Anyone ever hear of this TV? It's available for a good price all over the place and I read some very nice user reviews on one retail site but I can't find out much serious info about it. It's tempting!

http://img318.imageshack.us/img318/74/n2233200main26tk.jpg

Niko 32" LCD TV
NIKO New Vision OTP-3211W 32" HDTV-LCD features advanced image enhancement technologies that deliver stunning television and video entertainment. Intense color, high contrast images, 1366x768 resolution, and powerful 10-watt stereo speakers with virtual surround sound capability immerse you in the action. Integrated connections give you versatile HD* TV compatibility regardless of your HD signal source. Connect all your multemedia componentm HD set-top boxes, game consoles, VCR, DVD players and more. The OTP-3211W offers DVI/HDCP (high-definition content protection) capability ensuring long-term compatibility with evolving technology.

Specifications

Display Area 32"

Contrast Ratio 800:1

Pixel Pitch 0.51075 x 0.51075 mm

Resolution 1366 x 768

Input Video Signal NTSC

Compatibility VESA (200 mm X 200 mm)
VESA (100 mm X 100 mm)

Inputs 15 pin D-Sub
RCA
DVI-HDCP
DVI-D
S-Video

Power Consumption 210W

Unit Dimensions (WxHxD) 32.2" x 24.3" x 8.2"

Unit Weight 51 lbs.

Features

* High Resolution TV and PC
* HDTV Ready*
* Grade A+ LCD panel
* 800:1 high contrast ratio(1000:1 Dynamic)
* 500 nits high brightness
* 22ms fast response time(11ms gray to gray)
* Motion Adaptive 3D Digital Comb Filiter
* 170/170 degree super wide viewing angles
* Multiple video and audio input/output
* Dynamic Adaptive Smoothing Filter
* Dynamic Temporal Fram-Filerting Noise Reduction
* Dynamic Motion and Edge Adaptive De-interlacing
* Supports analog and digital
* Hi-Fi Surround Sound Speakers
* Multiple Language Option
* Resoulation Support 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
* Progressive Scan video display
* Wall mount available, VESA100, VESA200
* Light weight, sleek design

No one, eh? I'm not gonna risk it, then.

It will be delivered tommorow (Wed). I could find nothing about this unit or this company, but the price (with buy.com $110 off coupon) was unbelievable (<700) for this much real estate. Hopefully the pq will be acceptable 'till I can get a Panny 50" plasma and then I'll hang this in the bedroom.
Today at CC I bought a Panasonic DVD Player (DVD-S29S) and an Onkyo Receiver (TX-SR503) for practically nothing after rebates and a 10% off coupon.
Last month I ordered Infinity Primus speakers from Vann's (4-150's, 2-160's, center and a 10" sub) at a <i>huge</i> (almost 50%) discount over CC.
Katrina wiped us out down here in New Orleans and we lost everything in our house, so I was on a tight budget (try replacing everything you own!). I feel pretty good about this setup for under $1600.
I'll get my HD box in a couple of days and I'll post my review on the Niko OTP-3211W.

excellent! keep us posted and feel free to post photos of the set up. Sorry about Katrina, though. But it sounds like you're moving on.

22 ms response isn't really considered "fast", is it?

It will be delivered tommorow (Wed). I could find nothing about this unit or this company, but the price (with buy.com $110 off coupon) was unbelievable (<700) for this much real estate. Hopefully the pq will be acceptable 'till I can get a Panny 50" plasma and then I'll hang this in the bedroom.
Today at CC I bought a Panasonic DVD Player (DVD-S29S) and an Onkyo Receiver (TX-SR503) for practically nothing after rebates and a 10% off coupon.
Last month I ordered Infinity Primus speakers from Vann's (4-150's, 2-160's, center and a 10" sub) at a <i>huge</i> (almost 50%) discount over CC.
Katrina wiped us out down here in New Orleans and we lost everything in our house, so I was on a tight budget (try replacing everything you own!). I feel pretty good about this setup for under $1600.
I'll get my HD box in a couple of days and I'll post my review on the Niko OTP-3211W.


you have a link for that coupon code

thanks

The buy.com coupon was e-mailed to me and was good for one use only.
FedEx just delivered the tv. I'll give you guys my initial impression of it tonight, but it'll be a few days before I get my HD box.

I have to admit I was concerned about analog pq on a unit this cheap. Less than half what you would expect to pay at one of the big boxes. I've read sooo much about bad black levels and ghosting on these cheap lcd's. I knew HD would look great, but most my viewing will still be in SD for the foreseeable future. I pulled the tv out of the box and plugged regular old analog cable running out of an old vcr into the back. Did not hook up the progressive scan Panny DVD yet. No cable box yet. I'm just hoping the pq will be decent enough to live with for a year or so......I'm not too picky, maybe a little cheap, but....too cheap to pass up......I'm not an audiophile, just OK will be good enough for now....new shooter cummin' out...baby needs new shoes....7-11...7-11 yo, baby, yo......no craps, no craps.....ten dollar any craps just in case......I can't believe I bought a cheap crappy tv that nobody has ever seen or even heard of before...no returns....I gotta' quit droppin' purple haze late at night with a credit card and a computer around....what was I thinkin....will my therapist say this is gambling and make me go back to step 2 or 3.......at this price point I can always throw it away in a couple of years or hang it on a wall in a room that no one ever goes in and it will still look way cool hanging on the wall if no one turns it on......I can hear her mocking laughter now..... Powered up the unit and.........


BAMMMM!! I'M STUNNED!! More than I could've ever hoped for. I think I'll order another. No adjustments right out of the box and it looks wonderful! Analog SD looks great! I'm a good person after all.....I'm NOT a loser......What? Mom, is that you? I feel as high as Ricky Williams right now..... Who says you get what you pay for? I paid diddly for this set and I'm as thilled as MJ at three-for-one-kids-under-ten day at the zoo.....Disposable, excellent pq sets are here!!!

I will post again when I get HD.

Too wise

Wow, that looks good in the pictures. Does it make any humming noise? If it looks good on SD, it must look excellent on SD through component or HD...

I'd sure like to hear some more reviews or details before the rebate expires in a couple days... anyone?? HD??

Hi Guys,

Is there a website of this company, Niko? Have you guys come across any more reviews anywhere?

Though the deal looks tempting , I am a bit paranoid about new company, the fact that one cannot return...its still a lot of money.. :rolleyes:

Wow, that looks good in the pictures. Does it make any humming noise? If it looks good on SD, it must look excellent on SD through component or HD...
No humming. The unit also has PIP. The swivel base is great. I highly recommend.

hey all long time lurker, first time poster.....saw this deal @ Tigerdirect for CHEAP and wanted to find out more b4 I dropped some loot.......did a bunch of searching but finally found Niko's homepage:
nikotronics

Oh and here's the deal I found at TD:

tigerdirect/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1646804&CatId=386
looks like they raised the price $50.00 since I last checked it(probably really popular)


I am considering getting this one or the refurb Philips 30PF9946D/37B from their outlet....anyone have any opinions on this one too?

Both are are roughly same $$$ after Niko's rebate but Philips is a much more trustworthy brand....

Downside is I'll be losing 2" if I go with the Philips.:(......



Contrary to popular belief.....BIGGER is ALWAYS BETTER! lol

sorry, I tries to post the links but I had to have 5 post or more lol so you have to add the w's and dot's to the nikotronics and tigerdirect links

OH and here's the specs for that Philips.......


30PF9946D/37B

PRODUCT FEATURES

Enhanced video performance

* Latest High Definition LCD display technology, resolution 1280 x 768p
* Digital motion compensation with Film Mode for sharp motion reproduction
* Active Control™ Plus+ with light sensor continually optimizes the best picture settings
* Integrated tuner that eliminates an external e-box

Stylish design

* Quality finish and matching design
* So slim you can mount it on your wall

Impressive sound

* Compact integrated stereo speaker system
* Virtual Dolby Surround that enhances your sound experience

Advanced connectivity

* The most modern and highest quality HDMI connectivity


SPECIFICATIONS

PDF Product Specifications Sheet (PDF)

Picture
Screen size : 30" (76 cm)
Visible screen size : 30" (76 cm)
Aspect ratio : Widescreen 16:9
Display : LCD Active Matrix TFT
Response Time LCD : <16 tbc
Resolution WXGA : 1280 x 768p
Brightness : 600 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio : 600:1
Viewing Angle : 170 H/170 V
Anti-Aging Circuit
Anti Reflex Coated Screen
Digital Crystal Clear
Progressive Scan
3/2 - 2/2 Motion Pulldown
Active Control Plus+ with Light Sensor

Sound
Sound Power : 2x15 W RMS
Virtual Dolby Surround
2 On Board Speakers

Ease of Use
Plug & Play
100 preset channels
Autostore
Fine Tuning/Sorting
Top Controls
RC4334 (for DVD/DVD-R)
Smart Picture Control : Soft, Natural, Rich, Multimedia, Personal
Smart Sound Control : Movie, Speech, Music, Personal
Smart Listening
Dual I-II
6 Widescreen modes : 4:3, Zoom 14:9, Zoom 16:9, Subtitle Zoom, Super Zoom, Widescreen, Fullscreen
Wake Up Clock
Smart Clock
SleepTimer (up to 240 min.)
Smart Lock (Child Lock + Parental Mode)
Screen Saver Digital Clock Display

Connections
AV1 : CVBS, Audio L/R
AV2 : CVBS, Y/C, Audio L/R
AV3 : CVBS, Audio L/R
YPbPr in : YPbPr, Audio L/R
DVI in
Monitor Out : CVBS, Audio L/R
Side : CVBS,Y/C,Audio L/R, Headphone

Information
10 page Smart Text
Program Information Line
Picture In Graphics : Video windows in PC mode

Reception
Tuning System : PLL Digital Tuning
Tuner : VHF, UHF, S-Channel, Hyperband
Aerial Input : 75 Ohm Coaxial (F-type)
TV System : NTSC
Video Playback : NTSC

Supported Display Resolutions
VGA : 640 x 480 (60, 72, 75, 85Hz)
VGA : 720 x 400 (70, 85Hz)
VGA : 640 x 350 (70, 85Hz)
MAC : 640 x 480 (66.67)
MAC : 832 x 624 (74.55)
SVGA : 800 x 600 (56, 60, 72, 75, 85Hz)
XGA : 1024 x 768 (60, 70, 75, 85Hz)
WXGA : 1280 x 768 (60, 75Hz)

Miscellaneous
Ambient temperature +5/+40°C
Mains : AC 110-120V, 60Hz
Power Consumption : Normal Operation 185W, Stand by <2W(tbc)
Set Weight : +/-39.7 lbs.
Weight Incl. Packaging : +/-66.1 lbs
Set Dimension (WxHxD) : 35.3"W x 26.3"H x 9.4"D
Box Dimension (WxHxD) : 37.5"D x 26.3"H x 9.4"D
VGA to YPbPr conversion cable included
Mini-jack to CVBS-audio L/R cable included
TV Color : Silver Frost (11027)
Wall Mounting Brackets
Designer Table Top Stand included

I was looking for a HDTV that can function well as both a computer monitor and OK as a HD/SD TV IN the family room, not just in my office- it would be for my learning exercise in building a HTPC system so i wanted cheap, lots of input connectors, digital of course, but PQ had to be ok, better than CRT for sure but great PQ can wait till there is more real HT broadcasting/downloads and prices come down more.

This seemed to fit the bill, but I hesitate to buy it till I read more reviews and detailed specs. ( user manual anyone?). There seems to be paucity of reviews and the info at the website at nikotronic is woefully inadequate.

Please keep telling us how its working out for you.

I could be wrong but I feel like CRT is pretty much still the gold standard in PQ. It's just the real estate that makes it less attractive than LCD.

That said, I'm soooo tempted to pull the trigger on this machine.

Rebate expires tomorrow. Anyone have anymore input? Are we going to start seeing 32" LCD for this price now anyways or no?

Maybe not starting this week but there's no doubt that those displays are coming down in price. That's the one thing that's holding me back from saying "hell with it" and getting the Niko. I can probably be patient and get a name brand with more reliable warrantee and return olicy for the same price in a few months. At the latest, by xmas. No insider info, but that's the way this all seems to be going. Remember, a couple of years ago all you could get was a 42" plasma for $8000.

22ms scares me as most sets are below 12 these days...I only see 22ms in the lower quality pc monitors..Didnt Niko use to make game peripherals?

I hope you dont plan on doing any gaming...

Well I pulled the trigger - my feeling was that because this Niko model don't have a HDTV tuner( ATSC?) then these aren't selling so well so they are clearing the decks for something with a tuner - so with the rebate expiry looming I bought. I'll give feedback as things develop.

RE: CRT is gold standard for PQ - my only side by side comparison of SDTV on LCD v SDTV on CRT has been in BestBuy and CircuitCity ( I get the sales people to switch over to BBC America ) and yup, CRT clearly outscores ! People in here and other forums say that CC BB set up their TVs really horribly so perhaps that plays into it.. In any case, the highest quality input for my CRT TV is RCA composite so that's what the LCD has to beat ! I'll be following some of the Guides in here to do the set up.

I did read that LCD panel production is really increasing and the prices will drop by 1/2 by Xmas - so I'll wait till them for the bigger and better TV.

-K

The response time for gray to gray is 11 according to Niko which is what alot of manufacturers claim so its pretty normal.

It seems the price dropped a little as well. I'm going to pull the trigger. Going to use the TigerDirect card for the no interest for 6 months option.


Anyone that has the TV at home, does it weight less then 40 lbs without the stand? It says 51 with stand.

Looks like the rebate was extended til 3/31 to clear out stock.

