Vizio vs. Olevia LCD HDTV Shootout Continued

Vizio vs Olevia Shootout Page 1

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS RATING:

OLEVIA LCD – 84/100

VIZIO LCD - 78/100

Aspect Ratio Sizing Considerations: The Olevia LCD had a very solid aspect ratio lineup including dual zoom and pixel by pixel modes. The aspect algorithms in the Olevia 242T performed in a realistic manner. The Vizio LCD has 4 aspect ratios. The Wide mode will be preferred for most programming.
Advantage: Olevia LCD

Inputs: Both brands contained adequate inputs. The Vizio LCD has 3 HDMI inputs and also contains a VGA 15 pin input. The Olevia LCD has 2 HDMI inputs, but it also as a firmware upgradeable USB port and a RS232C input.
Advantage: Even

The Vizio's high-gloss black finish takes the
edge in the aesthetics department

Aesthetic Considerations: The high gloss black frame and stand of the Vizio VW46LF is attractive if that’s a look you like. The undermounted speakers have the patented V shaped design. The framing bezel is 1.7 inches on top and about 2 inches on the sides with the undermounted speakers at about 4 inches. The total depth of the unit is about 4 inches. The only real drawback is that light reflecting off the frame can distract while viewing.
The Olevia 242T LCD is matte charcoal black with undermounted speakers. The framing bezel is 2 inches top and sides with the bottom mounted speakers adding 4 inches. The depth of the LCD is a less than slim 4.72 inches. The bottom mounted speakers are detachable but appear somewhat awkward on the unit with an open line between the LCD panel and the speakers.
Advantage: Vizio LCD

Remote Control: The Vizio remote is a good size, gloss black, has no backlighting, and imcomplete functionality. It does not even have an aspect ratio button. The user must enter the menu of the TV to change this function. The Vizio remote is a failure in many regards. The Olevia remote has plenty of function keys including sleep function key, freeze function key and aspect key. Depressing any key activates the backlighting for the remote buttons.
Advantage: Olevia LCD

The Olevia's remote (pictured bottom) has much
more functionality and backlighting

Menu functionality: Neither of these LCD TVs has discrete picture settings for different inputs which is a major drawback. Both companies have good manuals with Vizio’s having the better layout and design.
Olevia LCD – The 242T has no numerical values for settings. There is only one picture setting. The menu wheel is inadequate, quirky and difficult to use and understand. The menu wheel actually got stuck at one point forcing me to restart completely to get it functioning again. Though the actual number of functions is solid, the menu system design and setup is a failure.
Vizio LCD – Finding the Wide menu option in the set up portion of the menu is not easy, but this must be done to change the aspect ratio. At least there are numerical values for the picture settings. The menu is easy enough to navigate though there are no on screen instructions directing the user to press the right arrow key to change menu settings. There is a lip sync function feature.
Advantage: Vizio LCD

Audio Output:
Olevia LCD – There was very good sound separation and virtual surround effect from the two 15W X 15W internal detachable speakers. Menu options for treble, bass, balance were clear, however the major drawback was the volume output from the left/right speaker inputs. From just 10 feet viewing distance with the output maximized I was perfectly comfortable. Volume levels increased and was plenty sufficient when using the HDMI input. The 47” Olevia LCD has 20W X 20W speakers by comparison.
Vizio LCD – The Vizio’s 10W X 10W speakers sound tinny, distant, and hollow. I was underwhelmed by the quality and volume output.
Advantage: Olevia LCD

Service:
Olevia LCD: The service department can be reached at 1-866-965-3842. The warranty only covers the original purchase and is on year parts and labor. In order to qualify for warranty service, you do have to register within 30 days of the purchase. Some models have in home service (which may not be available in all areas). The 2T (except 226T) series offers in home service for all models 32 inches and larger, while the 7 series offers in home service for 42 inches and above. All other TV’s will have to be shipped at the customer’s expense.

