Syntax Olevia LT37HVE 37" LCD TV

Excellent value in a high-def LCD TV

Strengths: Exciting picture quality, low price, overall appearance, top specs, wealth of connections.

Weaknesses: Speakers, remote - see others' comments.

Summary: I've been thrilled with my new Syntax Olevia 37" LCD. High-def programming from Comcast actually exceeds my expectations. Caution - the reports are true - a high definition TV definitely does accentuate the graininess of low quality broadcast or tape images! You will find yourself watching a PBS documentary in high-def instead of your favorite reruns of "Law & Order".

My buying experience (PC Connection $1399 w/ free shipping) was flawless, delivery and packaging perfect. I'm impressed with the obvious quality in design and manufacture of the set. There are NO bad pixels, no visible reflection of ambient light sources, in short - no unpleasant surprises. Don't we wish all our electronics purchases were so satisfying?

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Solid product.

Strengths: Price / performance.

Weaknesses: Zoom function.

Summary: I got this unit for about $1500, which is really good price for a big LCD like this. The VGA output from my laptop is crisp and clear; progress scan output from DVD player is pretty good too. The only downside is its zoom function. According to its manual, it should blow-up the image without changing the aspect ratio. But that's not true, both width and height increases, but more in width. Furthermore, the zoom is a one step zoom, so you cannot fine tune it.

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Overall I am very satisfied with TV set for the pr ...

Strengths: inexpensive, nice picture

Weaknesses: slow channel surfing

Summary: Overall I am very satisfied with TV set for the price I paid. Includes all the basic features I currently need, dual analog tuner for PIP, and DVI input. I enjoy channel surfing when I watch TV so I like to be able to flip through the channels quickly. This TV is kinda slow at changing channels and when you hold the up or down channel arrow on the remote, it only changes one channel then stops.

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I took a chance on this brand after looking around ...

Strengths: Low price, clear/crisp picture quality, size, appearance, numerous input connections.

Weaknesses: Speakers are not removable, remote control is not very hi-tech and abit clunky, HDTV tuner not built-in, manual talks about about features that aren't available as of yet (i.e. DTV)

Summary: I took a chance on this brand after looking around and researching different brands/models. I haven't been disappointed so far. Took it out of the box, plugged it in and it worked like a charm. Great deal for the price. This tv offers all the features I was looking for in a LCD Flat TV at a fraction of the cost (Picture-in-Picture, superb viewing angles). Picture quality has been excellent in terms of clarity and colors after tweaking the settings abit. The HD channels on my cable box look amazing especially while watching sports programs. The sound quality from the speakers are decent as is but I hooked up a home theater system to it. I like the fact that it has so many input connections and the backlit panel is a useful bonus. I had debated getting plasma or LCD and I'm glad I went with LCD. Only problem with LCD were the size and price but Syntax solved that. I haven't had any problems with dead pixels which was a concern of mine originally. Syntax may not be a top 'name' brand yet but it also isn't something you find on street corner. I think it's a bargain that most people haven't discovered. I'm glad I got one before their prices start going up. Highly recommended. Nothing to lose, especially with 1 year warranty. They offer an extended warranty as well. I may even buy one of their 32" LCDs for the bedroom. I hope this review helps you with your decision. Bottom line it's a tv worth buying especially for the price.

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• I bought a LT37HVE and I tell you the DVI connection works terrib...

Great Buy for this price

Strengths: Excellent for HDTV with Its Current Price and Picture Quality

Weaknesses: Remote, No ATSC in this model (wait for the current coming model)

Summary: 2005-08-13 23:24:56 I bought 37" Olevia 2 weeks ago thru Target/Amazon with 10% off coupon. So far it exceeded my expectations. First I used with my direct Analog TV connection and it worked great. Some people complain about regular tv channels not showing good, but it might be due to their signal strength also. I had an amplifier installed on the cable before. When I shut down that, the view looked grainy. However, it is mostly good with the amplifier although signal quality/color/contrast change between channels. Contrast/brightness levels need adjustment sometimes. Then I got Cox HDTV and it is excellent quality with the DVI connection from box. The box component connection somehow was showing my analog channels not good as previous direct rf-antenna link. I recommend highly on the DVI connection. I can watch the IMAX documentaries within couple feet with no resolution problem. The detail is amazing. I rented some DVD's, but I didn't have too much time to watch after HDTV channels. The IMAX dvd also looked very good in component cable versus some older movies from 70's looked not as good. I see some edge resolution problems with some non-HDTV channels with DVI connection as I read in cnet review. It might be good to have maybe zooming adjustments like in computer monitors as for edge correction. With my laptop vga connection, the 1280x768 view do not fit 100% although you can stretch/zoom. I haven't used much except adjusting/testing colors between 2 lcd screens. It has blue/red/green color adjustments. Tint, saturation and noise reduction are off with DVI connection. I see that finally they have a newer model with HDMI connection instead of DVI and a ATSC tuner. Final say, excellent buy for this price. It uses the same LCD screen with LG-Phillips models but nearly at the half price (90% of all lcd units produced by 5 companies). I was going for 30-32" range due to prices before I see this model, and it fits better in my living room. I highly recommend LCD screens for watching tv compared to a plasma due to burn-out problems. I don't care now whether it fits 100% or not. The speakers are OK, even loud for the neighbours with movie and music options. No quality problems so far, no bad pixels. I give overall 4.5 stars. Until 40-45" LCD prices get cheaper, it is the best buy overall for budget concerned buyers.

