Strengths:picture quality, set up right out the box, PRICE, feature set, feature/future upgradable, size, pleanty of source inputs, good speaker sound, good blacks and good whites for an LCD, HDMI
Weaknesses:Cheap buttons and paint job, o.k. flesh tones, side distortion on panoramic view, tech support
Posted Jan 31, 2007 - I just purchased this television. This is my 1st LCD above 20". I had looked at several other LCDs and actually ordered a Samsung but ended up cancelling the order because of the merchant not the brand. I was flipping thru channles 1 nite when I came across shopnbc and Syntax was giving a demonstration for the Olevia 437V. Mostly no big box stores carry Olevia and I knew that it had to be a good brand if ESPN were using them and had a deal with them. I had originally looked at Syntax but was a little sceptical. The Syntax demo really impressed me so I ordered the TV from ShopNBC and cancelled the order for the Samsung with the merchant from HECK!
I am glad I made that choice because this TV is GREAT. It was easy to hook up right out the box. The onscreen menus are intuitive I haven't even cracked open the user's manual yet. The picture is beautiful for DVDs. I am upgrading my cable box to take full advantage of the 720p resolution. The price was great ($900 with $100 rebate). My MAC is hooked up to it also and it looks great even though it's a Mac Mini. Video games look great. I was fairly supprised that the blacks were good as well as the white balances. I love that I can upgrade it myself as far as firmware is concerned. I was also surpised that the speakers were pretty good. Had heard horror stories about sound quality on LCDs. A little disappointed about the buttons though. They are obviously cheap (2 were mashed in when we got it out the box)and flimsy. Also the paint on the lower half was scratched. Called customer service about this and they just kept ringing. But someone picked up for the extended service warranty department.
Overall I am glad that this is my 1st LCD. I stayed up all night just trying out different types of movies to test this set - Matrix, FF7: Advent Children, Carnivale, Superman Returns, Indiana Jones, Lady in the Water, Samurai 7: The Anime Series. They all looked great and helped me to adjust the set to handle any type of dvd picture and thereby helped with the adjustments to regular tv picture as well. Can't wait to pick up my new cable box tonight to get an even better picture. I'm hosting the family Super Bowl Party this year and they will be WOWED!!
By the way I'm a woman and it is heartening to find electronics I can say I love. I'm buying another Olevia next month for my bedroom.
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Rated 
Great TV! Great Price!
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Dead on Arrival - purchased from Buy.com