Anyone else that gets one, let me know how it works out.

Got my HD dvr and, as expected, the HD picture is wonderful. You won't be able to tell by these pics I posted, they don't look any better than the SD pics above, but believe me, HD looks great and I am more than satisfied. Can't find anything not to like about this tv.

One thing, this is my first HD unit and maybe this is normal, but the major network HD channels (abc & nbc) don't fill the whole screen, they are stuck in 4:3. All the other HD channels are in 16:9 and the SD channels will stretch to 16:9, but primetime HD network shows are all 4:3. Is this the way it's supposed to be? Anyone?

My Hitachi 51" Projection does the same thing with the major networks, so I would say its normal.

Well I pulled the trigger - my feeling was that because this Niko model don't have a HDTV tuner( ATSC?) then these aren't selling so well so they are clearing the decks for something with a tuner - so with the rebate expiry looming I bought. I'll give feedback as things develop.

RE: CRT is gold standard for PQ - my only side by side comparison of SDTV on LCD v SDTV on CRT has been in BestBuy and CircuitCity ( I get the sales people to switch over to BBC America ) and yup, CRT clearly outscores ! People in here and other forums say that CC BB set up their TVs really horribly so perhaps that plays into it.. In any case, the highest quality input for my CRT TV is RCA composite so that's what the LCD has to beat ! I'll be following some of the Guides in here to do the set up.

I did read that LCD panel production is really increasing and the prices will drop by 1/2 by Xmas - so I'll wait till them for the bigger and better TV.

-K

Yeah that could be the reason or they are a smaller company at the moment. I ordered a Syntax for $699 from TD with their 6 month no interest option and like 4 weeks later a new model was pushed out w/ an ATSC tuner....But the quality is superb and it rivals most major brands....But on a side note and a little hint, a lot of lcd televisions panels come from the same manufacturer...My Syntax came from the same place Philips/LG gets their panels from....IMO though my LCD beats CRT completely and I have had both sets w/ hd features but I like the LCD better...

yy4u-Because the broadcast isnt TRULY in HD.....

This deal seems almost too good to be true. Anyone have any negative experiences with this Niko? yv4u -- still very happy?

Only downside I can see is the lack of the HDMI input. And the slow 22 ms response time but I am not as concerned about that. Any other issues anyone has noticed with the specs on this?

What would a person do to use component outs? I have the component cables for the PS2 and would probably be using those. Would I need an adaptor?

yy4u, would you mind posting pics of the inputs or of other parts of the build, so we can see the construction of the thing? Thanks!

Edit: oh lord, I just noticed the Motorola 6412 DVR in the pic. God, I hate that machine. It's the worst! See the thread on it here for looooots of info on that POS.

Finally about to order one. Was wondering, anybody using the Motorola Comcast HD hardware? I'm hoping the Comcast remote will be able to control the TV as well so I dont need to use the cheap looking Niko remote.

Well, I went ahead and decided to order the Niko OTP-3211W from TigerDirect. I couldn't pass up the deal and this will be my first HDTV. I will provide my input on what I think about the unit after I have had a chance to play with it. If you go to Tigerdirects website and look at the reviews on this product, there are 4 reviews and they are all on the positive side. It is suppose to be here today. Cheers.

I found this model online and thought that there must be a catch for the price I was seeing. Then I searched this Forum and found this Topic. On the strength of the reports in this Topic, I purchased one. So far I'm not disappointed. In fact quite the opposite. I have it connected to one of my six Gran Turismo 4 setups, and even at 480i the picture is stunningly clear. At 1080i it's quite impressive indeed. After buying it I walked into a Best Buy to check out similar-sized LCD HDTV's and first saw a 23" for $1100, then a 26" for over $1500 . . . gave up at that point, here's what mine cost me, from Buy.com:

[EDIT]

although I haven't sent in the Rebate Form yet. I ordered it on a Sunday night (really Monday morning early), and it arrived that Thursday.

Oops. Just read that I am not supposed to mention prices. Oh well, you guys can find them out as easily as I did.

Funny, we have no problem with mentioning prices in the DVD Recorders Forums (where I usually post). I wonder what the difference is?

I'm looking for a cheap lcd for my xbox 360. Has anyone used this for gaming. I want to pull the trigger, but the 22ms response time scares me. I'm afraid of ghost..ing

Has anyone used this for gaming.Two posts up from yours:I have it connected to one of my six Gran Turismo 4 setups,...

Can other remotes control this TV? I know there arent any Niko codes yet.

I can't answer that. I don't even use the remote it came with. I use the power button on the TV itself, and it just stays on AV1 input, I may adjust the volume using the buttons on the TV itself.

For those who own this, I'm curious what you think of the built in speakers? Also any noticeable issues because of the relatively slow response time (22 ms)?

Someone else said if Phase is turned way down the response time is no issue...

I also heard sound was decent.

I'm debating between this and the Polaroid FLM-3232 at Circuit City. Its only 150 with a 10% off coupon, not counting this rebate of course. Don't know what to do.

It was waiting for me when I got home late last night and I've spent most of this evening putting it thru its paces. My initial views:
-they don't provide too many cables at all; just the RCA and a pushfit RF one( which is useless in the USofA ). So be ready to go out and get the VGA-D, DVI, S-Video and screwfit antenna cables. I've test it connected to a DISH standard Definition receiver and to my HTPC.
I used all 3 outputs from the DISH receiver and quite honestly the RCA composite gives the best picture from a watchability viewpoint, followed by the RF antennae connector with the S-Video coming in last ! The better the signal quality, the more grainy the picture and at 5 ft away that is not a good thing. So paradoxically, the worse quality signal gives the better picture. The black columns in 4:3 mode are black enough - its quite quite ok - doesn't distract or get in the way. Sound is fine though I haven't paid too much attention to that yet.

I seemed to notice some lag ( the 22ms response time perhaps) when watching the talking heads on Fox News Channel, when the talking head moved the heads around - But watching the Nuggets game I didn't detect anything, nor when I watched SpiderMan in those swinging in the middle of street sequences. Not sure what this means yet - yeah maybe I should quit watching FNC.

I connected it to my HTPC via the DVI connector and played back DVD's from my DVD player and as folders on the HD. I also played back divX and xVIDs of various resolutions from the HD and across the wireless network from another PC's HD. The objective all the time was to FILL the screen, maintaining the aspect ratio and the quality. This last aspect is important given the high resolution of the HDTV. I made liberal use of Nvidia driver's capabilities in definited custom resolutions and this is needed since the Niko has just the one resolution. But by changing the resolutions in the Driver, and customising Zoom Player options and fiddling fftshow's parameters, especially in noise reduction I got really quite decent visual experiences.

This has worked out really very well. I haven't quite got the component inputs working yet - it all played in a blue, almost "black and white" hue but its probably something I'm doing wrong.


O yeah, as a computer monitor, this thing ROCKS- it behaves exactly like a regular monitor - no overscan, underscan, fuzzy letters ( like you get with analog TV-out). If the wife gets fed up with it, this is going back in my office as my 32" monitor; but that's unlikely - Its already passed the wife test and gets installed in the family room tomorrow.
-K

Its only 150 with a 10% off coupon, not counting this rebate of course.Go easy on the price-mentioning, I had my post "moderated" because I mentioned what I paid for mine. "MSRP only" in this Forum it seems.

I'm about to buy this.. but only have one question.

Does the Niko have any light leak? I dont mind some around the borders... but corner light leak bugs the hell out of me! They look like little spot lights coming out from the corners.

I owned one for 3 days and I see none. You are good on that aspect.
-K

Kielige, did you figure out the component blue color thing?

How do you think this look compared to ones you've seen at the store? Are the colors crisp or do you feel they are a little pale?

I decided to buy one of these as a second TV. I ordered on Monday and it arrived on Thursday.

It seems to be a absolute bargain. I have tried C Band 4dtv SD through Composite, Svideo and upconverted component. All looked quite acceptable. I also tried 4DTV HD through component and it looks excellent. I tried Dish HD through component and DVI and it also looks excellent. OTA digital looks excellent. Obviously the better the signal the better the picture.

I tried DVD through a JVC 480p player and it looked great for DVD. I also tried the DVI hookup from a HTPC with theatertek and powerstrip upconverted to 1366x768. Again it looked great.

I am watching at a distance of 7 feet. It is also very bright. It has a ton of inputs.

The only potential downside is reliability and being able to get it fixed if it does break.

It is not the greatest TV I have ever seen but considering the price it is a bargain.

Photos of the Niko on TD's website look very similar to those of the Norcent LT-3222 at buy.com.

[EDIT]

[EDIT]

Well indeed they are the same at least externally, not counting the color differences. When I first looked into the two models (I also noticed the similarity) I discounted the possibility because of the pixel pictch being different (0.051mm versus 0.52mm). So maybe they have a slightly different LCD panel inside. But, those pictures of the back of the Norcent, and the connections and so forth, a perfect match, right down to the two lower rear speakers, upper round ventilation hole, and two handles at the top for picking it up.

(Man that Woodrow guy is on top of it. Hopefully some day I find out why such retail links are not allowed.)

Kielige, did you figure out the component blue color thing?

How do you think this look compared to ones you've seen at the store? Are the colors crisp or do you fee are a little pale?

I thought I answered this earlier on today but the answer no longer exists. Anyway, I'm using component inputs from the DVD ( oppodigital) into the Niko LCD TV and it looks really perfectly OK. So my prior problem must be something to do with my HTPC component video outputs.

In that same vein, I was wrong about watchability inputs. The TV has been in the family room for 2 days now and the wife and I agree - S-Video is clearly the best - at 11 feet - you'll recall that my previous comments were based on viewing it from 5 feet or less away. From a 11 feet distance S-Video is really very good. ( I actually measure the distances so my numbers are accurate - no bs. )

I am impressed with this TV. It has the price / quality metric that I value.

-K

Does this TV have an option where you can "manipulate" the picture. Like make a 4:3 picture slighly bigger or even 16:9. If so how does it look when you do this?

on my HT projector I can make a 4:3 picture almost as big as 16/9. it makes the image bigger but it does not look distorted. its probably like 14:9 or something to that effect. I thinks its called theater 1 mode, there's also theater 2 and wide mode for stretching the 4:3 image, but these look distorted
.
thanks!!

(Man that Woodrow guy is on top of it. Hopefully some day I find out why such retail links are not allowed.)

Wow, only two minutes! He is quick. That may be a new record.

Does this TV have an option where you can "manipulate" the picture. Like make a 4:3 picture slighly bigger or even 16:9. If so how does it look when you do this?

on my HT projector I can make a 4:3 picture almost as big as 16/9. it makes the image bigger but it does not look distorted. its probably like 14:9 or something to that effect. I thinks its called theater 1 mode, there's also theater 2 and wide mode for stretching the 4:3 image, but these look distorted.From the User Manual: View Mode Functions (pp 30):

"Your LCD TV has four different view modes:

- 4:3: Will display a 4:3 input picture at its standard size without any stretching. Black stripes will be visible down the left and right sides of the picture.

- Panorama: (4:3 stretch): This mode is for 4:3 input picture. The picture is progressively stretched from the center third of the screen outwards to the edges.

- 16:9: (Full screen): Displays the picture at full screen with linear scaling.

- Cinema: (Letterbox): This is useful for simulated 16:9 format from DVD Player."

Sounds like Panorama is the mode you're after.

After 3 weeks still thrilled with the set. HD sports in particular. Got my new cables in from Monoprice. Component and digital optical from the DVR to the Onkyo. DVI from the DVR to the Niko. Panny DVD into Onkyo via component & digital coaxial. Component from Onkyo to Niko. Cable splitter from the wall into the DVR and directly into the Niko. Can watch PIP using DVI and the Niko tuner. I'm happy as a clam.
I don't use the Niko speakers very often, but was suprised they sound great.
One thing about lcd tvs: Black levels in movies aren't great, but sports are spectacular. NBA games incredible. I haven't mentioned black levels to my wife and daughter and they haven't said anything but how great it is. But after reading these forums I sit there (quitely) noticing the poor black levels while watching movies. Not just this tv, but all the lcd's I've looked at. I'll keep the wife in the dark about black levels 'till I'm ready to buy a 50" plasma, then I'll explain to her why this needs to go on the bedroom wall. But overall I'm VERY pleased with the tv.
Other than HD, the best picture is watching directly through the Niko tuner and bypassing the DVR altogether. This is good because when I hang it in the bedroom I will just be running analog cable to the set with no box and it looks really good. I don't see any difference watching via component or DVI, but DVI is good to be able to use the PIP feature.
I haven't used the set for a computer monitor. We've got a wireless router and $400 laptops (after rebates, damn I'm a cheap bastard) all over the house.
On a side note: Using the digital audio output from the DVR into the Onkyo lets me hear true 7.1 Dolby through the 8 new Infinity speakers. I'm 50 years old and watched MTV HD all night and I still can't get over how great the sound is. I remember hooking up MTV to my stereo in '82 and thinking it could never get any better! Wow, this is way cool. But what the hell is "my humps. my humps, my humps" all about? Which set of lady humps is she singing about? Huh?

They're lovely lady humps.

[QUOTE]We've got a wireless router and $400 laptops (after rebates, damn I'm a cheap bastard) all over the house.

Dang, I recently got a $500 laptop (after rebate) and I thought I was the king of cheap bastards.
But...
I got an ED plasma - hah - so you canNOT outcheap me!

Just recieved my Niko today. Tiger is fast! The TV was double boxed... it was packed in like a tank, great packing.

I will post my review tonight!

