Syntax Launches 26″ Olevia LT26HVE LCD HDTV

Syntax has just announced their newest Olevia LCD TV model, the 26″ LT26HVE HDTV set, and based on the given features and pricing, I think they could have another hit on their hands…

The new Olevia LT26HVE is a 26″ hi-def LCD TV, sporting a 1280x768 resolution (15:9, like the 27″ and 30″ units), 750:1 contrast ratio, 700nits brightness, a 170-degree view angle, and 12ms pixel response time. That should make for a great smaller-room HD experience.

The real kicker: an $899 US MSRP. WOW. Now, my guess is part of the lower pricepoint is due to size, since newer, smaller HD panels are now easier to produce, especially with the next generation plants cranking out denser LCDs in higher quantities. The other price ‘drop’ is based on Syntax designing its own chipset for digitally processing the video signal.

The new chipset, which Syntax has dubbed “iDEA” (Innovative Digitally Enhanced Architecture), combines both automatic and user-adjustable image control features to deliver better picture quality overall (clarity, color, etc.). By investing in their own technology, their lower-end units won’t pay the premium price needed for using a third-party image processor (like Genesis chips) – though my guess is they’ll still use the higher-end chips in higher-end units. 

Syntax’s iDEA technology includes four pre-configured image quality features for a premium HDTV cinematic video experience, and a number of user-adjustable controls as well. The automatic processing pieces include dynamic brightness and contrast adjustment, edge enhancement with motion compensation for clean/sharp details, and ‘chroma transition improvement’ which targets color shifts when taking interlaced video and displaying it in HD (and includes motion compensation to minimized ghosting).

In addition, the LT26HVE has user-controllable dynamic noise reduction to deliver better SD quality, as well as ‘black level extender’, ‘white peak limiter’, and ‘flesh tone control’, and ‘luma control’ features, each of which automatically adjusts particular characteristics of the video signal output for a clearer, improved HD image. (Since the press release covers each, I’ll just say it’s great for a supposed ‘budget’ LCD HDTV to give such higher-end control over imagery.) And the usual 3D comb filter and 3:2 pulldown features are still present as well.

For input, the Olevia LT26HVE has DVI/HDCP support, VGA input, dual component inputs (likely one 480p limited, one full 1080i support), s-video & component inputs, and RF input with a single NTSC tuner. Those specs all generally match the 30″ Olevia LCD TV we reviewed. But the unit looks like the new 32″/37″ line, with integrated 10w x 2 stereo speakers on the sides.

We can’t wait to get a look at the new iDEA technology up against the older Syntax models, and against hi-end units. At the $899 pricepoint, I think it could be a winner.

Read on for the full press release.