5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
The LT42HVi is at the sweet spot for features and price.
Date of Review: Aug 4, 2006
The Bottom Line: I recommend the Olevia Syntax LT42HVi. It has the best price for its features, and it does well in side-by-side comparison with other LCD and plasma big-screen televisions.
I purchased a Syntax Olevia LT42HVi and have been using it for watching DVD movies and playing video games. I am altogether pleased with the purchase.
The pros of the LT42HVi are:
* The 1,600:1 contrast ratio and 8ms response time are currently the best specs available in an LCD television. The LT42HVi has a display that is better than many laptop computers.
* A diagonal size of 42 inches is currently the best price point for an LCD television. 46" models with similar features as the LT42HVi are currently double the price.
* A resolution of 1366x768 is also currently the best price point. LCD televisions that are 1080 native are currently double or triple the price of a similar 720 model.
* The LT42HVi has a thick glass faceplate that can be replaced with standard stock if it gets scratched or cracked. This makes the LT42HVi a good choice for places where it may be damaged, such as in a public office or a household with children.
* The on-screen display is better than most low-end televisions. The OSD is sensible and exposes most of the things that you might want to change.
* The automatic screen adjustment option is excellent, especially for the VGA input. Changing the modelines of a video driver on a computer can be difficult and annoying.
* The headphone jack is handy for playing video games after your household is asleep. Now that I have a TV with a headphone jack, I use headphones often.
The LT42HVi is rated for 220 watts, which is less than a quarter of many larger plasma televisions and fairly low for an LCD television. If you live in a place where electricity or air conditioning are expensive, then the LT42HVi will save you money in the long term.
The LT42HVi is passively cooled. Many plasma televisions run hot and have built-in fans that make an annoying whirring noise.
The cons of the LT42HVi are:
* There is no warranty fulfillment in Canada by Syntax Group. The LT42HVi must be shipped to California if it needs service under the manufacturer warranty. I was willing to take this risk because the LT42HVi was $1,000 less than any other big-screen television that I was considering.
* The responsiveness of the remote control is sluggish and the buttons are uncomfortable. The IR sensor on the LT42Hvi also has a small field of vision, which means that you must point the remote control at the right place.
* The speakers cannot be side-mounted without purchasing a bezel kit for $150 USD from Syntax Group.
* Similarly, the LT42HVi is not bundled with a bracket for wall mounting, but it seems to have standard mounting holes that should be compatible with most third-party kits.
* The glass faceplate is like a mirror in some lighting conditions, which will greatly annoy some people. The glass faceplate can be easily removed, but the LCD will be vulnerable to damage.
* The edging and bundled stand are grey. I would have preferred that the LT42HVi be entirely black.
Without regret for choosing LCD over plasma.
I have been comparing my Syntax Olevia LT42HVi against a Panasonic TH42P plasma television that is owned by a family member.
The plasma television does some things better:
* The plasma television has a full field of view, whereas the LT42HVi ghosts at extreme angles.
* The Panasonic remote control is more comfortable to use and integrates with other AV components in the home theatre, whereas the LT42HVi remote control seems to be single-purpose.
I do not notice the difference in contrast ratios or response times unless the televisions are side-by-side, but I did notice the difference in resolutions, and I did notice that the plasma was already getting burn-in and color bleed.
