Syntax-Brillian announces three new series of Olevia LCD TVs

Prepare yourselves for a slew of new LCD sets from Syntax-Brillian that will be released in the coming months, as the newly-merged company has announced three new series of TVs under the Olevia brand that each consist of numerous different models. Out of the 3-series, 5-series, and 7-series lineups, the most is known about the fives, as these four units -- the 27-inch 527V, 32-inch 532H, 37-inch 537H, and 42-inch 542i -- are shipping immediately. Like the as-yet-unannounced members of the 3-series, these models all sport a 1,366 x 768 resolution, and also feature 8-millisecond response times, 1600:1 contrast ratios, built-in digital ATSC tuners, and HDMI, VGA, and HD component inputs. All that's known about the 7-series, on the other hand, is the fact that its constituent models will all offer full 1,080p resolution and RS232C control capability, along with what's being touted as "Hollywood Quality Video," which either means that picture quality is very good or stifled by DRM restrictions. No pricing or release details are available for any of the 3- or 7-series models -- they're scheduled "to be introduced to the market incrementally through September" is all we can say for sure -- and out of all the 5-series models that are supposedly shipping right now, we could only find a price for the 527V, which you can pick up for $800 or less.

Update: It would appear Hollywood Quality Video refers to Silicon Optix's Reon-VX chip, a "Hollywood Quality Processing" video system with a bunch of things HD nuts are sure to love (or love to laugh at), like four-field per-pixel SD/HD deinterlacing, film cadence processing, multi-direction diagonal filter, random noise reduction, and so on. Thanks, Jason.

[Greg @ Jul 19th 2006 8:07PM]

I work for a regional appliance/electronics store, and we've had the 527 in stock for about a few weeks now, although we haven't put them on the shelves yet, as we're waiting to sell out of the 26" Olevias that we have. Although i haven't seen the new models, the previous Olevia models are the cheapest we carry, and for good reason. You put one of these next to a hitachi or mits, and it will be blown away. But, for entry-level LCDs, they're not bad.

[ding @ Jul 19th 2006 9:24PM]

Sweet BMW naming scheme.

[vena @ Jul 19th 2006 9:46PM]

i own an olevia LT-42HVI and it's pretty amazing for the price they charge. the best part is that they use real glass over the panel, which although it makes the set very heavy, it adds quite a bit of aesthetic.

[sushi @ Jul 19th 2006 10:58PM]

YES, FINALLY AFFORDABLE HDTVS for the MASses!!!

[miron @ Jul 20th 2006 12:14AM]

what, no dvi?

[Tom @ Jul 20th 2006 12:47AM]

Syntax service is the worst service I have ever dealt with outside of a plain scam. If I told you how bad it was, you'd think I was making it all up. The TVs are great (I'm on my second one), but if you have a problem (like when my 2nd one died 5 weeks after purchase), good luck getting anyone to listen or respond. Oh, and I'm still waiting for my $300 rebate that was DUE over 3 months ago.

[Barry @ Aug 22nd 2007 3:03PM]

Tom:

I couldn't agree more. My 1st 537H was delivered DOA. It's been 3 months now and still no replacement. Customer Service does not return phone calls or voice mails.

Did you ever track down contact information for someone high up enough in the organization to do anything about your issues?

Best regards,

Barry

[John @ Jul 20th 2006 9:32AM]

These specs don't sound any different from previous models - I doubt much has changed.

However, the sets are very nice for what you pay - My LT26HVX was 500 shipped from Amazon (without any rebates, mind you) and it falls just short of sets costing twice as much. It has an LG display panel and performs pretty well.

But yeah, I've read both good and bad things about customer service - depends on your luck. That's the risk you take when you pay half price, I guess.

They might not jump out of you while browsing the TV section at Best Buy, but Syntax holds more of the US HDTV market than you think.

[Perrey Z. @ Jul 20th 2006 3:32PM]

What not photos? well what good would they do to me., these things are so ugly no wonder they are so cheap. I wonder why they are not yet available at Wal-Mart if they are so cheap???

[FunkMidget @ Jul 28th 2006 11:02AM]

What is up with you retards that say 'No DVI?' ...there is this new thing, it is called HDMI, it is better than DVI and it is 100% compatible with it as well...

[olevia427 @ Jan 14th 2007 7:33PM]

GOOD TV AT A GREAT PRICE BUT BE READY TO USE MANY REMOTES.There are NO REMOTE CODES FOR UNIVERSAL REMOTES!!!! In my case I have an Olevia 427-S12 LCD HDTV with a Time Warner Cable Explorer 3250HD box and an Atlas dvr universal remote. If you do a blink back you will come up with 0047 (an RCA code) but it will not work. I emailed Olevia about the issue and have not heard back from them yet. The support information on Olevia's website says For the 3- 5- 7- series4 series is included in this group as well)
"This line of product is new to the market; STB manufactures have not included our brand in their code list yet. We recommend using a learning remote control for both the OLEVIA TV and your set top box."

[danny @ Mar 29th 2008 11:42PM]

my olevia 5 series just died on me...ive owned it for about a year...anyone have had this problem before? the light is still on, but i just won turn on anymore. any advice?

Thanks, Danny