Olevia 542i LCD Television Review

by Tom Andry — last modified December 07, 2007

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Summary

  • Product Name: 542i LCD Television
  • Manufacturer: Syntax Olevia
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Value Rating: StarStarStarStarhalf-star
  • Review Date: October 20, 2006 20:00
  • MSRP: $ 1999
Specifications

Panels
Active Screen Size: 42"
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Dynamic Contrast: 1600:1
HDTV Built In/HDTV Ready: HDTV Built-In
Native Resolution: 1366 x 768
Response Time: 8ms
Tuner Type: ATSC/NTSC Combo Tuner
Video Processor: MTK MDDI Technology
Viewing Angle: 178/178

Video
1080p: No
2:2/3:2 Pull Down: Yes
Color Temperature Adjust: Yes
Digital 3D Comb Filter: Yes
Progressive Scan: Yes
Supported Resolution: NTSC & ATSC with High Definition (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i)

Audio
Audio Output: 1 R/L RCA Audio
Earphone Output: 1 Stereo Mini Jack
Speaker: 2 x 20W

I/O Port
Component Input: 3 Component + 3 R/L RCA Audio (VGA connector accepts as 3rd Component source)
Composite Video Input: 2 composite + 2 R/L RCA Audio
Digital Input: 1 HDMI w/HDCP, PC + Video, Plug & Play, CEA EDID Extensions

Firmware Upgrade by USB: Yes
Optical Audio Output: Yes
Service Port: RS-232
TV System Support: up to 1080i
TV Tuner Input: ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM
VGA Input: RGB 15 Pin D-sub with Analog EDID, PC + Video, Plug & Play, Third Component Input + R/L RCA Audio

Function
Channel Return: Yes
Clock/Alarm: Yes
Closed Caption: Yes
Favorite Channel: Yes
Language: English, French, and Spanish
MTS: Yes
PIP/Split Screen: Yes
Sleep Timer: Yes
V- Chip Parental Control: Yes

Warranty
Warranty Type: One year On-Site Warranty

Other
Dimensions: 43.3" x 34.7" x 14.2"
Gross Weight: 107 lbs
Net Weight: 96 lbs
PC Resolution Support: Up to 1360 x 768 at 60 Hz
Power Consumption AC: 220 Watt
Regulatory Approval: FCC-B, UL, CUL, ICES003, CSA, Energy Star
Shipping Dimensions: 47.4" x 37.8" x 14.4"
Universal Remote: Yes


Pros

  • Lots of configuration options
  • Fantastic colors and detail
  • Respectable scaling and deinterlacing results
  • Removable/repositionable speakers can fit anyone’s style/preference

Cons

  • Not all those configuration options seem to actually do anything
  • Menu not as intuitive as it could be

Introduction

Like most of us, I started my purchasing of displays long before ED was an option, much less HD. Back then, you rarely had to look behind a TV to know what was back there – an RF/coaxial input for the on-roof antenna and maybe a couple of RCAs that you never knew why you’d ever need. Now, inputs, resolutions, deinterlacing, scaling and a host of other issues make display shopping far more complicated than ever. For the common consumer, what is really important is 1) How does it look and 2) How much is it. For videophiles, many more things come into play including mounting options for the unit picture quality, number of inputs, configuration and calibration options, and more. **Note - this display is no longer recommended. Please read more for specifics**

 

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