got very good reviews from various indepedent sources. Search Syntax Group via Yahoo and see the reviews for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Great buy!
Review: For a full review see http://ruggiero.cjb.net/forums and click on the link for 'MY NEW LCD TV'

Rating:
Summary: What a fantastic LCD panel for the price!
Review: From the very moment I took it out of the box and set it up which was very easy to do, I have been 200% completely thrilled with this LCD panel's superb performance as well as the incredible quality of the picture. Using it in the master bedroom, the 30" size is just right.
Especially using a DVD player and hooking up your computer produces exceptional results. I am completely happy with this TV every single day I use it and enjoy it greatly! I can highly recommend this 30" LCD panel.

Rating:
Summary: Beware of the reviews - This TV is average at best
Review: I bought this 20" Olevia in the throes of a day after [...] I figured it would be a great TV for the bedroom (or maybe the kitchen someday). For the price, I was not too concerned about all the technical details but when I finally got it home and played around with it: I knew that it wouldn't be in my house for long.

PROBLEMS:

1. Adjusting for proper brightness/sharpness/hue/contrast is all over the place. Just when you think you've got it tweaked to a reasonable picture - change to a different channel and you have to start all over again. I'm sorry but I'm not going to adjust all those options every time the channel changes.

2. No sleep timer??? Whoever decided to omit this very basic feature was definitely asleep at the drawing board. I've got $50 TV's that have a sleep time on it.

3. Sound was pretty weak on it too but the least of my problems.

I cannot believe that people are raving about this TV. I understand the 27" and 30" are better than the cost-saving measures they applied to the 20".

Even though it was a cheap TV (almost disposable at that price). I decided to box it back up and pay a couple hundred bucks more for quality. Buyer beware.

Rating:
Summary: Great Purchase! Absolute Love!
Review: I bought this and just received it yesterday. I would say I am totally happy with this. The picture clarity combined with my Comcast cable in HD is amazing! I have ordered the new HD DVD player from Samsung as well, I hope it looks just as good, I assume it will. I can't complain about the price on this unit, especially in comparison to the Sharp Aquos... The only other thing I would change is the availability of a black or charcoal color... If you are thinking about buying this you shouldn't need to think very hard.

Rating:
Summary: Great Product. Exceeded expectations
Review: I did a great deal of research and shopping around before committing to the Syntax/Olevia 30" set. From what I found, there is no other product out there of this quality and image level at this price point. Hats off to Syntax for a great product. The unit performs as good or better than expected based on other reviews I have read. Many bad comments on the remote, but mine works fine from just about any distance, but is a little sensitive to angle. FYI If you have a universal remote, you may not find Syntax codes in the manual, so try the various RCA codes available... one of these should probably work... it did with my SA Cable Set Top Universal Remote.

I have not seen the TV operate with and HD input yet. Still anxiously waiting for my cable company to come out and hook me up. The quality on standard Digital Cable is still outstanding, exceeding my expectations, even on an S-video input. I plan to use the DVI-D interface for HD Cable ..... can't wait! DVD's are awesome when using Component inputs (Y Pb Pr). Sound is fine with built in speakers... not great, but more than acceptable. I did not notice the audible noise or humm that others reported.

The unit is very sleek and stylish and put together well. It would make a nice addition to anybody's home theater or bedroom, which is where we have ours set up.

Rating:
Summary: Great bang for the buck.
Review: I gave this 4 stars since I have not received my Amazon rebate yet. Picture quality is very good expecially the HDTV. I truly don't think the extra grand or two for a brand name LCD will be worth it once you view the picture quality. I highly recommend buying this TV.





Rating:
Summary: A Pleased Guest
Review: I have had this model for 1 1/2 months, and have 5 more days to return it if I am not satisfied. I have used every device I can think of w/this LCD TV to put it thru every trial I can think of before making my decision to keep it. The only problem I have had was day 1 the picture was unclear and I freaked! Then I called Syntax's wonderful customer service tech support in the USA! I have called 3 times and spoke with the same tech (rare and almost immpossible to find these days b/c most companies won't hire USA tech's anymore, they hire cheap labor from other countries) I was told that I may have a weak signal via cable in my area. The tech was going to have a tech come ASAP to check it out and scheduled a service call in my home. That night was too curious and called Radio Shack to se if there was any device that could improve a weak cable signal. (Yes, there is) I bought a very inexpensive signal booster and viola a perfect picture. I called and cancelled the scheduled service call and am very delighted to have found a simple solution. Synatax could improve its instruction guide as it is a bit lean, but a quick call to Syntax (no being on hold for hours and talking to someone in a foreign country) and questions were answered promtly and clearly by a tech who spoke perfect english. You can't find a better deal than this. I did a lot of research and was leary b/c of the low price, but it is a keeper! You won't return yours either is my best bet... In conclusion, I will just add that I hope this company does well with its great new products that are in a price range that people like me can afford. I also am hoping they can continue offer such good prices w/out using cheap labor from another country like most all other companies now do.