Syntax-Brillian's Olevia line: Now with 120Hz and more 1080p

Newly LCD-focused HDTV maker Syntax-Brillian has teased a few details about its plans for CES, bringing a high-end feature from CES 2007, 120Hz, to its mainstream Olevia brand. No word on specific models or prices, but 1080p and 120Hz motion processing are the highlights of the 42-, 47-, 52-, 55- and 65-inch LCDs. Rounding out the CES 2008 plans are a JPEG/MP3 support, USB firmware upgrades, a new universal learning remote, and a whole slew of Olevia-branded accessories including HDMI cables, wall mounts and a wireless/waterproof LCD. Expect more details in a few days, and look for these HDTVs to hit shelves in the second quarter.

[bob sakamano @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:31AM]

there are too many companies making these things!!!!!

I'd like to see some electronic manufacturer consolidation to ease our decision making process

what do you all think about: sonsung, mitsubanyo, pananeer, and sharp-syntax-brillian???!

[Speddy @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:36AM]

You would rather see three companies in a price-fixing schema?
Please, let there be 2 dozen players. Look at how the prices have dropped, resolutions upped, features improved and quality! Syntax was making crap and now has some decent LCDs with Brillian. Sharp, Panny and Samsung have kept Sony on it's toes.

[Hooterman @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:38AM]

I love it when shitty companies like Olevia, Westinghouse and Visio start throwing in features like 1080p and 120hz, it starts forcing the prices down on the actual good TV's with these features.

(Yes I know the Westy and Visio fans are very sensitive, and I'm prepared to be rated down for talking bad about their products)

[kev @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:56AM]

Hooterman: I have both a Vizio and an Olevia and they are both shitty, but I can't really complain at the prices I got them. Go shit brands!

[Blake @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:57AM]

I have 2 Olevias. Their picture is better than my other name-brand Philips LCD. Consumer reports gives Olevia TVs pretty high scores as well. Good pictures, lots of options, solid feeling products.

[Hooterman @ Jan 3rd 2008 5:56PM]

Well, I personally wouldn't put Philips on the high end of the TV market so I don't have a reply to that part.

And anybody that uses Consumer Reports to buy TV's deserves to have a house full of Olevia's

[johnnychipface @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:37AM]

120hz? 1080p? Jpeg/mp3 support? No; women want more than that, women want me!

[Matthew @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:43AM]

Why do companies keep adding the 120Hz. I had a Samsung LCD with 120Hz and I couldn't stand it. Had to return the TV. Its very unnatural. And the main thing they advertise it for (football) shows no difference.

[Jeff @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:02AM]

I agree, it's marketing. They're interpolating frames; it's picture data that is not there. It's no different than those old digital cameras they used to advertise as having "1 megapixel interpolated" resolution, which really meant 640x480 and then a whole lot of garbage data to make the picture physically bigger. They're just adding additional frames in these 120hz sets interpolated from the frame before and after. It's junk data.

[Heath Stahl @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:20AM]

The more important aspect of the 120Hz sets on the better TV's is that 120 is evenly divisible by 24. So high end sets can offer 24p display and avoid doing 3:2 pulldown for movies. That makes movies look a lot more natural. I'm guessing these bargain TV's don't have 24p support yet.

[bcollinstex @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:51AM]

A friend bought one of those expensive Samsungs. I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed.

[Matthew @ Jan 4th 2008 3:18PM]

Much happier with my Pioneer than the Samsung. I don't think Samsungs are bad at all, just not worth paying so much for their top-o-the-line.

[Saffy @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:13AM]

The real question is, are the remotes going to randomly stop functioning in six months, like in most of the older Olevia models? I love the Logitech remote I bought to replace it, but it essentially added $100 to the price of what was otherwise a good-looking, cheap LCD screen.

[silicon @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:45PM]

there's many brands of TVs but fewer companies that actually make the LCD/plasma panels and included electronics.

[Brian @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:04PM]

This is probably for their 7 series line... which is expensive enough to consider just going with Samsung.

Olevia makes a 2, 3, 4 (rare), 5, and 7 series. Their 532h, recertified, is easily the best price to performance you can get. (With the exception of the 37" 720p Viewsonic that can be found for $500)

Olevia is my favorite LCD brand simply because their price point caters to "poh" college students, like myself, while not sinking to the awful quality of cheap lcd's at Walmart.

Anyhow, these television hardly matter to me. I want a 120hz 1680x1050 lcd montior! Why is that so hard? 60hz is crap! What's the point of having a computer that runs CS:S well over one hundred frames per second, consistantly, when you're only getting a fresh screen sixty times per second?

[Perrey Z. @ Jan 7th 2008 10:47AM]

Oh my! are these things coming back in '08 too? like Soya Sauce (Soyo) and Nonecent (Norcent)?

My question is; are they still making them in that depressing Matte Black/Grayish cabinet finish with that awful overall bezel and stand design full of defects and not real competetive features?

What wrong with CES 2008? is full of ugly HDTVs (Panasonic, JVC, Sony, Samsung) and resurrected garbage.

[parziale @ Jan 17th 2008 11:43AM]

Can someone tell me if the flourescent backlighting in the screens is now at 120Hz. I had some serious eye strain and possibly permanent damage from an old cheap laptop screen. I seem to like the new Apple LED screens (Now in the 15" models so far). And I see a huge difference in 120Hz flourescent lighting. But my lady who grew in Japan had no problem with flourescent lights. But started to see a black dot after a few years of similar use. Also, please list the best 37" screens you have seen of any brand. Thanks.