Syntax Groups announced here that it will expand its business in 2005, in part, through an agreement to source LCD panels from LG.Philips, which will enable the company to move into very large screen displays.
At the same time, the company showed new models that it is using to reinforce its brand image as a producer of high quality digital-television products at value price points.
The deal with LG.Philips will enable the Syntax Olevia line to carry large-size LCD-TV products including the 32W-inch, 37W-inch and 42W-inch screen sizes and will eventually include 47W-inch and 55W-inch units, said James Li, Syntax Groups’ CEO.
At International CES, the company released sales figures showing it shipped over 97,000 LCD TV units to retailers since its launch in April 2004. Syntax claims that it achieved a position in the top five U.S. LCD TV vendors last year.
“Sales during the hot Q4 ’04 holiday buying season accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total units, indicating strong consumer demand for the unique value that Syntax’s Olevia brand brings to the digital living market,” the company said.
The company said that during the first half of 2005 it will deliver Olevia LCD TVs ranging from “space-efficient” 20-inch units to several models with Super In Plane Switching (Super-IPS) technology from LG.Philips LCD.
New Olevia 20-inch LCD TVs (models LT20S and LT20SD) feature 500:1 contrast ratios, 800 by 600 resolution, 12ms response times, VGA and component inputs. The LT20SD ($549 suggested retail) adds a built-in DVD player.
Syntax also unveiled a new 26W-inch HDTV-ready Olevia LCD TV — model LT26HVE ($899 suggested retail) — featuring a high black bezel design, 1,280 by 768 resolution, 750:1 contrast ratio, 700 cd/m2 brightness, a wide 170/170 viewing angle, 12ms response time and 15:9 aspect ratio. Inputs include HDCP DVI, VGA and component video. It also includes a built-in NTSC tuner.
New high-end Super-IPS based Olevia LCD TVs include a 32W-inch HDTV monitor in the Olevia LT32HVE ($2,199 suggested retail). The unit features 1,366 by 768 resolution, 8ms response time, 16:9 aspect ratio and VGA and component inputs.
Syntax will also add its first 1,080p, HD-compatible 37W-inch LT37HVDP ($3,299 suggested retail) and 42W-inch LT42HVE ($4,499 suggested retail) fully integrated HDTV sets. The models will feature 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, 1,200:1 dynamic contrast ratios, 8ms response times and built-in ATSC tuners. Also planned are the 37W-inch LT37HVD ($2,999 suggested retail) and 42W-inch LT42HVE ($3,999 suggested) models with 1,366 by 768 resolution.
Syntax also showed at CES a 61W-inch LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) rear-projection microdisplay HDTV featuring 1,080p resolution, 1,500:1 contrast ratio and over 1,000 nits of brightness. That unit will carry a $4,499 suggested retail.
Syntax also announced it will add its Colossus Media Center Home Theater PC System Series that combines audio and video playback.
The Media Center is based on the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OS, and will enable music downloads and playback, online movie rentals, photo viewing, editing and sharing, e-mail, instant messaging and Web browsing.
Currently, Syntax is shipping Super-IPS-based Olevia 32W-inch (LT32HV, $1,999) and 37W-inch (LT37HV, $2,999) LCD TVs.
In rear-projection, Syntax is offering an Olevia 50W-inch LCoS projection TV, which is currently priced at a $2,099 suggested retail.
The LT32HV and LT37HV feature 176-degree expanded viewing angles, 1,200:1 high contrast ratios and resolution of 1,366 by 768 (WXGA). They also feature 8ms response times, 800 cd/m2 high brightness, 16:9 cinema-style widescreen aspect ratio with automatic progressive scan, 3D comb filter and 3:2 pull-down, the company said.
Syntax’s Olevia 50W-inch LCoS RPTV incorporates a three-panel subsystem (RGB) with 1,388 by 780 native resolution (1,920 by 1,200 under DVI, and 1,280 by 1,024 under VGA); 16:9 aspect ratio; a 1,000:1 contrast ratio; 1,000 nits brightness with preset and adjustable modes; progressive scanning; 3:2 pull-down; a wide 170/170 horizontal viewing angle; and DVI/HDCP inputs.
