Syntax-Brillian intros new 1080p Olevia LCD HDTVs

Just before folks really get their minds set on waiting for Black Friday, Syntax-Brillian is unveiling a trio of new 1080p Olevia LCDs. Up first is the 65-inch 265TFHD, which features the Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processor, a black aluminum bezel, built-in ATSC / NTSC tuner with Clear QAM support, USB port for firmware upgrades and a decent assortment of ports including two HDMI / component / S-Video / composite jacks and a single VGA input. We're left to assume the 52-inch 252TFHD sports a similar set of amenities, while we're told the 47-inch 247TFHD touts an MTK MDDI video processor but otherwise remains identical to its 65-inch sibling. Price wise, the 265TFHD is set to run you a stiff $6,999, while the 252TFHD and 247TFHD will ring up at $2,499 and $1,999, respectively.

[Thanks, Dave]

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 15th 2007 11:14AM]

Ah, that well-known Syntax-Brillian brand...

[Ken @ Oct 15th 2007 11:29AM]

You're kidding right? The Ölevia brand has been getting great reviews as is Sceptre and Westinghouse. So what if its not a Sonineerosonic? At least Ölevia and the like are priced without insult to the consumer's intelligence.

[HineyWipe @ Oct 15th 2007 11:54AM]

@ Ken: Olevia is an OK brand. But don't even think of comparison to Sony Bravia, Pioneer Elite Plasma, Panasonic or even Sharp and Samsung. (Pioneer does not make LCD HDTVs).

Oh, and I doubt you will find Syntax-Brillian anywhere but through "an authorized" dealer. Olevia, Sceptre and Westinghouse are all discounted through most online sellers.

I own an Olivia, and it had to have its MB replaced (bad audio) and after 6 months, was replaced by a model half it's price. Nice.

Amazing! The first plug for an LCD HDTV that doesn't mention Contrast Ratio, refresh rate or improved black levels!

[Eric @ Oct 15th 2007 1:08PM]

Yep, play the Olevia lottery to see if the expensive TV you buy is POS. Don't even get me started on technical "support".

No thanks!

[o29 @ Oct 15th 2007 1:13PM]

I bought an Olevia LCD at Circuit City.

And Westinghouse is carried by BestBuy.

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 16th 2007 7:40AM]

My original comment was simply about brand awareness: the Syntax-Brillian brand is so low profile that it could limbo dance under a Lotus Elise. I have no opinion on the quality of their products or the Olevia brand...

[Howard @ Oct 15th 2007 11:15AM]

Syntax is moving up the place now. The price needs to come down a little. Maybe around $1400 for 47" 1080p?

[Tyler Strembitsky @ Oct 15th 2007 11:31AM]

Yeah, that's a pretty high price point. I'm looking at a 32" Sharp Aquos I found for about $1000US, but for Canadians they'll probably jack it up to $1250.
Grrrr.

[Graham @ Oct 15th 2007 1:01PM]

Yeah. I bought an Olevia this summer--a 37" 720p/1080i (because you don't need 1080p at under 40"), and it has been fantastic! Plus, I got it for $750, which is a far cry from what the traditional electronic giants have been selling theirs for. It's a little disappointing, though, to see that they are jacking the prices up now.

[Graham Martin @ Oct 15th 2007 1:01PM]

Yeah. I bought an Olevia this summer--a 37" 720p/1080i (because you don't need 1080p at under 40"), and it has been fantastic! Plus, I got it for $750, which is a far cry from what the traditional electronic giants have been selling theirs for. It's a little disappointing, though, to see that they are jacking the prices up now.

[Jared @ Oct 15th 2007 11:43AM]

I hope those are MSRP and not street prices. For bout the same price you can pick up a 61 or 65 series Samsung LCD. Unless Olevia has gotten really good in the past 2-3 years, sounds like they might be pricing them selves out of the market.

[Erwos @ Oct 15th 2007 12:02PM]

Not bad, when you consider that the MSRP can be $300-$500 more than street price.

[Erwos @ Oct 15th 2007 12:03PM]

Of course, I'd also like to see the panel specs.

[Macinjosh @ Oct 15th 2007 12:17PM]

For those who dont know, Syntax makes awesome stuff & is able to keep the price low. My very first LCD HDTV was a 27" Syntax Olevia that I bought 4 years ago. And guess what? Its still in my living room to this very day working as good as new.

[LJKelley @ Oct 15th 2007 12:57PM]

Lets make that "as bad as new"

I know I won't gamble on discount brands, but its not only about the price but also the picture quality and processing which tend to be better even in Samsung vs Olivia comparison.

[Wwhat @ Oct 15th 2007 1:33PM]

Pretty awful/annoying name though, syntax-brillian, where's the t, but I guess with a T it would sound more like a book publisher or something
Oh well, if it's a good product who cares.
And I sort of like the understated design.