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Unbeatable Picture Quality, Specifications, Price and Over-All Value

Strengths: Great picture quality in all three modes, fantastic split screens, lots and lots of inputs, dual tuners, and special AV rear panel illuminator light.

Weaknesses: Unsophisticated remote control, some unavailable features and a screen menu that is somewhat confusing. The manual is poorly organized and fairly limited, but once understood, screen adjusts easily.

Summary: 2005-11-24 02:20:13 When my 37" Syntax Olevia arrived, I found it extremely easy to unpack, position and set up. Although I would not recommend that you attempt to set up a set as large as this by yourself, I am 71 years old and I had little or no problem doing everything by myself. (The shipping weight is 92.6 pounds, but the set and its stand are only 75 pounds.)

Unfortunately, I spent a lot of money for very little return up to now. This is not the fault of the manufacturer. Assuming no problem, I purchased an HDTV-ready television set without calling my local cable company. It turns out that HDTV is not available in my area, so I cannot report on the set's value for this purpose. I also have not rented a digital video recorder from this cable company, because I feel that would be more throw-away money. The net result is that I am viewing digital television and not much else. I could get some local HDTV with an inside or outside antenna, but since I could not receive hardly any of the channels that currently broadcast programs in the HDTV format, I feel that would be an additional waste of time, effort and money. Hence, I will report on what I know and await the coming of cable HDTV to this semi-rural market. (Unless I grow too impatient and opt for dish television.) At some point, I will also buy a DVD player or player-recorder.

The Syntax Olevia is a nice looking piece of equipment, even when turned off. As television sets go, it is very attractive. The digital picture quality seems to be excellent. I am planning to fine tune the visual as soon as I have a chance to purchase Digital Video Essentials. I have learned that factory presets are basically geared toward store displays, rather than in home video broadcasts. On the other hand, I am especially delighted with the split screen feature. Being able to view and select from a dozen split screen channels is a bit overwhelming.

As others have commented on in almost every review, the remote control leaves a lot to be desired in terms of aesthetics, but I did not find it as much of a problem as I assumed it would be. I really think the inability to use some of the features included on the remote and mentioned in the manual is more important than the design of the remote. I would suggest to Syntax that any newly designed remote be made available to present owners at a reasonable cost. I would further suggest they make some of the presently unavailable features available to present owners, if this is at all possible. However, I would imagine newer sets may incorporate equipment that cannot be purchased separately or used with current models.

I spent a great deal of time searching the Internet for good deals among all the big name television manufacturers. After evaluating both the prices and the specifications in detail, I decided the public was paying for brand names and not necessarily for the best pictures or the best specs. After shopping dozens of sites and almost all the branded names in LCD television sets, I decided that many lesser-known brands had as good or better specifications than most of the top brands. Although Sony and Sharp seemed to be the top of the line HDTVs in picture quality, appearance and specifications at the time, their prices were unrealistic when their specifications were compared to the prices and specs of products such as the Syntax Olevia LCD TV. More importantly, when I searched for prices, I discovered that I not only could beat the price of all the big brand names, but that I could get what I think was a terrific price on the Syntax Olevia LT37HVS 37" LCD TV. Less than half the manufacturer's suggested list price plus very nominal shipping charges. Although Radio Shack, Target and Home Shopping Network all sell these sets, the name is not on the tip of everybody's tongue. I decided to gamble and the gamble paid off. In short, I am exceptionally pleased. Almost three months after my purchase, all sites are still selling this set for more than I paid for mine through PriceGrabber's StoreFront Merchant, onsaletix.

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Olevia Syntax LT37HVE LCD TV

Strengths: Excellent, crisp picture.Realistic, vivid colors.High quality sound.

Weaknesses: Remote: rather kind of slow responsive.

