My "Plan B"... Olevia, viewsonic, vizio??!! best budget 37" LCD!?

EddieDZ · 07-23-2006, 06:52 PM

Ok, heres my story, Im aiming for a LCD HDTV 37" for this holiday(around thanksgiving due to the great sales) and my "plan A" is to go for the Sharp Aqous LC37D40U, it has the best specs and highest ratings/reviews i've read so far(and im not speaking customer reviews).

Currently I can find it for around $1,600 at 6ave.com, but on a average it can be found for around $1,800 online and around $2,000 at retail stores, by November im sure these numbers will drop.

However i need to have a back up plan, a "plan B" just incase i am unable to save enough money in time for november, so i went looking into some "bang for the buck/budget" 37" LCD HDTV's and have narrow my choice to these(in the order from top to lowest):

1. Syntax Olevia LT37HVS
2. Viewsonic N3760w
2. Westinghouse LTV37w2
3. Vizio LC37HDTV

I've read reviews on these LCD's from different sources and am still unsure as to which is better.

one thing that i do not find very appealing on the Olevia is the extrem low contrast ratio, it states 1600:1 "DYNAMIC"!?!?! im thinking to myself that is very very low considering the samsungs from last year where 4000:1 dynamic and sharps LCxxD4U series where 800:1 actual and 4000:1 dynamic, so im assuming the 1600:1 dynamic is like 300:1 static!!??. but another thing that has caught my eye is that the Olevia's LCD panel(which is from LG,philips) is not the regular 'Ol TFT matrix, its a S-IPS(super in-plane switching) which is said to provide much better viewing angles and better contrast, so then maybe the 1600:1 dyanmic is more like 800:1 actual???!!.

another thing i read is that the Olevia has the user option of turning off the Dynamic contrast!?!? i read from a user that its best to turn it off and keep it off since Dynamic contrast is nothing but a joke?!!? I have yet to understand "dynamic contrast" but from what i read my assumption is that its measured differently then static/actual contrast thus always resulting in a higher more attractive number.

the other 3 choices i have read reviews and its pretty much a mix bags!, some say they are great, others have stated how bad the color is etc..etc.. i still need to look further into those.

my other dilemma is whether i should buy it while i am down in florida or should i save the money and buy it when i get back up here to Canada, the prices of LCD 37" are extremly high up here, $2,399 for the sharp LC37D40U and the LOWEST 37" LCD HDTV is $1,500 no-name brand and well over $2,000 for any other middle class brand, hell a 32" top name brand like sharp sells for over $1,700!,..... but then again it will cost me a arm and a leg to ship it from FL to canada (UPS arond $100-$200)plus tax/duties and brokerage fee ontop of that. Also up here i have found 2 models that i know nothing about and i think they are only available in canada.

Prima LC37T26 (futureshop)
Prima LC37G18X-0C-P (bestbuy.ca)
Daytek DT3740 (costco canada)

I found the website for the Daytek and am still searching for reviews on it, but i cannot find ANYTHING on the prima models. it also seems futureshop does not have the "Digimate" or "Insignia" budget LCD brands anymore.

I know its a long story and thank god i still have afew more months to think about this, but im still aiming for the best quality, the Sharp Aqous, but i really would like to have a backup plan just incase i cannot afford it even by november, i would like to know which one is the BEST budget LCD 37" in terms of picture quality, inputs and features!!

finally the only flaw in the sharp aqous LC37D40U that i just found out is that the TV CANNOT zoom, smart stretch etc HD signals via component or HDMI, a huge let down since i will want to watching everything that is 4:3 in smart stretch mode, but then again maybe when i get the HD service from rogers their HD box has the option to smart stretch 4:3 signals.

Thank guys, any help will be appreciated!