[Steve Jobs @ Oct 15th 2007 2:06PM]

I have a 32in and the picture quality looks as good to me as the samsungs or sharps of comparable size. In fact to me it actually looked like there was more motion blur on the samsung it was sitting next to in the store. They make pretty good tvs, maybe not the best, and maybe not good enough for the "gotta have the best" fetishists out there, but for someone who thinks its silly to blow over a grand on a tv they're great.

[AT&T Happy @ Oct 15th 2007 5:26PM]

No contrast ratio
No refresh rate
No mention of CCFL
No color bit depth 10 bit ?12?

= irrelevant post I thought Engadget was above this now I'm boycotting the Reader Meetup

color me disappointed.

[rantanamo @ Oct 15th 2007 11:47PM]

Typical, brand x is better than Olevia. Its still not been proven. Have you ever looked at reviews of their sets, especially their high end 7-series. Excellent hardware, good panels, etc. Its not a lottery at all. I test consumer electronics, and we see a lot more problems with Pannys, Sharp and Samsung. But people still buy them, though we only rate them decently for quality. There's nothing wrong with an Olevia, and you'll find their scaling chips actually kick ash on SDTV.

[Indy @ Oct 16th 2007 7:59PM]

Newbie here, but who are "we"?

Quote: "rantanamo @ Oct 15th 2007 11:47PM
Typical, brand x is better than Olevia. Its still not been proven. Have you ever looked at reviews of their sets, especially their high end 7-series. Excellent hardware, good panels, etc. Its not a lottery at all. I test consumer electronics, and we see a lot more problems with Pannys, Sharp and Samsung. But people still buy them, though we only rate them decently for quality. There's nothing wrong with an Olevia, and you'll find their scaling chips actually kick ash on SDTV

Just a curious consumer...

[rantanamo @ Oct 16th 2007 8:54PM]

"we" = Major online retailer that includes reviews and thorough testing. If you really want to know, feel free to email or PM me.

[Brian @ Oct 16th 2007 3:59PM]

I'm surprised one of their 2-series is going for 7000... that's crazy.

Olevia has a 2, 3, 5, and 7 series on-sale in the US.

I have a 532h (read: 5-series, 32 inch, horizontal speakers) and I couldn't be happier with it.

32", 720p, looks so good I threw out my monitor and use my hdtv for my xbox 360, pc, and tv.

$500 SHIPPED, through New Egg.

Olevia's picture isn't as good as Sony's SXRD, but that isn't really a fair comparison. Those are very different markets, and for a "poor college student" Olevia ranks above all others.

[james rose @ Nov 7th 2007 2:11PM]

two olevias in my house for several years now (27 in as my comp. monitor and 532i in the living room

the prices quoted are probably the msrps not what they are going to go for on the street

never had any need for repairs or customer service though i've def heard of hit or miss when it comes to that

i really have no need to overspend for a "brand" name that is prices so much more higher for minimally better performance. not to mention olevias generally have a better sdtv viewing experience for those times when you aren't watching an hdtv channel. it can get ugly on other hdtvs when watching sd.

[NeoGadget @ Nov 26th 2007 1:04AM]

I was about to buy the new 47" 247TFHD as it was on sale for $999 at BJs on Black Friday. But after seeing it in the store, I couldn't -- contrast was poor on both the bright and dark sides, and the motion processing was bad -- far worse than the vizio and samsung TVs next to it in the store, all showing the same (Sony demo) video from an HD component source. I read that the 747i has very good contrast and video processing, but apparently that didn't carry into this model. Oh well...

[hjason @ Jan 27th 2008 4:49AM]

come on peeps olevia is a well know and respected company.
they have been catering to the elite of the la and to the richest athletes.
i bought this 47 inch lcd the day after black friday and i paid 1099 for it.
now it is up to 1599. it is a great tv but their support just plain out sucks.
i wrote them 4 emails with no reply.
the reason is because i cannot register my tv on their site because it is so new it is not on their site for the registration as of yet.

[mik22 @ Dec 19th 2007 7:29PM]

Did you try registering again? I registered my two 247TFHD TVs with no problem. These 47" TVs are great....great picture, motion, etc..... I don't trust the comparisons in the store.....you never know who has been messing with the color, contrast, color, etc.... I have been extremely impressed with the color and picture, both in HD and SD. For the price (I got it for $1099), you absolutely cannot beat it.

[hjason @ Dec 25th 2007 8:09PM]

yes it took like 10 tries to finally get it registered.
and yes these tv's are great i just got hd hooked up today and man you see thing's in shows and movies you never seen before.
i also got it for 1099, at circuit city where you got yours right?
a day after black friday i bought mine.
and the next day it went up in price.
the only thing i don't like about this company they take forever to get back to you.
when you open a support ticket.
and they said they will never put out a firmware update they are just putting out new tv's everytime they develope new technology.
which is wrong because they are supposed to put a firmware update out when they make new technology.
and when they want or need to update the picture quality.