Initially, the TV does not look as "Cheapo" as it does in the pictures, infact looks like it was put together quite nicely.. The remote is better than the pictures make it look... its still kinda cheapy... but its really not that bad.

Overall it looks great for the money spent. I will submit a review once I get a change to mess with it tonight.

Please do submit your review! :)

From the User Manual: View Mode Functions (pp 30):

"Your LCD TV has four different view modes:


Just to be pedantic, it also has a auto mode - where I guess it chooses the mode. Also I noticed that when watching movies off the HTPC - Titanic, it would not allow me to change mode to all 4. I forget which ones it wouldn't allow ( I was watching a good movie after all, not really testing the TV) but it definitely restricted me.

You can really see the effect of panoramic mode, when you look at the news ticker on, say, Fox News Channel. The crawling text has a weird "in and out" look. Quite amusing.

I tried to play stuff from the HTPC that's reputed to be HD - Desperate Housewives and 2 different trailers for the new X Men movie - purely for test purposes. 2 of the 3 weren't HD at all - by which I mean there were 480 or 5xx something, not 720p or 1080i (I've yet to get to grips with the bit rate issue) - and the 720p Xmen was only played via an QuickTime Direct-X control which may be an issue. At any rate, it all looked very good - there must be SOME compromises being made by Niko - if the product comes in at this price - but I'm not knowledgeable enough to see them - yet anyway.

-K

Yep, I noticed that last night as I was going through the modes on the TV to see what they looked like.

Ooookay,

Got it all setup with my Xbox 360, Cable DVR Box, and Computer.

First thing. Right out of the box the picture needed very little adjustment... and it was bright! Colors were great, black levels are very decent. Granted you will never find Bravia blacks for this price point (Note, I thought the blacks on this were much better than the Westinghouse 32") ;). One dead pixel on the far right side... you can only see it when you're right up next to the screen.

Tons of inputs!!! lord does this have inputs! I dont think you will find problems hooking anything up to this thing!

Sound
Its OK... obviously not the best... but it gets the job done.

DVR Cable HD/SD
This TV handles SD content very well... much better than my Westinghouse 32" LCD. What once was fuzzy and washed out; is now bright and clear(er)! HD content through HDNET, Discovery HD Theatre... etc. Excellent! The picture is great! Absolute bargain for the price you pay! Next to the Westinghouse, Id give a nod to the Niko. SD and HD content, you wont be disappointed.

I cant tell you how impressed I'am with this TV... the picture is amazing for this price point! I only really wish it had Backlight adjustment... just seems like I could squeeze in darker blacks with this adjustment... but its not that big of a deal breaker. As far as light leak.. there really isnt any at all... just the black bars for 4:3 and DVD's with 16:9 arent terribly black... but enough that it doesnt impede on your viewing.

Xbox 360- Does it ghost!?
The answer is.............. NO! I played Call of Duty 2, Fight Night: R3, Burnout, and some Perfect Dark Zero. Not a single problem with ghosting. Colors were vibrant and the picture was sharp.

Games appeared on a dark side a bit.. but small adjustments here and there and it looked fine.

Computer
Works well, nothing amazing here.. its very clear and works great as a monitor, I may not sound too impressed here, but thats only because the 32" Westinghouse looks and works esentially the same as this one does. But if you have never gamed on a 32" monitor... well GO GET IT! What are you waiting for!?

It detected the monitor just fine, the 1360x760 looks just fine.. no smearing, clear and crisp.. if anything I thinkt he text is better than the Westinghouse.

Again, I think this is a bargain... I cant believe such a cheap TV could preform so well.

CONS:
Remote: Its not *that* bad.. but its still cheap.
Black level: while they arent terrible... I think a backlight adjustment could fix this.
Backlight adjustment: See above. There is none.
Picture adjustments: do not appear to be on a "per input" level... meaning they all share the same color, brightness, contrast settings across all inputs. This isnt a -HUGE- deal... but sometimes games can appear a bit too dark on the 360 and require some adjusting.
Ghosting in SD: <Edit> Forgot to add... This Im listing as a con only because some people may not have the component support for their cable boxes; There was some slight ghosting/smearing of images when the TV was hooked through COAX or Composite... S video and Component appeared with no smearing or ghosting at all.

Im currently at work right now, so I might have missed a few things.. if you have any questions feel free to ask!

Where's the headphone jack on this thing?

Regarding black levels, anyone who's seen both this set and the Polaroid FLM-3232 - how do they compare?

Along the bottom edge, left of center. Oriented upwards. Look for the little headphone logo, or feel for it. A less than convenient location/orientation. In fact I am going to have to get an extension with a less bulk connector body to be able to plug any of the headphones I have into it.

Kielige, did you figure out the component blue color thing?



I'm now using the component video as the input from my DVD player and there are no issues. I'm pretty sure I have an answer though. When I was checking the TV out as it arrived, I didn't have the DVI input cable so my HTPC was connected to the TV with component video and THAT(the HTPC) was the problem. Now the HTPC is connected with the DVI cable and there are no issues. Its highly likely its the way (I wouldn't call it a problem) the MSI K8NGM2-FID GeForce 6150 mobo - which is what the HTPC is based on - graphics outputs are configured by me ( or as it comes out of the box). The relevant thread in the anandtech forum on this motherboard describes the problem well - basically the same outputs work as both component and composite and if you don't tell the card which you want it assumes the worst. I haven't actually tried it out myself since I don't have the problem any more ( I will when I find time and report back ) but it sounds so, so right.

-K

I finally played something that's true HDTV - the classic "Alien Insect - Praying Mantis" which is in 720p. I know its 720p because this is off my HTPC and the GSPOT analysis says its 720p ! Wow ! That really shows off this LCD TV capabilities well.
-K

just want to add quickly to the positive reviews of the Niko, although I bought the 26" version...tons of inputs, 16ms response time, nice and bright, xlnt on comcast hd content, very good on sd content.

I'm interested in this tv, but I have a question for anyone who already owns one... Do the input buttons on the remote, such as av1 or av2 take you directly to the desired input? In other words, is there discreet input selection from the supplied remote? Thanks

If I get this I will use it as a computer monitor 75% of the time and a TV the other 25%. With the PIP, does it work if I have the computer using either the VGA or DVI and my DirecTV stb using either component or VGA?

Essentially what I am asking is does the PIP work if you use two inputs AND neither one is the NTSC tuner (which I won't be using).

I am still torn between getting this or the HP LC2600N (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=656973).

thanks,

Murray

one of PIP sources has to be sdtv. you can't choose DVI with VGA or DVI with component and etc...

i orderd the tv from tigerdirect 1 week ago and the tv arrived yesterday. when it arrived, the box was beaten up quite a bit by ups. grrr... when i opened it, the lcd looked pristine. i was still nervous that i would be stuck with a bunch of dead pixels. started up the xbox360 and not one dead pixel. whew.

the good

the HD picture looks great. granted, the sharp and sonys would look better but that would also be twice the price. my opinion is that the picture quality is ~90% of the sharps and sonys so this is a bargain. as for the ghosting, ghosting is in every display i've seen. i've accepted that ghosting is a fact of life. for this tv, the ghosting is above average(in a good way). on HD or DVD sources, it's insignificant(although i still notice it). i've hooked up the xbox360 thru VGA and played some GRAW and PGR3 and it looks damn beautiful. march madness on HDTV looks great too.

the bad

you can see the backlight when the scene is dark. it's a very very small portion of the corners of the tv but you can tell its there. i don't know if its just my set that has the problem. but to me this is easily ignorable. picture quality when it comes to SDTV is below average. on SDTV sources, the ghosting is prevalent. don't get this tv if you don't plan on watching mainly DVDs or HD.


i dont regret this purchase one bit. if you have a small room and mainly use HD or DVD sources, i definitely recommend this set especially for the price. keep in mind if you order that niko dead pixel policy is 8 or more pixels. if you get screwed with a few dead pixels, neither tigerdirect nor niko will do jack for you.

just bought the tv today and it will be delivered by friday
just to clarify ill be sitting about 5-10ft from the tv its big enought right
im using a Io cable box and remote- will it be able to control the tv with it
if i hook regular cable stright into it will it give me a good picture
i have a gamecube will that look good or should i keep that on my 19inch lcd
if you guys could answer these questions that would be great

I'm interested in this tv, but I have a question for anyone who already owns one... Do the input buttons on the remote, such as av1 or av2 take you directly to the desired input? In other words, is there discreet input selection from the supplied remote? Thanks
There are AV1, AV2, AV3, VGA, DVI, and TV buttons on the remote. And yes, they take you directly to the input implied by their name.

There are AV1, AV2, AV3, VGA, DVI, and TV buttons on the remote. And yes, they take you directly to the input implied by their name.
Thank you sir.

Can anyone comment on how fast this thing changes chanels? I will be using primarily for SD with built in tuner. I hate how some TVs take awhile to goto the next channel.

I havent tried changing channels with just the built in tuner, I will try that tonight for you. I normally just go through my Digital Cable Box.

Thanks. If it has a delay when changing channels thats going to push my away from this TV. Thanks

There is a slight delay when using the built-in tuner.

Yeah small delay... its nothing like 1000ms or anything... I dont think Id get pissed off waiting for my channels to change... its about as fast as my cable box.

It's faster than my cable box.

Has anyone wall mounted theirs? I already have a basic max 40 pound 100 x 100 mount I hope I can use.

Mine arrived a few days ago from tigerdirect and I have not found anything major to complain about this TV yet. well, the tv does not have a working remote control code which is just a minor inconvenience to me. The HD signal looks great on this TV as expected. The SD signal appears to be much much better than the 46" Sony HDTV out in the living room. I hooked up my XBOX for some Halo action and didn't notice any lag in movements at all (the graphics is awesome!!!!). Though i did notice a slight lag watching the talking head on one of those news channels as mentioned in a previous post but that was the only time that i saw. I have not seen the same issue in any other programs, yet. In all, I'm pretty happy with this purchase.

great tv that is for sure. i do however notice lage on showtime hd and hbohd. the 360 looks great on it.

When there is a working remote code can somone put it on the forem.

I got this tv about 3 weeks ago now. When looking for a TV, I was set on an LCD, and was debating between the 42" Spectre, 37" Westinghouse, and this one a while back. I needed an LCD because it was going to be used as a monitor more often than not, and I didnt want to worry about burn-in.

I decided to go for a cheaper screen, and, instead, spend the difference on revamping my livingroom that has been refered to as being "stuck in the 80s". I got this TV, a new entertainment system, a new sofa, new lamps, new tables, and new carpeting for about the same amount that I was going to spend on the Westinghouse 37".

My setup:

I have the following hooked up:
HD STB to AV1 via component
DVD player to AV2 via component
PS2 to AV4 via Component
HTPC to DVI
Laptop to VGA

All audio is hooked up to my preamp directly, so no audio on the TV. Not using built in tuner at all. Using a Harmony 520 Remote.

Things I like about it:

7 Video Inputs (AV1, AV2, AV3, AV4, VGA, DVI-HDCP, Tuner)

- AV1, AV2, and AV4 all have component. AV4 can also become an output instead if you want. I think they each also have composite and S-video input as well. This is PLENTY. I do wish I had another DVI or a HDMI, but what's provided is still better than many TV's out there.

Picture quality

- What can I say - Its very nice. SD could be better, but definitly good from a reasonable viewing distance. Progressive sources are amazing. (Maybe its the deinterlacer that isnt good? I havent tried 1080i so I don't know). From my DVD player, HTPC, STB, and PS2, colors are great, picture is bright, details are clear. All my friends that come over comment on its great sharpness when I'm in HD or PC input. Gaming on a 32" widescreen is amazing. I think there was a little lag when I first got it (Noticed via PS2 on a game that required good reaction response). I did turn the phase all the way down and I believe it eliminated it. (Not sure if this was the fix, or if it was psychological over time.) The phase is an undocumented setting, so I don't know what it does exactly. I have never noticed any lag on any other source. Response time seems as fast on the PC on the LCD TV as it ever has with my 2001FP.

Build quality

- This thing seems very well built. Some plasticky parts, but doesnt seem like anythings going to snap off of it.

Remote

- Yes the remote is kind of large and feels cheap. I'm not talking about the quality of the remote, as I dont use it. Its the way its controlled. I use my Harmony remote for this tv, and the Harmony software recognized this TV's controls after adding it as a device by the OTP-3211W name; I didnt have to teach the commands. I like how you go directly to inputs, instead of cycling. I like the one button aspect button for 3:4 content (Stretch/Panoramic stretch, or regular). The way it is controlled is good for a programmable remote.

Price

- Self explanatory

Things I don't like about it:


Remote Sensor

This is by far the most annoying thing about this tv. The sensor on this TV is dissapointing. There are IR sensors that pick up signals even when your remote isnt pointed at the tv at all..and then there's this sensor, which misses alot of commands, unless your pointed within a few degrees of the sensor. Once you keep this in mind and make sure you point the remote at the tv, its not that bad of an issue, but this is one issue you really cant work around unless you just don't use a remote.

Built in speakers

Now the integrated sound I had on for only a little bit when I first got it, but I was definitly not impressed. I have been spoiled by my 500w+ speaker systems, so maybe my standards are too high. I feel that anyone buying a LCD TV should be considering some 5.1 system as well, or at the least an external stereo system. No issue here, the volume on my TV is off and my devices are all hooked up to my preamp.

PIP

Only one HD PIP source. The other PIP must be SD. That means no DVI/VGA PIP. No Component/Component PIP. Only one PIP source can be Component, DVI, or VGA. I planned to do a bit of PIPing with the PC on DVI. I got around this by making redundant inputs for my STD and DVD source (Hooked them up via SVideo as well as Component, so it uses Svideo instead when PIPing with these sources). Quality is obviously lower when PIPing with an SVideo input, but at least I can get picture that way.