Nevada_MO_Guy · 07-23-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieDZ

Ok, heres my story, Im aiming for a LCD HDTV 37" for this holiday

Plan C
Westinghouse LVM-37w3, 37" HDTV-ready 1080p LCD monitor for around $1600 LVM-37w3

Plan D
Toshiba 37HL95, 37" TheaterWide high-definition LCD TV for around $1800 37HL95

Happy Holidays

EddieDZ · 07-24-2006, 07:33 AM

$1,800 is over my limit. i do know about the westinghouse 37" 1080p, but i am not aiming for a 1080p set dispite the price. I feel the difference will be very minimal from 1080p 37" and 720p 37", its just too small of a screen size to take full advantage. whenever i decide to get a 1080p set in the future its certainly not going to be 37", it'll be at least 45", sadly its impossible for me to afford a 45" 1080p set now, maybe in 4years the prices will be much much less and when 1080p is more broad(e.g. lots of blu-ray movies/HDdvd movies)

eHDMI · 07-24-2006, 09:09 AM

I personally own the Vizio 37" and love it. No issues and the set looks great! Not sure about the others

johnnytuinals · 07-24-2006, 01:23 PM

I just bought the Syntax Olevia LT37HVS and I am very happy with the picture from DishTv....Just got it a few days ago and did not touch any settings at all as of yet and I am getting a great pic...
But for the price I got it for $999 No Tax Free Shipping from Newegg.com......The response on it is 8ms and has many inputs and the remote is not as bad as everyone says....
I feel for the price why not pick it up now instead of waiting,prices will come down a little here and there but at $999 they will not get lower......JT

EddieDZ · 07-24-2006, 02:10 PM

trust me, if i where to have $999 right now i would have for sure! ordered the LTV37HVS.. i couldnt believe how low they have it for, but i notice its a "special" so i know the price will go back to normal soon

.

the viewsonic and vizio i can find for around $1,200-$1,300. the westinhouse around $1,500 and the aqous around $1,600-$1,800. these are all U.S. prices not Canadian..

johnnytuinals · 07-24-2006, 02:51 PM

My friend has a Viewsonic and he loves it,Think he only paid $1200 for his 37".....Good luck.......JT

EddieDZ · 07-25-2006, 07:02 PM

can i get anymore comments from anyone ? thnx

smurfer · 07-25-2006, 07:53 PM

Sounds like trolling to me...

Let me take off my tin foil hat since you seem to be fixated on contrast ratio and reviews. The Samsung has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 enough light there if you like looking into the sun. All of those models you listed either don't have NTSC/QAM or both. You bash the Sceptre on looks and now your thinking of the Syntax if thats your idea of a good looking TV then you really do havce bad taste. Looks like I got sucked into the vortex c ya!

hiwind · 07-25-2006, 08:26 PM

not trying to sound like a d*ck, but why don't you save your money and buy a quality set instead of buying a knock off P.O.S! Might as well buy a polaroid great set........... get a circuit city or best buy credit card and get some no intrest for 18 months and get the set you really want and be happy....

EddieDZ · 07-25-2006, 10:19 PM

nope, not trolling, just trying to get as much input as i can.

"All of those models you listed either don't have NTSC/QAM or both"

shit really? i'll have to double check cause i almost swore they did!?..

"The Samsung has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1"

thats a plasma im assuming since its almost impossible for a LCD to have that such contrast lol. im not looking into plasmas, thx

hiwind -
"P.O.S."?! i wouldnt have consider those models to be POS's, i see them more as budget units or "inexpensive" LCD at a "acceptable PQ level"... yea.. i still want the D40U, but i just thought maybe i should have a backup plan just incase the worst happens.. thx

smurfer · 07-26-2006, 07:51 AM

I meant to say ATSC/QAM sorry my bad..

gwalkeruns · 07-26-2006, 07:55 AM

Costco had the Sharp for 1200 yesterday---they are offering a 300.00 of coupon. If not that, go for the vizio. All the "experts" have been impressed with the high quality, low price.

