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4.0 stars
"Excellent value! Fits the bill perfectly as an inexpensive, quality 32" LCD!"
Pros: Price: $525 delivered at Buy.com. Very good image. Great for watching DVDs.
Cons: No tuner, but I knew this. Also, can't program remote codes into universal remote!
Summary: I picked up the Olevia 332H about 2 months ago from Buy.com for $524.99 delivered to my front door. The idea was to replace the older 27" SD tube TV in my bedroom. I checked the price and specs on the Olevia model verses other 32" LCDs and figured "How can I go wrong?". I did not...it was a tremendous purchase.
Although it lacks a built in tuner, I was able to connect to my cable box via s-video cable. There is also an HDMI input if your box provides this connection. Analog channels are acceptable, and digital channels look as sharp as can be expected for standard def signal. I have not run any HD programming yet, but it has a very good overall picture with progressive scan DVD. I have not tried it as a computer monitor either.
It may not match the image quality of a $1,500 Sony LCD, but do the math. While the image may not be quite as vibrant and the high end name-brand LCDs, with a bit of fine-tuning I am quite happy with the results.
On the down side, a built in tuner would be nice, but not a must if you already use a cable or satelite box. The worst annoyance is that the remote functions cannot be programmed into any standard universal remote. It may work with an expensive "learning" type remote, but I am not about to buy one for my budget TV! My emails to Olevia tech support came back with the possibility that they may have remote codes available later this year. Let's hope. Since there is no tuner, it is only on/off and volume functions that are needed regularly...but it is still kind of inconvenient to need 2 remotes.
Overall, it is a fantastic 32" LCD television. What is may lack a bit in features and connectivity, it MORE than makes up for with it's incredible price, solid good looking design, and good image quality. If you want to step up to a nice mid-sized LCD, but don't want to break the bank in the process, this unit will not let you down!Updated
My thanks to CNET member tedlevy who pointed out the assumptive error I made in my initial review regarding the issue with the 332H's remote control. I stated that springing for an expensive leaning remote seemed unreasonable for a bargain priced TV. I followed his advice and purchased a Sony RM-VL600 learning remote from Circuit City today for $25.
I programmed all of the Olevia remote functions straight to the Sony remote with very little effort. It was also easy as can be to add the code to operate my trusty Philips DVP642 DVD player, as well as my Motorola digital cable box. I even customized a few functions for each remote output to suit my needs better (such as allowing the TV volume to be adjusted no matter if the remote was set to TV, DVD, or Cable. Nice.
Bottom line: If you buy this TV, which I highly recommend, you need to drop the extra $25 for the Sony RM-VL600 learning remote. It works like a champ and has added tremedous value to my Olevia 332H. If I could change my CNET rating, it would now be a solid 9+.
- 1 reply to this review
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I got a Sony RM-VL600 at BB for $20 or so and was able to teach it all the codes (with some work) for the Olevia 332H and it has preprogrammed the codes for my Comcast/SciAtl Explorer 8300 HD HD tuner plus dual PVR and my generic DVD.
Later I saw a Motorola learning remote in the drugstore for $15 or so, but can't vouch for it.