No direct selection for AV4

Ok this one is really picky, but theres no direct selection for AV4. There is AV1, AV2, AV3, and YbPbr. The "YbPbr" brings you to the next component input. I got around this by programming a "AV4" button on my remote, to have it first send the command for "AV3", then "YbPbr".

Color Scheme

Black + Matte Silver border doesnt really match with much. It doesnt clash with my black entertainment system, but doesnt flow either. This isn't that big of a concern though.

------------

This is a great screen to get into HD. Works amazingly as a computer monitor if you use it as a monitor from TV viewing distance. (I think 136*x768 res is about as high as I would go from 5+ feet away. Things would be too small at a higher res). Outside of what I mention above, theres nothing else really bad about it. Everyones been impressed so far, which is alot to say considering the price point its at. No regrets here, and if some new great tech comes out, or new TVs hit a low price, I can always retire this LCD to a wall somewhere else in the house.

I think there was a little lag when I first got it (Noticed via PS2 on a game that required good reaction response). I did turn the phase all the way down and I believe it eliminated it. (Not sure if this was the fix, or if it was psychological over time.) The phase is an undocumented setting, so I don't know what it does exactly.

Jon11582,
The only phase setting I can find is for VGA inputs (it says something about it in the manual ) - is that the one you mean ? and will setting that help S-Video or component or DVI input too ?

Thanks,
-K

can i hookup the cable directly to this and use one of those hd antennas or do i need to get another hd cable box?

just got this TV from TigerDirect, made the purchase obviously because of a really cheap price. the TV so far is performing very well, no dead pixels, cant really find anything really bad with it, havent hooked up my PC to it yet. so will keep you updated.

here are some bad things,
the remote control and the IR port really lag sometimes and sometimes you have to really point the control at the TV...a little annoying as im used to just clicking without having to worry about pointing..

in the manual for PIP it says when switching the audio source of the PIP press the AUDIO button..that would work, if there was an AUDIO button on the remote..can someone tell me how to switch audio source in PIP..

also, this TV does not respond to my Cable Box Remote Control, i tried to program it, but it does not work..so now i have to use 2 remotes to control the volume...i dont want to buy a Harmony since i only have a TV and a Cable Box...and XBOX..


anyway, will post more once i start gaming on it.

Just got mine about an hour ago from TigerDirect. Took about 10 minutes from box to hookup. Here are my impressions.

Shipping: 3 days

It is incredible!! No dead pixels. Picture is brilliant and crisp in SD without any manipulation. If yours is fuzzy, by sure to use only S-video connections. Surround Sound is pretty decent for TV speakers. This might be the deal of the year! Get one before Niko realizes their ripping themselves off!! LOL!!!!!

By the way, getting my HD hooked up on monday so will post my impressions of that later.

just watched Mindhunters in HD from Starz HD, and spotted some ghosting especially during the dark scenes, not too much..but still noticeable....i heard this is normal with most LCDs is this true?

Got my HD dvr and, as expected, the HD picture is wonderful. You won't be able to tell by these pics I posted, they don't look any better than the SD pics above, but believe me, HD looks great and I am more than satisfied. Can't find anything not to like about this tv.

One thing, this is my first HD unit and maybe this is normal, but the major network HD channels (abc & nbc) don't fill the whole screen, they are stuck in 4:3. All the other HD channels are in 16:9 and the SD channels will stretch to 16:9, but primetime HD network shows are all 4:3. Is this the way it's supposed to be? Anyone?
I dont know if I have a bad set or bad setup, I also have cable HD receiver. Especially close ups, I can see noticible distortions at times with head movements.
Some channels are fine, CNN, NBC,ABC, but with live broadcasts on like ESPN with real close ups there seems to be some slight discoloration and distortion. Is there any thing that can be done or is that just what you get in this T.V.. I've heard good responses about this TV so I'm thinking that it may just be my set up. I would greatly appreciate any help. You can email me directly at skynz71@yahoo

Thank You

You may want to determine if the signal is coming that way out of the HD box, or if the distortions are being introduced by the display. If you are connected via DVI or even Component Video, it's hard to imagine distortion being introduced by the display with that kind of quality connection. And the fact that it's not always there, some channels have it and some don't, leads me to suspect the HD box.

If you have another display you can watch the same signal that would help pinpoint the component responsible for the distortion. Don't forget to try different cables (for Component Video or less) too.

Well, first off let me just say the screen looks great from a dvd point of view, a 7 year old non - progressive scan player no less. I can't say the same about my satellite signal, however. I have the dish 2 tuner dvr box, not the hd one. Has anyone noticed faint vertical lines in the signal? They are more noticable on certain programs such as the news, for example. You can also see artifacts. The screen almost looks like an overcompressed jpeg file. The receiver is connected through s - video, the best it has to offer. Has anyone else been experiencing similar signal faults? Also, does anyone see this on sd channels on their dish hd box?

On the phase issue, apparently it is available only through the vga input. But, the menu does not pop up. I assume this has to do with the fact that i have nothing hooked up through the vga input? Why does the menu not come up?

Is the stand easily removable?

I'm recently bought the Niko OPT-3211W and i have it hooked up via S-video cable to my cable box. One one of the channels (WB) for some reason the screen keeps switching between 16:9 and panoramic view automatically and it does it every 10-30 seconds. Has anyone experienced this? What could possibly cause this to happen and only on one channel?

does anyone hear some humming from the display?? i have mine for 3 days and it makes a noticeable humm.. i try to ignore it but it's annoying.. any help will be great..

I just received my TV yesterday and, like most other posters, I'm quite delighted with it.

Two things that earlier posters haven't quite spelled out are the exact configuration of the input jacks and the various wide screen modes so I thought I would describe them in some detail for others. Neither Niko's own site nor any of the vendors who carry the unit seem to provide much detail in this respect. Inexplicably, Niko's specification page doesn't even mention component inputs! Anyway here's the input configuration:


AV1: S-Video, Composite Video, L/R Audio, Component Video (Y,Pb/Cb,Pr/Cr), Separate L/R Audio for Component
AV2: S-Video, Composite Video, L/R Audio, Component Video (Y,Pb/Cb,Pr/Cr), Separate L/R Audio for Component
AV3: Composite Video, L/R Audio. Note: can be reconfigured as an AV output using the menus. There are no component or S-video inputs.
AV4: S-Video, L/R Audio, Component Video (Y,Pb/Cb,Pr/Cr), Separate L/R Audio for Component. There is no composite input.
DVI: HDCP capable
VGA: Note: This appears to share a stereo audio input with DVI.
Coax: 75 Ohm, configurable for cable or over the air channels.

For some reason the component Video is described as YUV on the menus but it certainly supports the PbPr standard (according to Wikepedia it's not quite the same thing). Despite what the manual says, there's no button for AV4 on the remote, so if you have three inputs you'll probably use 1,2 and 3 (unless you want to use AV3 as an output or all are composite).

There are two separate audio outputs in addition to the AV3 input/output. Under the lower left of the bezel is the "secret" headphone jack mentioned earlier on the thread. This output is controlled by the volume and mute on the remote control and inserting headphones in this socket mutes the internal speakers. On the back is a line level output. With this in use, only the internal speakers are controlled by the volume control but the mute button affects both. This seems like a perfect combination.

There are four different video modes which merit some explanation.

4:3 This shows a standard format picture in the central 75% of the screen with black bars on each side.
16:9 This stretches the picture sideways by 33% to fill the screen. The whole picture is distorted and people are fattened.
Panoramic: As 16:9 except that only the edges of the picture are stretched to fill the screen. Faces is the middle are not distorted.
Cinema/Letterbox: The top 12.5% and the bottom 12.5% of the picture are chopped off to give a 16:9 picture which is expanded to fill the screen. This is the mode to use for letterbox DVDs or widescreen PBS programs on analog cable.

One earlier remark in this thread that I want to echo is Niko's excellent packaging. The outer sleeve was pretty beat up but when I removed this I found that it had done its job perfectly in protecting the inner box, and of course the TV itself.

Jstar41 asked about a humming noise when the TV is on, mine is completely silent so this is not something you have to put up with. I'd start by tracking down whether the hum goes away when you mute the sound then try disconnecting each audio input in turn to try to track down the problem.

Excellent writeup Kevin.

Yeah, no humming from mine either Jstar. Time to start tracking down the problem as Kevin suggests. That failing, Customer Service may be called for.

I finally broke down and bought one...it's definitely worth the price (unless you're going to rely heavily on OTA HD signals).

I have a question for other owners...

I am using this for 3 A/V sources. I have an nvidia 6600GT using the VGA input. An ATI radeon 9800 pro using the DVI->component adaptor as AV2 and a HD cable STB on AV1.

When I have the 6600GT at 1280x768 it fills the whole screen. The HD STB fills the whole screen (when viewing HD channels, of course). But I have been unable to find a resolution on the ATI that will fill the whole screen. Is this because it's using component output?

...in the manual for PIP it says when switching the audio source of the PIP press the AUDIO button..that would work, if there was an AUDIO button on the remote..can someone tell me how to switch audio source in PIP..



Just got mine today...still exploring. I have found that it's the "SAP" button that switches between audio sources in PIP mode.


While I'm here, can someone explain what "Auto Power On/Off" mode is??

Bought this LCD last week.

Extremely disappointed with it. The ghosting is just horrible, the picture is unwatchable if there's any significant movement at all. Trying to watch something like Discovery HD (or SD for that matter), gives me a headache. The picture stays fuzzy until the camera stops panning and then it sharpens up. Ugggh.

I've tried DVI, Component and RF inputs.

Truely surprised that no one else has seen this. Perhaps I have a defective unit.

The picture stays fuzzy until the camera stops panning and then it sharpens up.

Truely surprised that no one else has seen this. Perhaps I have a defective unit.

Actually, I have noticed the same thing with certain programs. In fact, the programs I notice it in most are on Discovery HD and PBS HD. I've seen a couple of HBO movies in HD and they were fine. I didn't notice any problems with UPN or NBC HD. I also use the display for Windows MCE and everything I've played on there seems normal. DVD's that are 16:9 look really good and have no blurring or motion issues.

I wish there was a way to tell what resolution was being used. Perhaps the 1080i programs have issues because of interpolation and interlacing combined? It's just a wild stab in the dark.

Anyone else have similar issues or theories on why this may be?

I have had this tv for almost a month. Picture quality for SD channels is not fantastic, but I read that many people with other types of lcds have had a crappy picture with SD. We came to an agreement that it's probably our content provider. DVDs look fantastic on it. Sound to me sounds pretty good all things considered. Any update on the codes for the remote? I am getting sick of using two remotes.

Also, is anyone using the dvi input to watch cable/satellite programming? I am curious as to its picture quality. Many people seem not able to distinguish between dvi/hdmi and component.

just want to add quickly to the positive reviews of the Niko, although I bought the 26" version...tons of inputs, 16ms response time, nice and bright, xlnt on comcast hd content, very good on sd content.

does this unit have tilt or height adjustments ?

does anyone hear some humming from the display?? i have mine for 3 days and it makes a noticeable humm.. i try to ignore it but it's annoying.. any help will be great..

Might that be the fan in that back that you hear? I'm not a fan of the fan in the bedroom :-(

I got mine from TD yesterday. Only hooked up DVI so far, HD content from Cox looks good. I did notice a lip sync issue a couple of times; it might have been me playing with audio controls on the cable box, but changing channels and changing back cleared that up.

I did notice that my old Sanyo remote on/off button turned the Niko on/off (I'll play with that as time permits).

does this unit have tilt or height adjustments ?

No, it only swivels.

I noticed the hum as well, but only the first few days. I probably got used to it now as I don't notice it anymore. On another note, does anyone have experience with this tv's scaler? Do you let it do its own scaling or do you usually allow your receiver do the work?

I've had this tv (from TD) for about 2 weeks now. SD is not very good, but I'm sitting only 6 feet away, so i definitely see the flaws in the picture. Ghosting is really annoying with sports programming (go Suns!). you see it most when there is not much contrast between hues and there is slow movement/panning. Taht being said... HD content via comcast is great. no ghosting at all with 1080i programming. Xbox using component cables (at 480p) is also great. no ghosting. best of all, i've used my new sony ns75h upscaling dvd player at 1080i, and the picture is absolutely phenomenal. I can watch LOTR dvds all day with this set up! Definitely worth the $$$ as long as most of your usage will be movies, gaming (and probably PC connecting), and watching HDTV content - which is what you should be using your 16:9 HDTV for anyhow!!! No regrets w/my purchase.

btw... no humming in my set as well. still waiting for my "rush" rebate return. should be processed this week.

I noticed the hum as well, but only the first few days. I probably got used to it now as I don't notice it anymore. On another note, does anyone have experience with this tv's scaler? Do you let it do its own scaling or do you usually allow your receiver do the work?

When I use the STB I usually have it on auto. If the program being viewed is exactly 16:9 but being transmitted in SD 4:3 mode I will use cinema. As long as it's a true 16:9 you won't lose any information, but you end up with a grainier picture due to the scaling. I have never found a use for panorama.

Using Windows MCE I don't have any choice at all (I'm using the ATI component adaptor), and it's always 16:9 (no matter what I set the switch to), which is quite annoying especially when it's "16:9 in 4:3". Does anyone have any MCE experience with this monitor using DVI or VGA? I really would like to be able to force cinema in the "16:9 in 4:3" cases.

Would the Acoustic Research Master Series MS298 DVI cable be recommended for this TV?

I've heard that it's quad-shielded and retails for only around $180.