EddieDZ · 07-26-2006, 06:48 PM

i've read crazy mix reviews on the Vizio AND Viewsonic... i would just have to see these two face to face in afew weeks when i got to costco.

but to have the sharp for 1200!!! *jaw drops* would that be the 32"? cause the 37" is $1800.

smurfer -
can ya tell me the main difference from NTSC tuner/ATSC tuner and QAM tuner???

smurfer · 07-27-2006, 09:58 AM

NTSC is just your regular cable feed just about every TV comes with one. ATSC tuners are for over the air reception using your antenna, QAM is used for descrambiling cable signals so you can watch TV without an STB but anything over 125/135 you need to rent the box for movie channels and such. Hope this helps good luck!

07-23-2006, 06:52 PM	#1
EddieDZ PSN is Free Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 4,707	My "Plan B"... Olevia, viewsonic, vizio??!! best budget 37" LCD!? Ok, heres my story, Im aiming for a LCD HDTV 37" for this holiday(around thanksgiving due to the great sales) and my "plan A" is to go for the Sharp Aqous LC37D40U, it has the best specs and highest ratings/reviews i've read so far(and im not speaking customer reviews). Currently I can find it for around $1,600 at 6ave.com, but on a average it can be found for around $1,800 online and around $2,000 at retail stores, by November im sure these numbers will drop. However i need to have a back up plan, a "plan B" just incase i am unable to save enough money in time for november, so i went looking into some "bang for the buck/budget" 37" LCD HDTV's and have narrow my choice to these(in the order from top to lowest): 1. Syntax Olevia LT37HVS 2. Viewsonic N3760w 2. Westinghouse LTV37w2 3. Vizio LC37HDTV I've read reviews on these LCD's from different sources and am still unsure as to which is better. one thing that i do not find very appealing on the Olevia is the extrem low contrast ratio, it states 1600:1 "DYNAMIC"!?!?! im thinking to myself that is very very low considering the samsungs from last year where 4000:1 dynamic and sharps LCxxD4U series where 800:1 actual and 4000:1 dynamic, so im assuming the 1600:1 dynamic is like 300:1 static!!??. but another thing that has caught my eye is that the Olevia's LCD panel(which is from LG,philips) is not the regular 'Ol TFT matrix, its a S-IPS(super in-plane switching) which is said to provide much better viewing angles and better contrast, so then maybe the 1600:1 dyanmic is more like 800:1 actual???!!. another thing i read is that the Olevia has the user option of turning off the Dynamic contrast!?!? i read from a user that its best to turn it off and keep it off since Dynamic contrast is nothing but a joke?!!? I have yet to understand "dynamic contrast" but from what i read my assumption is that its measured differently then static/actual contrast thus always resulting in a higher more attractive number. the other 3 choices i have read reviews and its pretty much a mix bags!, some say they are great, others have stated how bad the color is etc..etc.. i still need to look further into those. my other dilemma is whether i should buy it while i am down in florida or should i save the money and buy it when i get back up here to Canada, the prices of LCD 37" are extremly high up here, $2,399 for the sharp LC37D40U and the LOWEST 37" LCD HDTV is $1,500 no-name brand and well over $2,000 for any other middle class brand, hell a 32" top name brand like sharp sells for over $1,700!,..... but then again it will cost me a arm and a leg to ship it from FL to canada (UPS arond $100-$200)plus tax/duties and brokerage fee ontop of that. Also up here i have found 2 models that i know nothing about and i think they are only available in canada. Prima LC37T26 (futureshop) Prima LC37G18X-0C-P (bestbuy.ca) Daytek DT3740 (costco canada) I found the website for the Daytek and am still searching for reviews on it, but i cannot find ANYTHING on the prima models. it also seems futureshop does not have the "Digimate" or "Insignia" budget LCD brands anymore. I know its a long story and thank god i still have afew more months to think about this, but im still aiming for the best quality, the Sharp Aqous, but i really would like to have a backup plan just incase i cannot afford it even by november, i would like to know which one is the BEST budget LCD 37" in terms of picture quality, inputs and features!! finally the only flaw in the sharp aqous LC37D40U that i just found out is that the TV CANNOT zoom, smart stretch etc HD signals via component or HDMI, a huge let down since i will want to watching everything that is 4:3 in smart stretch mode, but then again maybe when i get the HD service from rogers their HD box has the option to smart stretch 4:3 signals. Thank guys, any help will be appreciated!

