February 2007
First Look: Olevia 537H
A midsized, value-priced LCD
Like other brands such as Vizio and Westinghouse, Olevia is beginning to earn a reputation for HDTVs that offer good value
for the money. For example, the 42-inch Olevia 542i, at $1,200, is Consumer Reports' Best Buy for LCD TVs with screens 40 inches and larger. The company's 37-inch 537H set, an LCD selling for about $850, is
another case in point. It offers very good overall picture quality for a lower price than similar-sized, major-brand models.
The 537H has a 768p (1366x768) native resolution and a few features, such as two HDTV tuners, that aren't normally found at
this price. Look for additional TV reviews in our Ratings, available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers.
HIGHS
Very good picture quality. This 37-inch model had very good overall picture quality, though the picture wasn't quite as sharp as that of our top-rated sets. It did an especially good job playing back film-based content.
Wide viewing angle. This set can be viewed from a fairly wide viewing angle for an LCD set.
Very good sound quality. The set's built-in speakers provide very good sound quality, and there are several presets that can be activated to simulate different acoustic environments, such as a club or hall.
Includes RGB controls. Within the menu related to color-temperature settings are gain and offset controls. Those let you make light and dark color adjustments for red, green, and blue (RGB), an unusual feature in a 37-inch model.
LOWS
Complex on-screen display menu. The TV's onscreen menu system uses a unique and complex "icon wheel" system that can be difficult to navigate.
Hard-to-access inputs. All the connections are in the back, in a cramped space that's hard to reach. Also, there are no front or side inputs, which makes connecting temporary gear, such as a camcorder or game system, unnecessarily cumbersome.
No printed manual. The user manual comes on a CD, with no print version, so you have to boot up your computer when you need to consult it.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Despite a few shortcomings, Olevia's 537H represents a good value in the 37-inch LCD category. It offers a winning combination of very good overall picture quality and a satisfying number of features. The inclusion of a VGA connection allows the TV to easily double as a PC monitor.
HIGHS
Very good picture quality. This 37-inch model had very good overall picture quality, though the picture wasn't quite as sharp as that of our top-rated sets. It did an especially good job playing back film-based content.
Wide viewing angle. This set can be viewed from a fairly wide viewing angle for an LCD set.
Very good sound quality. The set's built-in speakers provide very good sound quality, and there are several presets that can be activated to simulate different acoustic environments, such as a club or hall.
Includes RGB controls. Within the menu related to color-temperature settings are gain and offset controls. Those let you make light and dark color adjustments for red, green, and blue (RGB), an unusual feature in a 37-inch model.
LOWS
Complex on-screen display menu. The TV's onscreen menu system uses a unique and complex "icon wheel" system that can be difficult to navigate.
Hard-to-access inputs. All the connections are in the back, in a cramped space that's hard to reach. Also, there are no front or side inputs, which makes connecting temporary gear, such as a camcorder or game system, unnecessarily cumbersome.
No printed manual. The user manual comes on a CD, with no print version, so you have to boot up your computer when you need to consult it.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Despite a few shortcomings, Olevia's 537H represents a good value in the 37-inch LCD category. It offers a winning combination of very good overall picture quality and a satisfying number of features. The inclusion of a VGA connection allows the TV to easily double as a PC monitor.