Would the Acoustic Research Master Series MS298 DVI cable be recommended for this TV?

I've heard that it's quad-shielded and retails for only around $180.


your screen name is fitting. i use a $5 one from monoprice. =)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=488095

Right.

I'm checking out the Monoprice website right now.

But I won't discuss the prices tho.

Looks like we've struck the gold on this one.

You could almost FEEL the cheapness!

Mwu-haha... :D

monoprice is widely known on these boards as having quality cables for affordable prices. they do have higher end stuff if you feel the need to spend a bit more.

Is this the same manufactor that made great recievers back in the seventies because I still have the reciever from back then and it still works great . I remember that it was spelled Nikko maybe they just dropped a K but if it is there stuff is awesome because I have never had a problem with it and I got it when I was 16 and I'm now 44 so I bet that this Tv is a steal at that price and I bet if enough people buy them they will probably go up alittle. I would be interested if anyone know how long they have been around.

It seems as if the reviews have stopped flowing in about this lcd tv. I am personally not yet convinced on buying it due to some of the differences in opinion voiced on these forums about the Niko. My biggest concern is the ghosting which some people mention randomly, and others say it is really bad. I am curious about whether the people complaining are seeing it mainly on OTA crap that isnt worth watching anyway. I would like to hope that if I plug the Niko into an HD-DVD player or Xbox 360 that the image and ghosting would be perfect. I am personally debating between this model and a 32" Aquos that is on sale at CC. Difference in price by about 300 dollars, and I am unsure whether the Sharp justifies that cost.

Sans_abri the rebate people are legit I got mine 4 days after they received it. I agree that dvd material looks great, and thats from a 7 year old player without progressive scan. PS2 also looked good, no ghosting even with fast moving images. Am I the only one annoyed at the lack of remote control codes? Anyone have any info on these? I have looked online unsuccessfully. I sent them an email, waiting for a reply. Again, anyone looking at SD content through component/DVI inputs? My Dish network SD content does not look fantastic through S-video. I'de like people's input on this matter.

bmrowe my locals actually don't look that bad. The premium channels are better, but nothing like what dvds look like on this tv. I almost never see ghosting on any source, unless you use the RF connection which I doubt you will. Even the composite had practically no ghosting. Remember, all I watch at the moment is SD content through my satellite provider via s-video.

yeah junkie... i just got email confirmation from the onrebate guys (i rushed it), so all looks good.

bmrowe... i've only seen ghosting on some programming over regular SD... coaxial cable tv. It seems anything produced in 480p or higher resolution has no ghosting at all. Like i said, xbox play (halo2 at 480p) is flawless. HD content at 1080i is flawless. dvd's upconverted to 1080i is flawless. If you are afraid of ordering online, i'd go with the sharp aquos... altho for 50% more, you aren't getting much more other than peace of mind (and a B&M storefront if problems arise).

personally, i'm surprised at the rave reviews this TV is getting at TD. but it IS definitely worth its price.

No ghosting is impressive, since I have seen the response time quoted at both 22ms and 11 ms.... If I do pick up the TV it would certainly only be used with an HD-DVR, xbox 360 and hd-dvd player hooked up through component and dvi, respectively.... Maybe why I am worried is because I have seen the crap lcds at kmarts and targets and they scare me off. Also, how many dead pixels are people averaging, id like to hope none. Thanks for any input.

No ghosting is impressive, since I have seen the response time quoted at both 22ms and 11 ms.... If I do pick up the TV it would certainly only be used with an HD-DVR, xbox 360 and hd-dvd player hooked up through component and dvi, respectively.... Maybe why I am worried is because I have seen the crap lcds at kmarts and targets and they scare me off. Also, how many dead pixels are people averaging, id like to hope none. Thanks for any input.



If you're gonna be going strictly with HD stuff only, then you shouldn't have any ghosts to worry about.

And rest assured, this TV actually comes highly recommended for XBOX 360!

But yeah, stay the hell away from the crap that Kmart and Target tries to push.

Ever notice how their TVs are always like $300 more expensive than the competition?

Their products are all arse and the staff is all focked up!

No ghosting is impressive, since I have seen the response time quoted at both 22ms and 11 ms.... If I do pick up the TV it would certainly only be used with an HD-DVR, xbox 360 and hd-dvd player hooked up through component and dvi, respectively.... Maybe why I am worried is because I have seen the crap lcds at kmarts and targets and they scare me off. Also, how many dead pixels are people averaging, id like to hope none. Thanks for any input.

No dead pixels so far (using VGA input).

The only thing negative I have noticed is that the corners of the display have light emitting from them onto the lcd, but, this is only visible if the screen in those areas is black.

kdn102 I too have noticed some light at the corners but it seems to go away completely after about half an hour of use. I too have no dead pixels to report. On another note, the service people told me that they are still in the process of getting that remote code. 11ms is the quoted time for gray to gray as far as I know.

Truth is, those fine white lines don't bother me a bit.

The only main weakness of this TV that I can see is that it just lacks HDMI input.

There's NO ghosting, flickering, or humming, OK??!!!

Just having 3 sets of component inputs and DVI with HDCP alone is already gonna be more than enough for most HD users on a budget.

If you need more, just buy all the right cables and switches or whatever!

The bottom line is: For the price and the size of this LCD, you can't get any better.

So quit hecklin', just git yer arses over to Tiger Direct and BUY IT already! :D

OK, on a totally unrelated note; does anybody know if Sony is enforcing HDCP on their new PS3 consoles as a way of getting payback on all the HD gamers who didn't buy one of their 200-pound gorrillas last year?

I was at Best Buy last year when I witnessed some poor fools who were duped into breaking their wallets (and their backs) into buying this contraption.

Sure, the picture quality was AWESOME... But I didn't exactly see 4 times the picture quality, nor could I find anything about it that can justify paying 4 times as much as other HDTVs. :confused:

Something in the back of my mind kept telling me that these idiots are gonna be the laughing stock next year when everybody else starts buying flat panels at UNBELEIVABLY CHEAP prices.

Just imagine hauling THAT thing up the stairs!

Better rub in that Icy Hot real good!

Also, imagine trying to get rid of it like 5-10 years from now! :eek:

I just bought one as well, now I has this question about the DVI connector on the back of the TV. I'm getting Dishnetwork Receiver this week and I noticed the receiver had HDMI connector on the back. To connect the TV and the receiver via HDMI, I'll have to get the HDMI -> DVI cable to connect them, but how about the audio for this input? I understand that HDMI cable carry both Video and Audio in the same cable, but what will happen when it connect to the DVI connector? Where is the sound will come from?
TIA

Where is the sound will come from?No doubt from the White & Red RCA connectors for L&R audio output on your Dishnetwork Receiver.

No doubt from the White & Red RCA connectors for L&R audio output on your Dishnetwork Receiver.

So from what you're saying, the HDMI to DVI cable only carry Video signal? Audio will be separate from the HDMI to DVI cable.

Yes.

I think I remember someone earlier in this Topic mentioning that the audio input for DVI on the Niko is shared with that of the VGA input, it is a 1/8" mini-stereo jack like on a PC. So assuming your receiver has Red & White RCA outputs for L&R stereo audio, you would need an adapter from that to 1/8 mini stereo plug. They are very common.

nguyen27 let us know what your thoughts are on the hdmi - dvi connection with your dishnetwork receiver. I assume you have the 622? Let us know how good the picture qaulity looks. I am curious to hear what SD channels look like through this connection. If you bother with the component connections fill us in on those as well. I actually run the s-video from the older receiver to a dvd recorder and then into the tv via its component out. I swear the PQ looks better than just running the s-video directly to the tv. You would think running the signal through something else first would degrade it.

The HDMI to DVI connection works great. With a HFA100 ATSC tuner, RCA to 1/8mm adapter cable plugged into the audio input next to the VGA connector; all the sound pass through the niko speakers. The sound is a little tinny especially with the spectacular HD image. However, I'll have to live with that until I get something better (any suggestions). For the moment my off the air HDTV reception is stunning. I can barely watch SD anymore. With my Mac and a Radeon 9000 DVI to DVI, my Cinema Display envy went right out the window too, I can always use it as a monitor.
After researching this for a long time, I'm glad I took the plunge. If the electronics hold up for a while, I'll feel like I made a great deal.

I've had the 32" for 2 months now. Its lived up to my expectations - First, the $100 rebate arrived so the price promised is the price I paid. I use the TV in 4 ways -
1. DVI Input from my media PC is displayed on the display I used it to ice-rocket ( a search engine ) the net and settle arguments. The clarity is just fine - from 12 feet away - I have the fonts really big.
2. to play xVID, divX, VCDS, and the occasional HI-DEF and also DVD downloads via zoomplayer. They all look great.. except for the VCDs- which don't look very good if you blow them up to fill the screen - but then VCD is a lossy format anyway so its not surprising and so long as you keep the picture small its just fine.
3. to watch DVDs connected via component Video - its truly great. no problems.. a point to note is that the signal shows up both on that PBycYr (sp?) channel and if you push AV1 or whatever repeatedly on the remote. Its weird that its been organised like that.
4. to watch DISH TV inputs via S-Video. Mostly its pretty good. Using Cinema modewhen the picture broadcast is called WIDE-screen gives you the highest use of your display acreage without distortion NOR loss of edge information. The problem with "liquid" faces - particularly Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes which I always watch off the DVR that's bundled into the DISH- receiver is definitely there.. But I watch other talking head programs too - MSNBC, CNBC and I watch sports ( go Spurs ) and they don't have that problem. I really think its ABC's signal.. Any ideas?

-K

All in all this is a win. Roll on Xmas and the next generation of LCDs..

When I use the STB I usually have it on auto. If the program being viewed is exactly 16:9 but being transmitted in SD 4:3 mode I will use cinema. As long as it's a true 16:9 you won't lose any information, but you end up with a grainier picture due to the scaling. I have never found a use for panorama.

Using Windows MCE I don't have any choice at all (I'm using the ATI component adaptor), and it's always 16:9 (no matter what I set the switch to), which is quite annoying especially when it's "16:9 in 4:3". Does anyone have any MCE experience with this monitor using DVI or VGA? I really would like to be able to force cinema in the "16:9 in 4:3" cases.

I don't quite understand...

Your forced to use ATI's adaptor when the TV has DVI and VGA inputs??? As far as I understand it, MCE has drivers for ATI 9X cards and it shouldn't matter what you use, but I would go with using either the VGA input or DVI input and sell the adaptor, its just causing confusion on your part.

It might be the Component input you are using... That has been an issue on some panels as some support progressive input and some just 480p. In fact I know that's the case on some of the Maganvox LCD's...

Just thought Id follow up.

I've had the TV for a couple months now. I use mine primarily for xbox 360, HD Cable, and Movies.

Zero problems with the TV (Minus the ONE dead pixel). Its been doing great, and I've had nothing but compliments on the TV from friends and family.

Just for the record... playing games on this TV DO NOT smear or ghost, since people are still showing concern for it.

<Edit> just forgot to add this; I too have the light problem in the corners, but they completely go away after about 20-30 mins of being on. This was a relief because my 32" Westy did this too, but they would never go away.

nguyen27 let us know what your thoughts are on the hdmi - dvi connection with your dishnetwork receiver. I assume you have the 622? Let us know how good the picture qaulity looks. I am curious to hear what SD channels look like through this connection. If you bother with the component connections fill us in on those as well. I actually run the s-video from the older receiver to a dvd recorder and then into the tv via its component out. I swear the PQ looks better than just running the s-video directly to the tv. You would think running the signal through something else first would degrade it.

I still haven't got my HDMI - DVI cable yet, ordered from monoprice since Monday, but still not here? Right now I got the VIP211 from DISH hooked up with components to Input4 and that work nicely, lots better than my brother with his Samsung HDTV and Comcast's HD. SD channels are auto adjust to 4:3 and still look sharp/crystal clear. If you're cascading the signal thru devices, the signal sure will be degrading but not much. One thing I still haven't figure out is the Closed caption (CC) some how doesn't work, not sure if I did something wrong. My DISH VIP 211 hookup with TV via components, no CC on any of the channels, tried pressing the CC button a few times but no luck.

nguyen27 have you had the SD version of Dish network's receiver connected at any point in time? In other words, have you seen the quality of any non HD receiver with this tv? If so how does it compare to your current component connection? Overall are you satisfied with your current setup's picture quality while watching SD channels? I am wondering whether I should go ahead and order one of thier HD receivers. Thanks for any info.

nguyen27 have you had the SD version of Dish network's receiver connected at any point in time? In other words, have you seen the quality of any non HD receiver with this tv? If so how does it compare to your current component connection? Overall are you satisfied with your current setup's picture quality while watching SD channels? I am wondering whether I should go ahead and order one of thier HD receivers. Thanks for any info.

I got the TV several days before I have DISH come out and install the VIP211. So yet I had the DVR 522 hookup to the TV via components cables for a few days, the PQ of SD channels on the DVR 522 compare to PQ of SD channels on the new HD VIP211 are similar, but the HD channels are way lots better tho, specially when you watch DISH Demo HD channel that showing underwater show :). Overall, I'm really happy with the SD channels with this TV. With the BronzeHD package from Dish, you will get about 10-12 HDD channels. Bottom line is, this TV live up to everything I expected.

I don't quite understand...
Your forced to use ATI's adaptor when the TV has DVI and VGA inputs??? As far as I understand it, MCE has drivers for ATI 9X cards and it shouldn't matter what you use, but I would go with using either the VGA input or DVI input and sell the adaptor, its just causing confusion on your part.
The reason I am using the adaptor is that originally I was using MCE with a SD 27" tv that had component inputs. The picture was much better with component than with analog inputs. I am not using MCE as my primary tuner now, so I decided to use the component cables I already had (imagine, someone buying this TV who is frugal!). That's why I asked the question about aspect ratio...if you can't force 16:9 when the input is 4:3 I'm not going to bother buying the DVI cable.

