Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H Review

What the reviewers like:
The 32-inch Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H delivers an image that critics describe as pleasing overall, especially considering the Olevia's low price. Strong points include color rendition that’s better than many other LCD TVs and great detail in all but the darkest scenes. In short, reviews say this is a good HDTV overall and an excellent value.

What the reviewers don't like:
Several critics say black levels don’t match those of the better LCD TVs, and detail in darker scenes is sometimes lacking. False contouring can be seen in some dark scenes. The menu system is unusual and takes some getting used to. Part of the issue, according to some reviews, is that picture settings lack numerical values, which makes adjustments more difficult.

Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H review highlights

In reviews, the 32-inch Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H is noted as a good performing LCD TV and an excellent value. Like many LCD TVs, some experts say shadow detail is lacking. Black level, though short of the best LCD TVs, is better than most, critics say. The picture is very pleasing overall, with great color and superb detail in brighter scenes. The biggest issue noted in reviews is a user interface that’s described as unusual and confusing. By comparison, the Sony BRAVIA KDL-32S2400 (*est. $1,345) has better image quality, but that HDTV is almost twice as expensive as the Olevia 532H.

Consumer Reports is the best site for a comparative review of the 32-inch Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H. The magazine provides numerical scores and rankings in a number of areas, as well as an overall rating that makes it easy to see which LCD TVs rate best overall. One downside is that individual sets get only a few lines of commentary. The Perfect Vision tests and reviews far fewer LCD TVs than Consumer Reports, but the reviews themselves are longer, packed with lots of technical details and practical information. Although numerical ratings are given, and best performing TVs are recognized, there’s no easy way for users to compare the TVs to one another at The Perfect Vision.

Also see full report: LCD TV

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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LCD TVs
Editors of Consumer Reports
Feb. 2007

In their latest update, Consumer Reports' editors rate 67 LCD TVs, including the Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H. While Consumer Reports tests a huge number of televisions, it's disappointing that each TV gets only a sentence or two of evaluation. Still, the magazine updates its ratings on a regular basis, and those ratings are created through competent testing, so Consumer Reports remains a very good source for LCD TV reviews and information.

2. The Perfect Vision
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Olevia 532H 32" LCD -- Good Color, Bad Interface
Editors of The Perfect Vision
Oct. 2006

The Perfect Vision reports on LCD TVs in extensive individual reviews and occasional multi-set roundups. The reviews typically go into great detail, including the results of a battery of standard tests for color, detail, resolution and more. Editors generally focus on testing high-end televisions, but do occasionally test budget models, as well, including the Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H.

3. AVSForum.com
LCD Flat Panels
Contributors to AVSForum.com

This discussion site has a lot of great information on home entertainment equipment, including a forum dedicated to LCD flat panel televisions. While the Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H does not get as much discussion as some other LCD TVs, it is discussed in several threads, making this a good stop if you’re interested in this particular TV.

4. Amazon.com
Olevia 32" LCD HDTV - 532H reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

The Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H is the subject of over a dozen owner-written reviews so far at Amazon.com. User reviews begin to be useful when a couple of dozen owners have reviewed a product, so this is a good stop to see how well the Olevia 532H performs in real-world use as opposed to lab tests.

5. Epinions
Syntax Olevia 532H reviews
Contributors to Epinions

Epinions also lets readers review televisions, including the Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H LCD TV. However, compared to Amazon.com, far fewer owners have reviewed this LCD TV.

Also see full report: LCD TV

Syntax-Brillian Olevia 532H Review