6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Olevia (Syntax-Brillian) 237T-12 > 537H for less $ = GREAT VALUE
Date of Review: Jan 11, 2008
The Bottom Line: LCD TV's just get cheaper and better. You won't regret buying this TV a year from now - you will if you pay $1500 for a better known brand.
OK - I'll probably get in trouble for this being off topic but the Olevia 237t-12 is essentially the same TV as the 537H with a few differences.
1. The 537H has a universal remote - the 237T does not.
2. The 237T-12 has TWO HDMI inputs. I've read NEITHER THE 537H OR THE 237T-11 AND EARLIER 237T's HAVE TWO HDMI INPUTS. THEY HAVE ONE. This is important for people who have late model DVD or Blueray players and video game systems that they want to hook up now or later.
3. The 237T-12 has iDIVA which was not available on the 237T-11 and earlier 237T's and is on the 537 and Olevia's 7 Series TV's.
4. The 237T-12 comes with a PRINTED set-up guide and instructions and the DVD manual (early 237's had only the DVD).
THE QUICK REVIEW:
The 237T is a 37" LCD TV
The "T" refers to the cabinet/speakers being under vs. on the sides of the TV.
Measurements: 36 5/8" W X 28 1/2 H X 8" (depth for the base). It fits inside my entertainment armoire.
1600:1 contrast ratio.
2 HDMI, 2 S-video, 1 PC, 2 sets audio inputs
Optical out, coax audio out, ear phone jack
The other specs are like the 537H.
I love bargains. This TV list for as much as $1049 on the internet. I bought one at Target for $494.10 when I opened a Target account. I know that won't work for everybody - but it should give you an idea of the market price range for this TV. Due to that price I also got the 3 year warranty for only $29. Woo hoo!
I love this TV. Yes - there is a delay when you turn it on and it takes a couple seconds to change channels. Actually the later is a good thing - here's why. The remote is set up for High Definition and digital broadcast tuning. In most markets the digital broadcast channels are currently sub-numbers of the analog channel (ie. 5-1, 7-1 as opposed to channel 5 or 7). The delay allows you to punch in the sub-number (the remote has a "-" key) before the TV tunes in the base number
The picture is very nice:
1600:1 contrast ratio compared to 1000:1 on many bargain LCD TV's.
8 millisecond response time = no ghosts or trails in actions viewing.
It offers picture in picture and split screen options.
Easy to choose apsect ratio AND zoom features from the remote.
FREEZE FRAME - You can freeze the broadcast image during broadcast (if you want to enjoy that big hit moment on the instant replay).
The digital tuner and HD reception allow me to continue to use the antenna in my attic. YES - we have no cable or dish. But with this TV we added about 20 new channels of over air digital broadcasts including 6 new PBS, 24 hour weather and traffic, and some new stations I'd never heard of. NOTE - WE ARE GETTING ALL OF THIS ON OUR UNALTERED 15 YEAR OLD ANTENNA WITHOUT BUYING A SPECIAL "HD" ANTENNA. I've read on some tech site that the only real "HD" feature on these new HD antennas is the term "High Definition" on the box. I can't say for sure - but we're getting amazing reception on our original antenna.
NOTE 2 - There's a website you can go to that will tell you the location of HD broadcast towers relative to your house so you can "aim" your antenna toward the signals. Sorry I don't have the address - but google HD broadcast towers or similar - it will pop up.
The sound is quite good (a negative in some reviews). The iDIVA feature allows you to emulate different audio settings like living room, church, concert hall, and arena. There are 10 choices in all.
BOTTOM LINE:
THIS IS A GREAT 37" TV AND A SMART SHOPPER CAN PROBABLY GET ONE FOR $600 OR LESS.
Watch out - not all 237T's are created equal. Some of the features on this TV were not on the earlier ones. They will all show as 237T. The actual box label will indicate whether it is a 237t-11 or 237t-12. I guess later versions could come along (a 237T-13?).