It might be the Component input you are using... That has been an issue on some panels as some support progressive input and some just 480p. In fact I know that's the case on some of the Maganvox LCD's...
Component input? Do you mean on the Niko? That's what I own, so that should answer your question.

The picture was much better with component than with analog inputs.Component Video IS analog.

So, I just got the TV and am a tech idiot, thought you could help. I have the cable plugged directly into the tuner, and was on NBC (Law & Order: CI) and the screen would switch to 16:9 by itself and not allow me to switch view modes (aspect ratios). Then, if I changed the channel it still would not let me switch to 4:3, even though it had let me switch before I went to NBC. It is like NBC got the view mode "stuck" in 16:9. I could only fix this problem by moving off NBC, then switching to AV1 and then back to TV-- then it would let me switch (until I went back to NBC, then it got stuck again).

Same thing happened with SNL on NBC, and while watching SNL in 16:9 there was black bars at the top and bottom. Is that normal?

I feel like this has something to do with HDTV, but I am really new to this and would appreciate some education. Sorry that this message is well below the typical on this forum.

So, I just got the TV and am a tech idiot, thought you could help. I have the cable plugged directly into the tuner, and was on NBC (Law & Order: CI) and the screen would switch to 16:9 by itself and not allow me to switch view modes (aspect ratios). Then, if I changed the channel it still would not let me switch to 4:3, even though it had let me switch before I went to NBC. It is like NBC got the view mode "stuck" in 16:9. I could only fix this problem by moving off NBC, then switching to AV1 and then back to TV-- then it would let me switch (until I went back to NBC, then it got stuck again).

Same thing happened with SNL on NBC, and while watching SNL in 16:9 there was black bars at the top and bottom. Is that normal?

I feel like this has something to do with HDTV, but I am really new to this and would appreciate some education. Sorry that this message is well below the typical on this forum.



No, this is prolly because some of the channels in your area might not be broadcasted in 4:3 or 16:9 format at all times; so therefore it might be program-related. :D

Have you got an external DTV tuner?

Those contraptions might allow you to manually adjust the aspect ratio.

BTW, you just bought one of the best 32" LCDs ever!

Has anyone tried to use the AV3 output? I connected a dvd player to the tv and now I want to output the sound to a stereo via the AV3 output. Unfortunately, all I get is static. Im wondering if anyone has had experience using the AV3 output. Am I doing something wrong? Also, no word on the remote codes yet.

First let me say that I am also a techno-idiot and completely new to all of this.
I bought the Niko 32" and have it hooked up to my comcast digital cable box,
and the picture is beautiful but then moving from a twenty year old Panasonic
anything would be an improvement.

However, I have two other boxes and an indoor antenna to connect; I am completely overwhelmed as to what cables to buy and where to put them?
I bought cables at radio shack but they seem to have all the wrong ends.
I am taking them back and will be ordering from monoprice but what type and do I need male to male ??--All quite confusing.

In addition to the Niko and Comcast digital box I have:

Samsung SIR T451
Oppo OPDV 971H
Silver Sensor indoor antenna

Can someone tell me what cables I need and what goes where? There are so many inputs and connectors! Don't know if its me or the manual. I'd appreciate any help from someone familiar with this set.


Also, can I use my HP Pavilion dv1000 laptop to record from the Niko? It only has windows XP and a DVD player with recording capability. Would I need anything special? I know it's alot of questions but I'm starting from scratch and any help would be appreciated.


Thanks.

Has anyone tried to use the AV3 output? I connected a dvd player to the tv and now I want to output the sound to a stereo via the AV3 output. Unfortunately, all I get is static. Im wondering if anyone has had experience using the AV3 output. Am I doing something wrong? Also, no word on the remote codes yet.

Have to specify it (AV3) as output in the set-up menu.

I should have mentioned that I had already set the AV3 input as OUT, and still only heard static. I guess I can try setting it up again to see if the static is still there. Can more people contact niko about the remote codes? I feel that they might not be receiving enough complaints to pressure them into hurrying up.

Just acquired this monitor/tv myself, primarily using it as a computer monitor, and so far its great. But i want to make it perfect. Does anyone have a recommended monitor driver to use with it as Niko doesnt have one.

Also, anyone have suggestions as to advanced timing settings (i have a 7800gt sli array, so nvidia)

Can someone tell me what cables I need and what goes where? There are so many inputs and connectors! Don't know if its me or the manual. I'd appreciate any help from someone familiar with this set.



Well, yer prolly gonna need at least several runs of component cables and a few audio cables. :D

Connecting yer antenna will require a couple of RF cables, but you prolly know that already.

I would recommend using only DVI fer the DVD video connection to this TV because that there specific model of DVD player (top-of-the-line, BTW) which you happen to own can't output progressive scan in component mode.

I know Belkin makes a good 5-layered, silver-plated DVI cable that some proffessional installers use and is cheap to get if you check online.

That should do you in.

Hello everyone,

I just bought this TV yesterday and it seems pretty nice so far. At the moment I am using composite video and Audio cables, which don’t produce the nicest picture.

I need some advice on what Audio and Video Cables to buy...

My Stereo Surround System supports the following connections:

1 x Composite video input (RCA phono) - Rear, 1 x Composite video output (RCA phono) - Rear, 1 x S-Video output (4 pin mini-DIN) - Rear, 1 x S-Video input (4 pin mini-DIN) - Rear, 1 x Component video output (RCA phono x 3) - Rear, 1 x Audio line-in (RCA phono x 2) - Rear, 1 x SPDIF input (TOS Link) - Rear, 1 x Headphones (Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm) - Front, 1 x USB (4 pin USB Type A) - Front, 2 x AV Compu Link-III (Mini-phone 3.5 mm) - Rear, 1 x AM antenna - Rear, 1 x FM antenna - Rear, 1 x HDMI output

Initially I assume that I need to buy 2 sets of Component Cords (One set for Audio and one set for Video). Is this a safe assumtion? Or does someone have a better suggestion?

I am very new to the ever-changing world of A/V Hookups and would greatly appreciate advice on what to buy.

Thank you so much for any advice you can provide.

Hi Guys,

I am at work and need to pull the trigger on this one very quickly - really hoping the unit will show up by friday if i order it from tiger by noon....

a couple of quick questions:

1) Will letterbox movies on SD channels stretch to fill the entire screen?
2) Is it reasonable to use this as a PC monitor from a distance of 2-3 feet?

Thanks!

Hi Guys,

I am at work and need to pull the trigger on this one very quickly - really hoping the unit will show up by friday if i order it from tiger by noon....

a couple of quick questions:

1) Will letterbox movies on SD channels stretch to fill the entire screen?
2) Is it reasonable to use this as a PC monitor from a distance of 2-3 feet?

Thanks!

I know this is a bit late, but....
1) 16:9 will stretch to fit the entire screen, 2.35:1 will still leave some black bars on the top/bottom.
2) I would say no less than 3 feet, I usually sit at about 4 feet (eyes to screen) when I'm using it as a monitor.

Thanks KDN - will it be a comfortable view at 3 feet?

Thanks KDN - will it be a comfortable view at 3 feet?

Once I get closer than 4 feet I am able to actually see the pixels and the minor gap between them. However, I've also been able to see these gaps on PDA's where other people haven't so this may not be an issue for you.

I currently use it for both TV viewing distances (6' or so) and as a computer monitor. I use the graphics cards drivers to lower the brightness/contrast, but I can't really find a good setting that produces a great picture and isn't hard on the eyes when viewing "bright" sources. I can't go more than about 45 minutes of white background text viewing without my eyes starting to hurt, even at 4 feet.

If you're using it for games it will be fine. I play WOW for many hours at a time and, so far, (knock on wood) I haven't had any problems.

Again, my eyes seem to be a lot more light sensitive than most people, so keep that in mind.

Also, as I have said in past posts, I wouldn't buy this if it was going to be for long term "primary" use. It's a decent monitor for the price, but it's not a great monitor. I personally would not recommend buying this if you plan on keeping it for a long time. I mainly bought it because it is a great transition TV until 1080p TV's become cheaper and the HD DVD format war settles. I will most likely replace it with a high quality set in about a year and put it out to pasture as a bedroom TV.

Thanks for the info KDN!

My eyes are also sensitive to light...

I guess my evil plan for a desktop monitor is probably not going to work out unless i can get another couple of feet between me and the monitor...

There may be a wall mount solution that I could employ, with the desk slightly away from the wall...

Thanks again...

Still looking for reviews on this unit.

well I just bought a 26" version....
and ready to return them if they go bad ....:'(

do you know if the 26" have built in turner?.....
how come some of the reply say it does?

I don't have this Niko, I have the Niko otp-2611w bought it January of this year (for the super bowl ;p) and JUST broke it! :(

Well I wanted to say WHEN IT WORKED it was a THING of beautey! Had a whole laundry list of inputs too-
THREE composite (rgb, colorfull wires etc. ;p) ins while one was also an out (never got around to testing that function...)
TWO S-Video and component ins (the components had their own audio inputs, but the s videos had to share with two of the composites)
ONE DVI-D, and VGA in
ONE line in and a line out (headphone)

there, that's all.

another neato technical feature I liked to play around with ;p the thing had a 'freeze screen' button ;p not too handy. But I did like to second guess the umpire/ instant replays in sports games. That Super Bowl calls were TRULEY horrendous!

I never got an HD receiver (and the tuner was SD) but the screen got noticably darker when I hooked it up to my Xbox via component (HD)... don't know if it was the xbox or the tv but.

that's about all I could think of that may be aplicable to both tvs.

my problem is I just blew my tv (tipped it over and poured-it-out... said the tv repair man -_-... basically the Liquid in the Crystal displayed itself... all over my desk when I tiped it over to put my vga wires in. the connections are on the bottom! I thought it was MADE for that! ...). So the thing I liked best was all the connections. So do ALL lcds have THAT many connections?? (a component for my xbox, a component for my ps2, a composite for my Gamecube, a composite for my cable box... I never got to the composite out BUT this is my FAVORITE feature... see I capture stuff through my computer but THIS WAY I can capture via Xbox HD which nobody to my knowledge has EVER done! EVER!... plus the dvi/ line in for my computer and the vga for my Dreamcast... PLUS I can capture Dreamcast via the high deffinition VGA stream ;p.)

so yeah, the kicker is the TV out. Any other LCDs (26-42 inch) with tv out?? Maybe I'd save up for a 50 inch+ plasma if anybody knows of any with this feature.

oh yeah... it was always in the back of my mind that the thing might gamma bomb on me ;p dunno if it's true with ALL Niko's, but I could FEEL that screan get HOT from where I SAT! (again since I switched back and forth, mainly for PC purposes I sat 5 feet or less from the screen...)
Never happened, but... yeah, hot.

There are AV1, AV2, AV3, VGA, DVI, and TV buttons on the remote. And yes, they take you directly to the input implied by their name.

he forgot the component button (YPbPr) and they don't take you directly to it! To be precise, they scan through the frequencies (inputs) starting with the channel you specify.

one thing this made me remember. if you turn the thing on it usually defaults to TV and ON the TV (if I remember right) there is no DVI button so if you have the computer hooked up and don't have the remote, your SOL.

-however I should say that recently it seemed that it DEFAULTED to TV (RCA), but if I turned it on WITH the xbox on in the component than it would turn on to ypbpr... I can't recall if this is true with VGA.

Also it had a TERRIBLE tendancy of turning off whenever my computer went to suspend but it wouldn't turn back on automatically.

It may have been a driver problem (I lost the monitor driver disk before I ever got to use it...) but the monitor would go blue, almost going into 'power saveing' mode, when starting XP.... probley just me.

AND the thing took SO long to power up! (both from power saveing mode and from totally off) Just a disurbance, but annoying when it takes 10 extra seconds to turn on. Not just to focus in (as I understand it, on lcds, that takes no time) to EVEN turn on. PLUS the remote is CHEAP. Cheap as they probley went with something like 2.4ghz or even the OLD 900mhz over the more expenseive stuff like RF. The remote is quirkey and doesn't always work but you'll never know till the 2-3 second wait till the on light even comes on (and again, it's a 5+ second wait after that). Sorry to go off on this, but I never noticed how HOT HEADED I could be about these things.

I noticed the hum as well, but only the first few days. I probably got used to it now as I don't notice it anymore. On another note, does anyone have experience with this tv's scaler? Do you let it do its own scaling or do you usually allow your receiver do the work?

I noticed the hum! ... after it broke.

Is this the same manufactor that made great recievers back in the seventies because I still have the reciever from back then and it still works great . I remember that it was spelled Nikko maybe they just dropped a K but if it is there stuff is awesome because I have never had a problem with it and I got it when I was 16 and I'm now 44 so I bet that this Tv is a steal at that price and I bet if enough people buy them they will probably go up alittle. I would be interested if anyone know how long they have been around.

no, they went on to RC Trucks than I lost them :) :p

another neato technical feature I liked to play around with ;p the thing had a 'freeze screen' button ;p not too handy. But I did like to second guess the umpire/ instant replays in sports games. That Super Bowl calls were TRULEY horrendous!

I never got an HD receiver (and the tuner was SD) but the screen got noticably darker when I hooked it up to my Xbox via component (HD)... don't know if it was the xbox or the tv but.

that's about all I could think of that may be aplicable to both tvs.

my problem is I just blew my tv (tipped it over and poured-it-out... said the tv repair man -_-... basically the Liquid in the Crystal displayed itself... all over my desk when I tiped it over to put my vga wires in. the connections are on the bottom! I thought it was MADE for that! ...).