07-24-2006, 09:09 AM	#4
eHDMI Vizio 37 LCD Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,647	I personally own the Vizio 37" and love it. No issues and the set looks great! Not sure about the others __________________ Discount HDTV Accessories HDFury

07-24-2006, 01:23 PM	#5
johnnytuinals High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 183	Syntax Olevia LT37HVS I just bought the Syntax Olevia LT37HVS and I am very happy with the picture from DishTv....Just got it a few days ago and did not touch any settings at all as of yet and I am getting a great pic... But for the price I got it for $999 No Tax Free Shipping from Newegg.com......The response on it is 8ms and has many inputs and the remote is not as bad as everyone says.... I feel for the price why not pick it up now instead of waiting,prices will come down a little here and there but at $999 they will not get lower......JT

07-25-2006, 07:53 PM	#9
smurfer Hyperdrive Motivator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: W. Los Angeles, CA Age: 44 Posts: 260	Sounds like trolling to me... Let me take off my tin foil hat since you seem to be fixated on contrast ratio and reviews. The Samsung has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 enough light there if you like looking into the sun. All of those models you listed either don't have NTSC/QAM or both. You bash the Sceptre on looks and now your thinking of the Syntax if thats your idea of a good looking TV then you really do havce bad taste. Looks like I got sucked into the vortex c ya! __________________ HTPC/Gamer: Amd X2 3800 @ 2.5, XP Raid 0x2 36Gb Raptors. Logical 4TB. DFI nForce 4 Ultra D SLi 4 x 512 OCZ 3200 PL @ 500Mhz 1:1 OCZ PowerStream 600 watt psu Pioneer BDC 202 BD reader Xbox HD DVD add on XFX 7950GT Aud 2 (spdif out) Pioneer VSX-03TXH Toshiba 46LX177(Native res)1920x1080P @ 120Hz Adelphia HD Motorola 3416 STB(FW8.14) Active/Working IEEE1394 HD-A3 HD DVD HD-XA2 refurb/exchanged for new class "A" by Tosh Samsung BD-UP5000 01/08 FW 1.2

07-25-2006, 08:26 PM	#10
hiwind High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 56	not trying to sound like a d*ck, but why don't you save your money and buy a quality set instead of buying a knock off P.O.S! Might as well buy a polaroid great set........... get a circuit city or best buy credit card and get some no intrest for 18 months and get the set you really want and be happy.... __________________ Panasonic th37px60u Panasonic th50px50u Panasonic th58px60u Monster hts3500mkii Monster hts3600mkii Monster mphts1600 Pioneer dvc302d Comcast DVR HDMI Samsung DVDBDP1000 XBOX 360 w/ Monster Component Cables!

07-24-2006, 07:33 AM	#3
EddieDZ PSN is Free Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 4,707	$1,800 is over my limit. i do know about the westinghouse 37" 1080p, but i am not aiming for a 1080p set dispite the price. I feel the difference will be very minimal from 1080p 37" and 720p 37", its just too small of a screen size to take full advantage. whenever i decide to get a 1080p set in the future its certainly not going to be 37", it'll be at least 45", sadly its impossible for me to afford a 45" 1080p set now, maybe in 4years the prices will be much much less and when 1080p is more broad(e.g. lots of blu-ray movies/HDdvd movies)

07-24-2006, 02:10 PM	#6
EddieDZ PSN is Free Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 4,707	trust me, if i where to have $999 right now i would have for sure! ordered the LTV37HVS.. i couldnt believe how low they have it for, but i notice its a "special" so i know the price will go back to normal soon . the viewsonic and vizio i can find for around $1,200-$1,300. the westinhouse around $1,500 and the aqous around $1,600-$1,800. these are all U.S. prices not Canadian..