Summary: 2005-11-11 00:39:54 I bought Olevia LT37HVE after reading all available reviews. So far the product meets 100% my expectations.I use S-video and stereo audio connection and get remarkably high quality picture along with clear,great sound. The reception is outstanding thru whole spectrum of program supplied by Dishnetwork. My laptop VGA connection works very good too.I can only imagine what a reception will be with HDTV receiver via DVI connection ( already ordered ). My other LCD is 22" Panasonic and frankly is not better overall than Olevia but the price makes real difference.I have paid for Olevia around $ 1300. I higly recomend Olevia LT37HVE and would buy it again.

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Olevia LT37HV 37 inch LCD screen HD TV, manufactured by Syntax Corporation

Strengths: The picture is very good. It is excellent in HD channels.

Weaknesses: When changing channels with the sound on low, a static low noise is heard with every channel change.

Summary: 2005-08-17 09:45:17 I took a chance with this LCD TV considering that it was a no major name brand, however, for the price that is cost and the quality of the the picture I am very impressed so far. Compared to other brands of 37 inch LCD flat pannel monitors, it appears to be a no brainer at this point.

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I researched this TV pretty extensively, doing sid ...

Strengths: Very bright picture, attractive unit, easy to set up, well packaged for shipping

Weaknesses: Wimpy remote...

Summary: I researched this TV pretty extensively, doing side by side comparisons at local stores. It stacked up very well with units $1000 to $2000 more. I had it up and running in under 10 minutes. I needed to buy a new DVD player with a HDMI to use that feature, and WOW its great. My unit sits near a bright southwest facing window in San Diego, and the picture is bright and easy to read during the day.

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Great Buy

Strengths: Price and appearance!!!!

Weaknesses: Remote

Summary: The Olevia 37' has remarkable picture in HD and in regular broadcasts. I have been shopping LCD's for about 3 months and I found a Jewel. For $1600 buck you can't beat it! The overall appearance is wonderful and the word "olevia" lights up in blue when the TV is powered off -- a cool feature-- the speakers have great sound and clarity too! It is very east to use and the VGA connection is great! It comes with all the cords you need to use all the different options. The remote is cheap and clunky and won't program with my cable remote, but you only need the remote for "power" button. I think so much of this TV I am going to purchase the 32' as well!

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good price with surprice

Strengths: good price

Weaknesses: prublem with dvi input

Summary: 2005-07-12 04:19:26 4:3 DVDs and 4:3 broadcasts are not showing correctly on dvi input. image is ether stretched horizontally or too much compressed horizontally. there is no way to get normal horizontal to vertical proportion. i have tried using 3 different players and 1 receiver. Sony, lg, and Toshiba. all possible picture mods. nothing works. there is no problem with 4:3 DVDs on component input. tech support is not helpful. it is really good TV if not to wach 4:3 on dvi. 16:9 looks good on dvi>

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hope you like black bars on your fav movies!

Strengths: price

Weaknesses: Zoom Icon stays on screen when you try to zoom up pic size,among other problems

Summary: As another reviewer stated, you can't use the zoom feature to fill up the 16:9 screen on movies that were made for that presentation. The word "zoom x2" or x4, x8,etc stays on the screen. Never disappears. Tech support knows about it but dosen't consider it to be a "problem". Also, a weird black ghost image appears in the lower quadrant of the screen intermittently, and stays there for awhile. Tech support never heard of that. A friend told me that cheap wiring practices could cause this.

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MAJOR FLAW - Do Not Buy this unit

Strengths: not expensive

Weaknesses: major functional design flaws

Summary: This LCD TV (LT37HVS 37" ) has a MAJOR FLAW!. I am surprised it has not be made more public. This TV is virtually useless for viewing letter boxed material or programming. This is a big problem because you will not be able to view any letter-box DVDs or letter-box TV movies / series (ie sopranos). I guess I should say you cannot view them in a way that is not extremely irritating. By default the image will appear as a small box with large black bars on BOTH tops and sides! Now, remarkably the zoom feature which could be used to over come this problem does not work! I guess I should say it works but so poorly that it would have been better to completely disable this function. The pathetic, crippled zoom function works in such a way that there is CONSTANTLY an large onscreen menu that appears near the middle of the screen and says: x2 and has a picture of a box. If that was not bizarre enough, to make matters worse the zoom creates significant horizontal distortion, further guaranteeing that you cannot use this feature. Believe me it is useless. Initially, I thought for certain, I just was not pushing the correct button somewhere, but a phone call to SYNTAX OLEVIA verified that this is a known “engineering glitch.”

I feel burned and stuck with a defective product. It took me a while to sort all of this out and have had the product more than 30 days now, so I am pretty sure I am stuck with it.

Buyer beware.

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• Purchased same unit, great, this problem posted is due to user no...