Hi I just got my Niko...Def. don't want to break it.....
can you elaborate on how you break it?
what you mean tip over? like lay LCD flat on the ground?

I just got my 26" Niko...I think they are great
no ghost line when I watch DVD with DVI connector....
played PS2 with AV cable...they look pretty good.
however when I watched DVD through AV cable.....it sucked

What other problems have you experienced with 26" Niko?

Anyone know what settings id need on an nvida video card to run this thing in 1080i?

custom timings, etc?

Hi I just got my Niko...Def. don't want to break it.....
can you elaborate on how you break it?
what you mean tip over? like lay LCD flat on the ground?

I just got my 26" Niko...I think they are great
no ghost line when I watch DVD with DVI connector....
played PS2 with AV cable...they look pretty good.
however when I watched DVD through AV cable.....it sucked

What other problems have you experienced with 26" Niko?

yeah... I was stupid and layed the lcd face on the ground while putting in connections (the connections ARE on the bottom. not the most convenient place... but where most lcds have them). Coulda' happened with any lcd. Not Niko's fault :(

Biggest problem I had was the screen got noticably hot... funny how nobody comments on that. I wonder if it was just my one.

I just got the OTP-3211W today. I don't have cable, but I tried playing some DVDs on a progressive scan player (480p) and I'm pretty happy with the picture. I don't see any 'ghosting' or smearing when playing the Matrix Revolutions (lots of fast moving sentinels). Come to think about it, NTSC = 30 fps = 33 ms per frame. The absolute black to black response time of the unit = 22 ms, which is faster than the frame rate. I shouldn't have fret for a month, deciding between this and Viewsonic N3251W and the Hyundai Q321. (The Viewsonic has ugly design, and I read that the Hyundai has major a/v sync problem).

I played a little bit with the color settings, but it seems that the optimal settings would have to change everytime I change DVD. Right now I have everything at default, except sharpness at 8. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I will get around to trying this as monitor via VGA. I'm curious whether it will look any better through PowerDVD.

I didn't see any bad pixels - thumbs up for Niko. However, black levels are only just about decent. I read either here on on TD's feedback about turning the brightness all the way down to 0 to improve the blacks - it doesn't look good on my unit (too dark).

Well that's it for now. I'll post again when I have tried something new.

played PS2 with AV cable...they look pretty good.
however when I watched DVD through AV cable.....it sucked


Well, stock AV cables (especially the Sony ones) usually suck HORSE-ARSE!!! :D

If you plan on playin' ANYTHING on this type of display, you owe it to yerself to at least git a good set of component cables.

Have you ever tried out Monster's PGL400 CVAA-10 GameLink component AV cable fer PS2?

The price should've gone down by now.

I think that there cable also looks like it might even be backwards compatible with the PS3.

That would be yer best bet fer good all-around picture 'n sound quality on dis here LCD of yers unless you wanna mess with a buncha pricy VGA converters 'n cables.

Check online to see which vendor has it fer the lowest price.



My name is Overpriced Cables...

...See ya 'round, kid! ;)

I have tried using this TV as monitor via VGA. It sets resolution to 1360 x 768 automatically, apparently the maximum resolution available. Text looks bad because I think this is not the native resolution (try that with any LCD monitors). I could not set force my nVidia card to the 1366 x 768 native resolution. This seems like a design flaw, but I bet all other 1366x768 LCD TVs suffer from the same problem.
Viewing pictures/movies is not a problem though. In fact, DVDs playing with PowerDVD (fullscreen) look fantastic. I notice that black baseline is deeper with VGA compared to component, at least with my setup. In opening of movies in widescreen 2.35:1 format, you can tell the absolute black (top and bottom bars) from the signal black (center portion). On component there is no difference. Next PC I get will definitely be a home theater PC (with remote).

Another good tidbit about this TV: it is apparently PAL compatible. PAL tapes playing on my multisystem VCR shows in black and white on my old tube TV, but in color on the Niko. Yay! I don't watch PAL tapes, but it's nice to know about this capability.

If I had to have a gripe, it would be the slight facing down angle the screen makes (probably 1 degree or so - you can see from the photos on retailer websites as well). It looks like this TV is sold out on TD (I feel lucky somewhat). We'll see if Buy will carry this model (and the rebate) into September.

In case you want another review, this is all I have to say: I registered just to talk about this TV.

Components I have hooked up:

1) Xbox 360, component video cables, 720p- Crystal clear quality, Madden 2007 looks amazing and I can't wait to try PGR3 on it as well.

2) Comcast Digital Cable w/ Motorola DVR, component video- Standard Cable looks alright, there is barely noticeable artifacting, and it would help if the contrast ratio were higher, but that's why I don't watch Standard. Any HD channels I've watched have been amazing and provide great clarity, with no artifacting/ghosting.

3) Samsung Combo DVD/VCR, component video- Haven't really given this a try yet, still plan on using DVE (Digital Video Essentials) Calibration Disc before checking out a movie.

Problems:
1) Yes, the screen does to get fairly warm, and you can feel the heat about 5 or 6 inches away from the unit.

2) I thought the picture on HD channels would take up the whole screen, but I still get black bars on the top/bottom. Anyone know how I can fix this, or if this is just the norm?

3) My remote was DOA- I have to send it to Niko before they'll send me another one.

Bottom Line:

For the price, I really have no right to complain about a warm screen or fuzzy picture on standard TV. This unit is a great buy and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a second or third TV, or even someone like myself- a 21 year old looking for a decent TV.

No Avia or THX calibration discs required. :D



BRIGHTNESS = 50

CONTRAST = 55

COLOR = 75

TINT = 50

SHARPNESS = 10

PHASE = 50

Have you guys heard about the 37" Niko OTP-3716w? Check it out at Skymall. Seems pricey though, more than twice the price of the 32".

I'm shure that the price will go down pretty soon. :D

But with the kinda money that they are askin' fer right now, you could prolly get somethin' better elsewhere at the moment.

However, that new 37" Niko still looks very promising tho.

It's prolly gonna turn out to be another solid performer just like the 32".

Now if only they're willing to drop it down to about a grand or so by Xmas...

Yeah, I've spent about a week with my Panasonic TX-26lx600 that costs more than 2x as much and for what I was doing with it, My lowly Niko was TEN times better. wish I had it back, but maybe I'll just pick up that 37 inch the moment it's price drops.

I won't say that this Panny is a crappy TV, it's 10x better than the Niko AT LEAST, but I use it as my monitor and other than the heat thing (and it's quite an energy hog if you care...), it was a MUCH better monitor.... I mean at least it worked decently.

This screen gets hot so I partially take back my complaint. But nowhere near AS hot I mean you can't feal it till you touch it as opposed to fealing heat from a decent distance <decent if you use it as an htpc/ websurfing monitor>). Seriously, that and the energy it uses I'd check for atomic poisoning...

The viewing angle's not even close to this thing... MUCH worse, but still.... I rather enjoyed watching tv from a 120 degree angle ;p it did that trippy warping thing that magnified the center (and no, it didn't fade really like an old laptop tft, it just... warped)! This thing is just AMAZEING for just 1 grand. I can look at it from ANYWHERE it looks the same. /easily amused

Text is clear and legible through DVI! It's not as sharp as my Acer monitor, but a drastic improvement over VGA. When I'm typing this post the text is legible at about 5 ft. A permanent hook up of my PC to the Niko is now a nice option.

I was wrong before. The reason text looked bad on VGA is not because of the resolution (1360 vs. 1366), it's the VGA connection. It looks like the graphics card just ignores the 6 pixel columns (side margins) and only addresses the 1360 center pixel columns. On DVI it's the same resolution but text is clear, not washed up.

thanks for the setting overpriced...also, what setting should I have in order to have HD channels take up the full screen? I still get black bars on the top/bottom when watching ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc.

I think I have solved the mystery of the unresponsive remote. It seems that the remote goes on 'sleep' mode after a period of not being used. It needs to be waken up by pressing a button. Therefore often you need to press a button twice (e.g. power button) for it to work, because the first one only wakes the remote.

So this is what I do: first I press the OK button (any button should do), then press power. It works even when I point the remote in the opposite direction!

thanks for the setting overpriced...also, what setting should I have in order to have HD channels take up the full screen? I still get black bars on the top/bottom when watching ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc.



That can depend on alotta things like what type of HDTV tuner ya might be usin' or possibly even your content provider. :D

But in most cases, we get the best results by setting it to PANORAMA.

As fer the sound, be shure to keep it on surround mode at all times and use THX cables to achieve LOUD, BOOMING BASS.

I ain't kiddin' ya on this one; the THX cables actually allow you jack the volume all the way up to the max (level 50) without hearing any crackling or distortion sounds.

We know this cuz we mainly watch music videos in the office with this TV and always tend to have the volume on at EAR-PIERCING levels.

Our office is right on the ground floor facing out towards the street, you see.

Everybody who passes by outside are just giving us this weird look.

Anyone have the VGA port crap out on them?

Was using my unit as a monitor for my headless file server over the weekend (hard drive problems) and it was working fine. Rebooted the box and now constant NO SIGNAL. At first I thought my video card crumped but I tried my laptop and have the same issue.

It definitely has NO SIGNAL because it will either switch to the next live input (usually S1) or it will say SWITCHING TO POWER SAVING MODE in text on the blue screen and then the monitor shuts down. If I do something on the keyboard or move the mouse, the screen will powerup but the display stays black for about 3 seconds and then switches to the next live input.

Help? (Besides Warranty service - which I will call in a day or two.)

Barry

Yes Barry, we can feel yer hit. :D

But that hit will become a SMASH pretty soon if ya don't take care of it.

Same thing happens when ya leave it on DVI mode when there's no source signal coming in.



Here are some things you can try befer callin' in Niko:


If yer graphics card supports DVI output, then try to use that instead.

If not, then you can opt fer one of the more expensive component to VGA converters.

I would also strongly advise that you check yer cables and follow my settings listed above fer optimum picture quality.



Basically, you get what you paid fer; so congratulations on owning one of the very finest 32" LCDs in the market right now.

Anyone know of any universal remotes that work with this tv? Anything from Harmony?

I got an email last week about a sale on the Niko. Found this thread and was surprised by all the positive comments and reviews. The vender I chose to 'BUY' it from was offering a $100 refund and a nice price and the timing was right.

Just got it today and am very pleased with the PQ. I don't have HD yet, but might have to put out some $$ to upgrade (looking into OTA, mythtv, xbox, z500 and other options). So far SD thru my DishNetwork DVR looks very grainy. I guess you don't notice this with lesser tvs. Put on a DVD and the PQ is a totally different story. Watching SW ep3 right now and it holds up nicely even thru the high action. It's a cheap player hooked up with RCAs so I know that even this PQ will improve with better input. I don't have a VGA cable to I can't hook up my computer, but I do want to try that as well.

I emailed Niko for remote codes to turn on/off with my Dish remote. Hope they will answer with good news (I will post if I find out).

Well thanks for all the input, as I wouldn't have pulled the trigger on this deal if it wasn't for all the good feedback and reviews.

I think I have solved the mystery of the unresponsive remote. It seems that the remote goes on 'sleep' mode after a period of not being used. It needs to be waken up by pressing a button. Therefore often you need to press a button twice (e.g. power button) for it to work, because the first one only wakes the remote.

So this is what I do: first I press the OK button (any button should do), then press power. It works even when I point the remote in the opposite direction!

I often find that the power ON takes two presses even when using a universal remote. I have tried both remotes about 3' from the IR input on the TV and still had to press it twice, so I don't think it's just the Niko remote.

Anyone know of any universal remotes that work with this tv? Anything from Harmony?

As long as it's a learning remote it should work perfectly. My URC-200 Automator was able to learn every button on the Niko that I threw at it.

I have a question for all of you lucky Niko owners out there.

I am using a progressive scan player (a sony model) with component inputs into this TV. When I play a movie it shows up in 4:3 mode with the 16:9 picture in the middle (i.e. big black bars on both the left/right and top/bottom). So in effect it's only displaying 480x720 pixels in the center of the screen.

It also does the same thing when:
* using a cheapo progressive scan player (Cyber something or other)
* watching a DVD using MCE2005 (it's been ripped to disk and mounted as a drive)
* watching Stargate SG-1 on a HD channel via Comcast cable

In all of the above cases I am unable to set it to Cinema mode like I can with a SD signal. I am using component cables for all inputs mentioned.

Is this normal or should the Niko be scaling the 480p to fill the whole screen?
Will an upscaling DVD player resolve this?

I have a question for all of you lucky Niko owners out there.

I am using a progressive scan player (a sony model) with component inputs into this TV. When I play a movie it shows up in 4:3 mode with the 16:9 picture in the middle (i.e. big black bars on both the left/right and top/bottom). So in effect it's only displaying 480x720 pixels in the center of the screen.

It also does the same thing when:
* using a cheapo progressive scan player (Cyber something or other)
* watching a DVD using MCE2005 (it's been ripped to disk and mounted as a drive)
* watching Stargate SG-1 on a HD channel via Comcast cable

In all of the above cases I am unable to set it to Cinema mode like I can with a SD signal. I am using component cables for all inputs mentioned.

Is this normal or should the Niko be scaling the 480p to fill the whole screen?
Will an upscaling DVD player resolve this?



Yep, it prolly would! :D

Have ya tried pressin' the WIDE button on the Niko's remote to fill the screen?

Keep on pressin' it until ya git either PANORAMA or CINEMA mode.

Also, does yer DVD player support 16X9 widescreen mode?