Vizio LCD: Once the TV is out of the retailers warranty period (typically 1 month) the following is Vizio’s warranty policy:You can contact Vizio support at 1-877-698-4946. They offer a “limited” one year parts and labor warranty as long as the product was purchased new from an authorized Vizio reseller. The repair and replacement of your TV will be at the sole discretion of Vizio. Any shipping cost will be at the customer’s expense. According to their warranty information, they offer in home service for TVs 30 inches and above for problems that can be repaired on site. “The determination for performing on-site repair is dependent upon the manufacturing defect and is at Vizio’s sole option and discretion.” Repairs may be made with new or recertified (i.e. used) parts. The Vizio TVs are serviced through a third party, unless they must be shipped back to the Vizio service center in Irvine, CA. From our past experience and reports, most manufacturer defects with TVs must be serviced in a service center and cannot be repaired on site. Thus, the customer will be responsible for safe transit of the TV to Vizio’s service center in California ad back. Advice? Don’t throw the box away.

Note: To read our complete information on the service of these two brands click here.
Advantage: Olevia LCD

Extra Features:
The Olevia LCD had the better feature set with more aspect ratio options, a freeze mode feature, sleep feature, favorites feature among others. Also, the backlight (room light) control right there on the remote control is a big plus. The Vizio VW46L LCD has very limited extra feature options.
Advantage: Olevia LCD

The Gamer's Edge

Reviewer: Jack Burden

I prefered the Olevia LCD for gaming due to it's
much faster response time and better colors.

It's no secret that HDTVs are used nearly as much for video gaming as for TV and movie viewing these days so I hooked up our Sony Playstation 3 to both LCDs to see which one fared better for high definition gaming. The games tested were Call of Duty 4, Heavenly Sword and Motorstorm. The toughest test for motion lag is the fast paced, first person shooter Call of Duty 4. You are constantly moving your view around and on the Vizio I had trouble spotting targets due to the excessive smearing from motion lag. The Vizio's brightness helped with fighting in dark areas but the colors looked better overall on the Olevia. Motorstorm and Heavenly Sword performed well on both sets, since the camera is pretty static in these two the motion lag isn't as apparent but could be picked out when making hard turns in Motorstorm or during some of the faster parts of Heavenly Sword. Both TV's looked good playing the games but the Olevia's better black levels and motion performance make it the winner for gamers choosing between these two LCD TV's.
Advantage: Olevia LCD

VALUE RATING:

OLEVIA LCD – 83/100

VIZIO LCD - 80/100

At large discount retailers such as Target and WalMart, the Olevia 242T is currently selling for around $1050.00. Keep in mind this is for a 42” TV. This lands the Olevia around $100 to $200 less than an LG, Toshiba, or JVC 42” 1080p LCD. The Vizio VW46L sells for around $1350.00. This is a 46” LCD TV. So the Vizio is selling at a $100 to $300 discount from brands like Samsung, Toshiba, and JVC so is slightly more competitive. Given the size difference Vizio and Olevia are very comparable in value. How good a value are they in the market? That depends upon how much quality you get for the price. We see some major weaknesses in both, but also some strong points for discount LCDs. I put them both at a very mediocre value compared to other top selling LCD TV brands such as Sony, Samsung, Toshiba, Philips and LG. Price is an especially important component for these 2nd tier brands. My value ratings here are falling in line with my picture quality ratings above.

OVERALL RATING: (Picture Quality carries double weight)

OLEVIA LCD – 82.25/100

VIZIO LCD - 79/100

Rating scale from 70 (denoting poorest quality) to 100 (signifying the very best quality). A rating in the 60s for any particular category of a product review indicates a serious defect which causes the product not to operate properly. Picture quality is double-weighted in the Overall Rating Score calculation.

Review Equipment Used: Sony BDP-S1 Blu Ray player, Sony Playstation 3, Sony DVP-S50 DVD player (two), JVC HM-DH40000U HD Video Cassete player, Sencore Color Pro 5000, Sencore Auto Cal Pro, Sencore signal generator.