I saw the Syntax LCD at Gateway mall today. Maganda! I was really really tempted to buy one on the spot - but of course with this being a major purchase, I would need the opinion of those who already own this. I don't have an HTPC (yet) but my PC system is more than capable .
jay, I've never seen these 16:9 screens side by side with "normal" TVs. How does the size compare to a 25" TV? Also, how's the quality if you have it hooked up to cable tv. I would think there would be some black bars on the sides so that the image is shown as 4:3.
For the benefit of everyone (including Hubes who asked if there was a 20" model), I am posting the prices that I got:
SLC-2083 (20") - Php 44,995
SLC-2706 (27") - Php 89,995
SLC-302C (30") - Php 129,995
They had another model which has PIP. In the demo unit that they had, the screen was split in half vertically with the two halves showing different channels)
KLT-2701 (27") Php 114, 995
KLT-3001 (30") Php 154, 995
- Jett
Hi Jett,
Actually before I purchased the TV, I tested it with a DVD and with their D-VHS player. The quality of the output is dependent on the input. DVD was excellent, D-VHS was absolutley stunning - this is real High Definition Video. Now the reason why I did not include cable TV as a deciding factor because cable reception varies a lot, your actual cable connection, connector, even the cable carrier. My cable TV is not really clear to begin with so I was not expecting much from the Syntax. Also unlike CRT Displays LCDs dont have real blacks (slightly grayish black). This is a known fact of LCDs and of course CRTs look better. Some CRT TVs have special settings to improve cable TV and analog sources. The syntax has Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, and Noise Reduction. There are 4 picture presets, Nature, Bright, Soft and User. 4 levels of backlighting. Basically the Syntax is a monitor your output is dependent on your input. With that said, my cable TV viewing is not so great, but im assuming its my cable connection that has the problem and not the TV since, DVD and PC output is superb. As soon as you plug it into your computer, it was automatically detected as a plug and play monitor. The Syntax also also has stereo speakers and has an option for SRS. It has 4 Audio presets, News, Music, Movie and User. You can enable and disable speakers and headphone output.
About 4:3 and 16:9, you can select which aspect ratio you want. Cable TV is 4:3 so if you choose 16:9 aspect ratio, the picture will be horizonally streched. If you choose 4:3 you will get black bars on the sides. There is a special function called panorama which alters the picture by displaying TV as 16:9 and having more strech on the sides of the image, the center of the image does not look too streched. Zoom mode, crops out the top and bottom of a 4:3 aspect and displays it fullscreen 16:9.
Regarding the more expensive KLT models, these have dual tuners, you can watch 2 channels simultaneously. But realistically would you watch 2 channels at once? and also the SLC models have a lower dot pitch... (the lower the better). I'd still go with the SLC models. They look slick too.
Comparing size, I did compare it with my 29" 4:3 set. and this 27" Wide is definately bigger by... A LOT. Especially for widescreen anamorphic DVDs the width maximizes the picture. On my 29" 4:3 the DVD image is way smaller since there are black bars on the top and bottom.
As for my Opinion, I think of it this way.. its like I bought a TV and a huge PC monitor at an unbeatable price. PC monitor because you can do PC resolutions up to 1280x720. You can really work with this as a monitor, you can use apps you would normaly use on a regular PC monitor. Before I bought this, I was using a 29" Pixel plus, although it was great for watching movies, I simply could not use it productively with PC apps since my resolution is limited to 720x540p, anything higher would be interlaced and would not have readable text.
Playing games is Awesome!!! Half Life 2, Chronicles of Riddick, Battle for Middle earth! HAYOP. Widescreen gaming is a whole new experience. I want to try DOOM3 with this, there is a widescreen hack for it!
Pros:
1. Good DVD Progressive scan output.
2. Excelent HTPC output via VGA or DVI (currently using DVI)
3. HD content is very sharp
4. Doubles as a TV and a PC monitor since you can work as close as 1-2Feet away from the LCD without radiation
5. PC compatible resolutions VGA, SVGA, XGA, WXGA
6. Multiple inputs: Composite, S-video, 2 separate Component inputs (autosensing progressive/interlaced),VGA and DVI inputs.
7. You can't beat the price!
Cons:
1. Cable TV looks fuzzy and a bit washed out (this could be due to my cable)
2. VGA and DVI cannot be used simultaneously. (although you can connect to PC's to it, you can only use them one at a time)
3. Remote control's response time is a bit slow. (Kolin is replacing my remote control unit)
4. Sleep timer is only up to 30 Minutes
My verdict:
TV viewing is normal, nothing spectacular. Watching DVDs Widescreen and using as a PC monitor is excellent. Since it doubles as a PC monitor and a TV you really get value for your money. Compared to other LCDs with the same specs the price is unbeatable.
