Testing & Results

Testing Methodology

While I don't have any benchmark tests that I can run on this TV to pump some numbers and rate it against a standard, I think the most important feature of a TV or any display is how it looks. For that reason, I will be hooking this TV up to my computer, a Wii, a standard definition DVD player, and a Comcast HD cable box to see how well it performs in all categories. We'll see if all the claims are true.

Test System

• Motherboard: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-7235 REV:1.1
• System Memory: DDR2 PC2-6400 4gb
• Processor: Intel 6300 Core 2 Duo @ 1.86GHz
• Audio: Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy
• Video: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
• Disk Drive 1: Hitachi 160gb 7200RPM SATA
• Disk Drive 2: Seagate Barracuda 1.5tb 3.0m/s 7200RPM SATA
• Optical Drive: MAD DOG MD16X3DVD9-8X ATA
• PSU: LOGISYS Computer PS575XBK 575W ATX12V SLI Ready Power Supply
• Monitor: KTC FP-988D FujiPlus 19"
• Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1 (build 6001)

Results

First, we'll start with the standard video input from the cable and from a standard DVD player. The image quality was excellent, as is expected from standard definition on a high definition set. The only real problem I had on the standard definition side is that there are only one set of A/V inputs. I couldn't hook up my DVD player and my Wii using these. I had use component video cables for one of them. While that's not a big deal, if I hadn't had component video cables lying around, it would be very annoying to switch back and forth between the different input devices.

Next, I hooked the TV up to my computer to run some High Definition video. Frankly, I was amazed at the video quality. It was tough getting it up to the 1080i resolution that it touts, and the video was a little blurry at that level, but at 720p, it performed outstandingly.

Probably the biggest surprise for me was the sound quality. I turned the set up all the way and was taken aback by the clarity of sound provided. Having the speakers mounted vertically on the sides of the TV made it much easier to differentiate between the stereo channels. Obviously it's no competition for even a mediocre sound system, but I was impressed by the quality none-the-less.

Working through the menu options was a challenge. Olevia has its easy to use menu as a feature of the TV, but I found it to be a drawback. The wheel in wheel function was confusing and I pushed the wrong button too often. It was pretty frustrating. One other point of discontent that I had was that the manual is only on the CD. There is no hard copy of it. So while trying to figure out some of the options, I had to run back and forth from the living room to the office to look up something in the manual. Again, its not a huge deal, but it was a little annoying.

The 178 degree viewing angle is no joke. From one side to the other, you can see the picture clearly from any vantage point. Horizontally, that is. Looking from above or below is a different story. The picture becomes less and less visible as the vertical viewing angle increases. Of course, I don't plan on watching too much TV from under or above the set anyway.

The final turn-off for me, and it's a big one in my book, was that I could not find a code for this TV that worked with any other remote control. I looked all over the web for a solution and it looks like the 3rd generation and above TiVo remote controls will work with it, but other than that, you are looking at between $90 and $250 for a universal remote. I don't mind using two remotes all that much, but the Olevia remote died on me after a few months. So until I fork over the big bucks for a nicer remote, I have to get my lazy self up off the couch to turn up the volume.

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