07-24-2006, 02:51 PM	#7
johnnytuinals High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 183	My friend has a Viewsonic and he loves it,Think he only paid $1200 for his 37".....Good luck.......JT

07-25-2006, 07:02 PM	#8
EddieDZ PSN is Free Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 4,707	can i get anymore comments from anyone ? thnx

07-25-2006, 10:19 PM	#11
EddieDZ PSN is Free Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 4,707	nope, not trolling, just trying to get as much input as i can. "All of those models you listed either don't have NTSC/QAM or both" shit really? i'll have to double check cause i almost swore they did!?.. "The Samsung has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1" thats a plasma im assuming since its almost impossible for a LCD to have that such contrast lol. im not looking into plasmas, thx hiwind - "P.O.S."?! i wouldnt have consider those models to be POS's, i see them more as budget units or "inexpensive" LCD at a "acceptable PQ level"... yea.. i still want the D40U, but i just thought maybe i should have a backup plan just incase the worst happens.. thx

07-26-2006, 07:51 AM	#12
smurfer Hyperdrive Motivator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: W. Los Angeles, CA Age: 44 Posts: 260	I meant to say ATSC/QAM sorry my bad.. __________________ HTPC/Gamer: Amd X2 3800 @ 2.5, XP Raid 0x2 36Gb Raptors. Logical 4TB. DFI nForce 4 Ultra D SLi 4 x 512 OCZ 3200 PL @ 500Mhz 1:1 OCZ PowerStream 600 watt psu Pioneer BDC 202 BD reader Xbox HD DVD add on XFX 7950GT Aud 2 (spdif out) Pioneer VSX-03TXH Toshiba 46LX177(Native res)1920x1080P @ 120Hz Adelphia HD Motorola 3416 STB(FW8.14) Active/Working IEEE1394 HD-A3 HD DVD HD-XA2 refurb/exchanged for new class "A" by Tosh Samsung BD-UP5000 01/08 FW 1.2

07-26-2006, 07:55 AM	#13
gwalkeruns High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 258	prices Costco had the Sharp for 1200 yesterday---they are offering a 300.00 of coupon. If not that, go for the vizio. All the "experts" have been impressed with the high quality, low price.

07-26-2006, 06:48 PM	#14
EddieDZ PSN is Free Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 4,707	i've read crazy mix reviews on the Vizio AND Viewsonic... i would just have to see these two face to face in afew weeks when i got to costco. but to have the sharp for 1200!!! jaw drops would that be the 32"? cause the 37" is $1800. smurfer - can ya tell me the main difference from NTSC tuner/ATSC tuner and QAM tuner???

07-27-2006, 09:58 AM	#15
smurfer Hyperdrive Motivator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: W. Los Angeles, CA Age: 44 Posts: 260	NTSC is just your regular cable feed just about every TV comes with one. ATSC tuners are for over the air reception using your antenna, QAM is used for descrambiling cable signals so you can watch TV without an STB but anything over 125/135 you need to rent the box for movie channels and such. Hope this helps good luck! __________________ HTPC/Gamer: Amd X2 3800 @ 2.5, XP Raid 0x2 36Gb Raptors. Logical 4TB. DFI nForce 4 Ultra D SLi 4 x 512 OCZ 3200 PL @ 500Mhz 1:1 OCZ PowerStream 600 watt psu Pioneer BDC 202 BD reader Xbox HD DVD add on XFX 7950GT Aud 2 (spdif out) Pioneer VSX-03TXH Toshiba 46LX177(Native res)1920x1080P @ 120Hz Adelphia HD Motorola 3416 STB(FW8.14) Active/Working IEEE1394 HD-A3 HD DVD HD-XA2 refurb/exchanged for new class "A" by Tosh Samsung BD-UP5000 01/08 FW 1.2