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Syntax-Brillian goes big with 65-inch 1080p Olevia 665i LCD
Syntax-Brillian is showing off its first HDTV above 50-inches in the U.S. at Infocomm this week, the 65-inch, 1080p Olevia 665i. This LCD is aimed at the pro AV and high end home theater market, and is the first "large area display" to include the Silicon Optix Realta HQV scaler. That, along with Olevia's Big Picture technology to reduce overscan should ensure you get every pixel expected from HD and non-HD sources. Also included for the $9,999 MSRP are two sets each of HDMI and component inputs, RS232 control, removable speakers, and optional wall mount. No word on what, if any, tuners are a part of the package, but we're sure the FCC will be taking a look before this HDTV goes on sale in October.
Maxent and Olevia fined for trafficking analog TVs
Every HD fan knows that you can't sell analog TVs anymore, but evidently some manufactures just don't get it. The FCC has notified Regent U.S.A. and Syntax-Brillian that there is an "apparent liability for forfeiture" (read fine) for $63K and $2.9M, respectively, for "willful and repeated violations." Sure, budget TVs are great and all, but not if that means we have to explain to our parents why their brand new flat panel TV doesn't work with bunny ears after the analog shutoff.
NHK's 15k RPM optical disc recording system utilizes Blu-ray technology
Pulling out the 15k RPM card this late in the game would usually be frowned upon, but in the case of NHK, its latest development to spin at 15,000 revolutions per minute has nothing to do with a hard disk drive. Researchers at Nippon Hoso Kyokai are working with engineers at the Science and Technical Research Laboratories (STRL) to create an "optical disc recording system based on consumer Blu-ray disc technology that can spin as fast as 15,000 RPM" without worry of a disc experiencing a complete meltdown and shattering within the drive. The first iteration was reportedly demonstrated just last week, and could purportedly be used to record 250Mbps HDTV streams; furthermore, researchers have seemingly dodged the disintegration issue by "making a flexible disc that is just 0.1-millimeters thick." The disc was co-developed with Ricoh and is "essentially the recording layer from a Blu-ray Disc without the 1.1-millimeter plastic substrate that is used to give the disc rigidity," thus, a "thick stabilizing plate has been added into the drive" to keep volatility at a minimum. NHK reportedly claimed that this newfangled approach was similar to that seen in the Stacked Volumetric Optical Disc, but unfortunately, it wasn't able to hand out any hard numbers as to when we'd see this stuff in action.[Image courtesy of DigitalArts]
Syntax-Brillian raises $15.5 million to boost Olevia awareness
Apparently, Syntax-Brillian is planning on making absolutely sure that you (and everyone you know) is entirely familiar with the Olevia brand of LCD and LCoS TVs, as it has just announced a $15.5 million uptick in funds to "increase awareness" of the brand. The strategic partnership involves TCV, who provides the plastic injection molded parts, and WesTech Electronics Limited, who supplies the internal components on Olevia-branded sets, and the company hopes that the deal will elevate the brand by "expanding its manufacturing base" and boosting the marketing efforts as well. Of course, this isn't the first (or second) time that we've seen Syntax-Brillian jump on the expansion bandwagon, but we're not about to complain about a bit more competition in the already saturated marketplace, now are we?
Engadget HD Review: Olevia 542i 42-inch LCD
Olevia recently sent us one of their new 42-inch LCD sets to review. The 542i is a very capable set for viewing content from various sources, both high-definition and standard. While there are a few features we wish were included, or quirks we would change, for its mid-range price, it's going to be very hard to turn this display down.Read on for the full review
Syntax-Brillian opens Chinese LCD plant
Syntax-Brillian opened a new 30,000-square foot LCD plant in Nanjing, China on Friday, which is expected to produce 300,000 units anually. The displays will be sold in the Chinese market at five major consumer electronics resellers on the Chinese coast, with additional capacity for the US and Canadian markets. Olevia-branded LCDs from Syntax-Brillian have entered the market fairly well, growing from a relatively unknown brand to the top three in the 25- to 29-inch category, and in the top ten for 35- to 39-inch displays.
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.
Syntax-Brillian looks to LG.Philips LCD for help expanding
To compete in todays flat panel television market, you gotta have size, and Syntax-Brillian has found a way around that. Today they announced they will be buying their LCD screens from LG.Philips in sizes from 20" to 47". This means S-B will be able to ensure they can get their Olevia branded televisions on store shelves, and LG Philips LCD knows there will always be someone to buy them, especially with the constant reminders that overcapacity is imminent.This is one of many such partnerships, you'll need a scorecard (if you already don't) to keep track of who actually made the TV sitting in your living room.
CES debut of new Syntax-Brillian LCDs
You'd think that electronics manufacturers would wait for CES to announce new products, but there's a growing pre-announcement trend. This approach sort of reduces the impact of the actual announcement, but who are we to nit-pick?Syntax-Brillian is the latest to jump on the proactive bandwagon with news on their new 20- to 47-inch LCDs. No less than nine new models are due out and you might recognize the Olevia brand in this mix. The new Olevia Signature models are in the larger sizes and sport 1080p resolution, dual ATSC and NTSC tuners, two HDMI inputs and mountable speakers. So what's left to announce?
