AOC's new Envision Series of HD LCDs for small spaces

Are you a tech-savvy urban dweller? AOC would like to have a word. The budget TV builder has a trio of new HD "Envision" LCDs in miniscule sizes ranging from 19-inches to 32-inches. The L19W861 starts 'em out at $299 and is designed to double as a computer monitor with its 1440 x 900 resolution. The 26-inch L26W861 and 32-inch L32W861 both sport a less exciting 1366 x 768 resolution, but equally compelling price points at $499 and $599, respectively. All three displays offer HDMI, PC input with audio and ATSC / Clear QAM tuners.

[snoopy @ Aug 14th 2008 2:15PM]

Are these things any good...cause I would be in (and by good I mean decent, I am not expecting perfection)...

[VampireHunter Z @ Aug 14th 2008 3:19PM]

My very first HDTV was an AOC. I got it back in 2005. The 27" was around $700 at the time. It's still in my bedroom now and still produce some great pictures. Of course back then a budget HDTV didn't have HDMI and the refresh rate was like 12ms. I'm sure these new ones are a whole lot better.

[BobfromVegas @ Aug 14th 2008 3:48PM]

Wow you were FIRST!

[dapj @ Aug 15th 2008 12:34AM]

High Resolution is nice, the Product photo is splendid. It needs to be more affordable and last long, at least 3-5 years.

[yuriythebest @ Aug 14th 2008 2:22PM]

so what- it's not even stereo3d. not impressed.

[helloUser @ Aug 14th 2008 2:24PM]

Looks like those samsung LCDs.....

[RC @ Aug 14th 2008 2:26PM]

That image is really pretty. What's it of?

[Boynamedsue @ Aug 14th 2008 2:41PM]

disneyland

[jd @ Aug 14th 2008 2:48PM]

i am pretty sure it is the Basilique Notre-Dame De Montreal
http://www.basiliquenddm.org/

[TG @ Aug 14th 2008 2:52PM]

I believe that is the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_Basilica

[Boynamedsue @ Aug 14th 2008 2:55PM]

you'd think that, until some hussy in a tinkerbell outfit ziplines across the nave.

[darkstar @ Aug 14th 2008 3:24PM]

i agree its a pretty nice bg!
anyone know where can i get hd bg? my desktop res is 1920x1080.

[Sojourn @ Aug 14th 2008 4:50PM]

The Wikipedia article has an image that will be more than hi-res enough (you may want to crop it for your desktop, so that it's widescreen). Here's the direct link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Notre-Dame_de_Montr%C3%A9al_Basilica_Rectilinear_Jan_2006.jpg

I saw it when I visited Montreal a few years ago; it's just as (if not more) beautiful in person.

[Angel Rodriguez @ Aug 14th 2008 2:39PM]

its a church in Montreal Canada I've been there once i think its called the basilica

[ShadowKain @ Aug 14th 2008 2:53PM]

I hope thats not bleedthrough from the lighting tube on that pic. Maybe just a bad screenie.

[Ryan @ Aug 14th 2008 2:55PM]

There's one component input, too (as well as composite & s-vid). At least for the 19"er. that is; I didn't check the specs on the larger ones.

http://208.109.228.157/arquivos/produto/especificacoes/L19W861_spec.pdf

[sam.walker @ Aug 14th 2008 3:02PM]

Anyone shed any insight on the quality of this product, please?

[suntiger @ Aug 14th 2008 3:21PM]

These have been out at Radioshack for months, or at least very similar models at the same price points.

The major disadvantage is that they only have one component in. I mean, WTF?

[jorvay @ Aug 14th 2008 3:34PM]

It's funny to see a 32" tv labeled as small. It was only a few years ago that they were considered to be huge. Now I find myself in the market for a new TV to replace my 27" CRT and I'm going from what was considered a good-sized tv at the time, to a small tv in a 32" LCD even though I'm actually going bigger.
I'm not complaining, just find it funny how fast our perspective has changed.

[Pdexter @ Aug 14th 2008 3:42PM]

Had to check the logo couple of times to finally understand that it wasen't JVC.

[L_A_Art @ Aug 14th 2008 4:21PM]

The 42" 1080P AOC Envision is down to $800 at costco through August 31st. The reviews that I've read aren't positive, and the 8ms refresh is not the greatest in this day. Also, $499 for a 26"? I bought a Sharp 26" (non-aquos) for $399 a year ago ($100 rebate at Staples), so these prices aren't so hot.

[crispy @ Aug 14th 2008 6:23PM]

Well since it was a week ago I'm sure its even cheaper, so show us a link were you can get a sharp for that cheap.

[Kaveman @ Aug 14th 2008 5:42PM]

HD? Really? I thought the spec was 1920x1080 - a few pixels short, methinks. Also the "lovely image" you're all enjoing is almost certainly PhotoShopped over a blank screen :)

[Jeff @ Aug 15th 2008 2:37AM]

The minimum ATSC standard HD resolution is 720p. 720p is 1280x720. 1440x900 > 1280x720. Ergo, 1440x900 is HD.

[sonyfan13 @ Aug 14th 2008 6:21PM]

To those who don't know, AOC is a subsidiary of Top Victory Electronics, based in Taiwan.

They also market products under the Envision brand.

And, I wouldn't really want to get one myself.

Service and support for these things can be difficult as proprietary parts, service data, and authorized service agents are rarely, if ever, available for these things. If I got an AOC and if it breaks beyond my ability to exchange it at the store but still within the warranty period, getting it fixed can be a royal pain as you may have to ship the set back to the company. Depending on the warranty terms, YOU may be responsible for the shipping costs!

If this AOC set fails outside the warranty, you're screwed; the only option is to dump the broken set, thereby contributing to the e-waste problem and spend another huge chunk of change on a new one.

I'll stick with the better-known brands. Specifically Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Mitsubishi, Sharp, and Samsung. Pretty much forget about everyone else. You will pay more, but there is a better support infrastructure for these companies.

[HyperHacker @ Aug 14th 2008 9:04PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony
Just sayin'. Although looking at your nick, I guess I'm wasting my time. :-/

[HyperHacker @ Aug 14th 2008 8:53PM]

This is news? I've had a 19" HDTV/monitor for a year now. Let's see an affordable HD projector plz.

[Ashram @ Oct 23rd 2008 10:55PM]

This is in regards to your comment on my post.

Your reply: You put a Wikipedia link for Sony and then said "Just sayin'. Although looking at your nick, I guess I'm wasting my time."

So, in other words HyperHacker, you're attacking ME like the troll you are instead of countering my opinion like the intelligent human being you are not.

You WERE wasting your time because you weren't contributing anything to the debate. You just took my screen name and tried to use it against me to discredit my opinion.

I could've easily acted like a fan boy and just talked smack and said "Sony rulez." But, instead, I tried to talk sense and logic on the issue, bringing up points about what to expect if your purchase of a cheap no-name branded product doesn't work out too well and concluded that you may be better off just getting a set from an established name brand, and not only Sony.

It makes me wonder if you even read my opinion before replying with such a ridiculous response.