If that don't fix the aspect ratio problems, juss git one 'o them BEEFY-ARSE DVD players like Onkyo, Oppo, or JVC and toss in a buncha THX cables to really bring out the BEAUTY 'o this here TV.

There's NO QUESTION about the picture 'n sound quality.

You made great purchase!

Note that it also performs especially well on concert/music video DVDs.

BTW, how loud do y'all BLAST yers?

We were playin' a Westlife DVD at FULL BLAST in my friend's office this week (with the door swung wide open) and everybody passin' by outside was lookin' at us with these weird cow eyes... :eek:

I emailed Niko for remote codes to turn on/off with my Dish remote. Hope they will answer with good news (I will post if I find out).


No codes. So I'm using two remotes for now.

Hey guys I have a few questions. Specifically about the Niko and Xbox 360. I have them and I have tried both the component and vga ins for the 360. Component has MUCH better color, VGA is washed out and a little too bright. Has anyone else noticed this? What cables are you all using to run the 360? The VGA cable is supposed to be amazing through alot of other tvs, i was just disappointed i couldnt share in the excitement (and the vga cable upscales dvds, whereas the component does not..)

Also, with the newest xbox 360 update, it is capable of outputing 1080p through component. Now, ALL of the specs on this tv say it is incapable of rendering 1080p, but it can! And, actually, it looks pretty damn good. almost better than 720p i dare say. Can anyone verify this? And any input on my cable woes would be appreciated.

Thanks guys

New models are out - SV3206 (32") and SV3706 (37"). Check it out at newegg.

OK, nice try Niko... :mad:

It's only been less than 6 months now, and I am VERY UNHAPPY to report that the first 2 component inputs are shot!

So what does THAT tell you guys about the build quality?

It was good while it lasted, but 6 more months from now, and HELL knows what else might go kaput?

It's juss like what I've always been tellin' y'all: You GET what you PAID fer.

I think it's time we invested a few more dollars and get a Sharp instead!

Now close the thread! Close the damn thread!!!

OK, nice try Niko... :mad:

It's only been less than 6 months now, and I am VERY UNHAPPY to report that the first 2 component inputs are shot!
...


What do you mean "shot"? I've had mine for over 7 months now and everything is still working fine. I use the first component inputs a lot, and haven't had any problems (so far).

VGA is probably the second most used at this point, and that's still OK.

Input 2 also has component input (at first it had an MCE computer, then later a DVD) and it's perfect.

Well, good fer you then! :mad:

We use ALL the inputs on this TV here in my friend's office and we have 5 different devices hooked up to it at once: a PC, an HD tuner, 2 DVD players, and a PS2.

We are using hi-end cables like Monster THX, M-series, Audio Quest, and Sonic Wave by Impact Accoustics.

Right now alluvasudden, the 1st and 2nd component inputs juss gives us a blue screen that says "NO SIGNAL".

We've already tried swapping out the cables with different ones and using different devices, but still get the same damn thing.

But maybe it's because we have it on 8-10 hours a day at FULL BLAST so that's prolly why it couldn't take the abuse.

We don't even know what the hell happened!

Yeah, HELL-YEAH; we shoulda bought a Sharp or a JVC... :(

Yeah, that's quite a bit of use for a TV! I definitely put on some mileage myself though, I used it, on average, 5 hours a day since I owned it. I would say 40% was VGA (WOW, mostly!), 40% input 1 and 10% input 2/3.

Like I've posted at least 4 times, this is definitely a disposable TV. I only planned to use it until the 40-50" 1080p's came down below $1000. They're starting to get there! Though now that they have said laser HDTV's might be out by Xmas 2007 I might hold off.

Does your DVI, VGA or input 3 still work?

Yeah, that's quite a bit of use for a TV! I definitely put on some mileage myself though, I used it, on average, 5 hours a day since I owned it. I would say 40% was VGA (WOW, mostly!), 40% input 1 and 10% input 2/3.

Like I've posted at least 4 times, this is definitely a disposable TV. I only planned to use it until the 40-50" 1080p's came down below $1000. They're starting to get there! Though now that they have said laser HDTV's might be out by Xmas 2007 I might hold off.

Does your DVI, VGA or input 3 still work?




Yeah, they still work but it makes me feel kinda shaky about buyin' another Niko in the future, ya know. :(

I mean, there are many reasons why the folks inhere dig this TV.

The speakers are very good and the screen is of decent size 'n quality.

But this could happen to ANYBODY.

Nobody kicked the panel, spilled soda over it, hit it with a hammer, or anythin' like that...

We were juss using it as an everyday TV/monitor, and it juss malfunctioned on it's own!

Those first 2 component inputs had suddenly stopped werkin' last week when we came into the office and decided to fire up the DVD player to blast some music videos...

We have a JVC Progressive Scan DVD player (XV-N5SL), hooked up to this TV with Monster THX Ultra 1000 component video AND audio cables.

While it's no Oppo, the picture and sound quality is still pretty nice fer a 4-year old DVD player.

The input jacks on the back of it are all gold-plated 'n everything; this is usually a sign of good quality.

When watchin' Best Motoring DVDs on it, the colors it produce are VERY strong and HELLA accurate.

Both component inputs juss gave us a blue screen that either said "NO SIGNAL" or "OUT OF RANGE".

Now we understand why this TV costs so cheap in the first place.

'Disposable' is an understatement, buddy.

But if yer gonna wait until next year to git a "Laser HDTV", then ya might as well wait a few more years when they release "Super Hi-Vision".

I dunno how many P's it's gonna be, but they say the resolution will be at least 7,680 X 4,320.

All I can say is, git ready to be blown off the damn planet... :eek:

By the time that happens, you can juss juss blow this one and kick it down the stairs!

Now close the thread, please!!!

I received my NIKO OTP-3211W 32"HDTV-LCD last week, very pleasantly surprised. Sometimes the SD picture is "great" and sometimes it's just awful??? 480P DVD video is fantastic! The technician is installing my HD DVR as I'm writing this, soon will see how it looks as a true HD TV. I find the blacks are very black and the whites a very white. Problem is "contrast", little or no detail in blacks. Tried to adjust via the OSD and the settings "appear" to be functioning properly, BUT the picture doesn't change??? Anyone know what's going on? I'm sure it's just me, and the Users Manual is of very little help (to say the very least!). Also, I don't understand some of the terminology in the AV connections menu; such as CVBS and YUV?

Joe

PS
Been hooked up a couple days now to HDTV service via the DirecTv Plus HD DVR using a HDMI to DVI cable. Wow, picture is phenominal. Even the contrast issues I previously spoke about are gone (except in some very limited SD viewing). Am hoping the set doesn't just up and quit like some folks have experienced. Anyone figured out the TV code yet??? Really a pain without it.

Anybody know how to get the bars on the sides of 4:3 aspect tv to be BLACK? I'm using Component inputs from an HD cble box and non HD channels have GREY bars. not dark but 50% gray. I've futzed with setting to no avail. I am going to try digging thru every setting on the cable box but I assume its the tv because in between channels (right before the channel loads- 1 second break) I see the light grey.

Otherwise yea yea yea..a bit dark on the xbox 360 but almost every game has video gamma and brightness settings so relax. No ghosting when using component. Its s signal thing.
The hum I can almost guarantee is a ground loop. I moved the tv into my new apartment and found that it hummed like a 18 wheeler idling. I narrowed the cause to the coax coming into the building. Its not grounded here.

I suspect the cable box is adding those gray bars. The only way to change their color would be via some setting on the cable box.

Merry Xmas, y'all. :D

The Olevia 342i is 42" big, has HDMI, and a contrast ratio of 1600 fer only a couple hundred bucks more than this POS.

Now close the damn thread, PLEASE!!!

I'm using Component inputs from an HD cble box and non HD channels have GREY bars.
I'm using a Comcast HD DVR (Motorola DCT3412 I) with component cables. The sidebars are grey for HD channels in 4:3, black for standard def.

Does anyone know of any codes for the Comcast 3 device remote to control the tv? It would be nice to only use one remote for basic watching. Thanks.

----sorry, don't want to hijak the thread...

I purchased the 26 inch version of this TV back in June and have been quite pleased with it. However, I began encountering problems with it in November which have led me here...

There are some days the TV isn't used at all, but for the most part I would say it's used for about five or six hours a day on average. In November though, Gears of War came out (the TV is mostly used for Xbox 360) and I found myself playing marathon sessions of Gears for hours on end. One day I was playing the 360 for about 10 - 12 hours straight, and in the wee hours of the morning the brightness level of the screen suddenly went way down on me - to about 50%. It looked like my laptop on low power settings. I was concerned, stopped playing and went to sleep. Next morning the TV (same component input) was fine.

A couple of days later, the same thing happened again only this time after the brighness went down the input went to "NO SIGNAL." I switched the cables to the other component input and it showed perfectly, but at that point I had serious reservations about the quality of the TV, started telling myself the whole "You get what you pay for" mantra, and figured I would have to buy a new TV in the near future. That was back in November, and until two days ago I had no problems with the TV again and started to forget about them. Then a few days ago I found myself playing a little longer than usual again, and both component inputs showed NO SIGNAL. I had to switch the 360 over to composite to continue playing. The next morning, the component inputs were again fine.

I'm planning on calling NIKO tomorrow, but figure there is no harm in sharing my story here and asking some questions. I was wondering, is it possible that the component inputs are over heating from extended use, and then functioning normally again after they cool down? Or is this just an early sign of the inputs dying on me?

OverpricedCables - if you are still watching this thread, did you obtain warranty service for your unit? If not, you should still be within the 1 year warranty period....

I purchased the 26 inch version of this TV back in June and have been quite pleased with it. However, I began encountering problems with it in November which have led me here...

There are some days the TV isn't used at all, but for the most part I would say it's used for about five or six hours a day on average. In November though, Gears of War came out (the TV is mostly used for Xbox 360) and I found myself playing marathon sessions of Gears for hours on end. One day I was playing the 360 for about 10 - 12 hours straight, and in the wee hours of the morning the brightness level of the screen suddenly went way down on me - to about 50%. It looked like my laptop on low power settings. I was concerned, stopped playing and went to sleep. Next morning the TV (same component input) was fine.

A couple of days later, the same thing happened again only this time after the brighness went down the input went to "NO SIGNAL." I switched the cables to the other component input and it showed perfectly, but at that point I had serious reservations about the quality of the TV, started telling myself the whole "You get what you pay for" mantra, and figured I would have to buy a new TV in the near future. That was back in November, and until two days ago I had no problems with the TV again and started to forget about them. Then a few days ago I found myself playing a little longer than usual again, and both component inputs showed NO SIGNAL. I had to switch the 360 over to composite to continue playing. The next morning, the component inputs were again fine.

I'm planning on calling NIKO tomorrow, but figure there is no harm in sharing my story here and asking some questions. I was wondering, is it possible that the component inputs are over heating from extended use, and then functioning normally again after they cool down? Or is this just an early sign of the inputs dying on me?

OverpricedCables - if you are still watching this thread, did you obtain warranty service for your unit? If not, you should still be within the 1 year warranty period....



Yeah, I hear ya man! :D


I'm also hearin' other people hollerin' about the same problems with this TV as you are.

We bought ours in May and started having problems in November juss like you did.

I wouldn't be HALF as pissed if the component inputs hadn't suddenly juss DIED on us like that!

When tryin' to use component input #1 or #2, it simply displays a blue screen that says either "NO SIGNAL" or "OUT OF RANGE".

We've tried pullin' all the cables out, turnin' the power off and everythin', (and you know what pain that can be) but to NO avail.

You actually had some luck with yers there cuz yer component inputs actually came back to life the next mornin'.

But the component inputs on our set are just fuggin' dead... FUGGIN' DEAD!!! :mad:

Look, I'm not even gonna mess around with this cheap POS no more.

Sendin' the TV back is juss a pain in the arse, and it's costly too.

And I doubt Niko would git ANYTHIN' fixed for us anytime soon.

Hell, I didn't even git my $100 rebate back like they promised; juss because I had it shipped to my friend's office address.

Even if we could git it fixed, HELL KNOWS what else might go kaput in yet another 6 months? :confused:

My only theory as to why it broke is prolly becuz we were usin' lots and lots of different hi-end cables and this TV simply couldn't handle it.

A good TV ain't supposed to juss break like that from normal everyday use.


This is CHEAP build quality, so I can't recommend it. :(

Im interested in the new version of this TV. There is a new thread on it. Please let me know if you have any input on the new NIKO SV3206.

Thank you.

I'm not quite sure if my DVI input has failed, or if this TV doesn't like some nVidia cards.
I rebuilt my system recently (old one had an AGP Radeon 9600 Pro,) and neither video card I've tried will get the display to work with DVI (I get blue 'no signal' screen.) The cards I've tried are a PNY Radeon 7600 GS, and an EVGA 7600 GT. I've tried both DVI outputs on the GT. After reading about failed inputs in this thread, I'm starting to think it may just be the DVI input died while messing with connections between the old and new computer. I can't really test the connection with the old computer, because I used the case and PSU for the new one (though I may try plugging the vid card into the motherboard just on a mat to try it out again.) As someone else mentioned, using the VGA input is problematic. In 1280x768 it usually works fine, but sometimes it looks blocky. In 1360x768 it almost always looks blocky, a couple of times it looked ok, but it had about a 1/2" wide black bar on the left edge of the screen. Anything past 1024x768 is a bit inconsistent. I'd really like to be able to use 1360x768 again, because that's true 16x9. Media Center has thin black bars across the top and bottom (24 pixels each I'm guessing) at 1280x768.
As for other issues, I've noticed the aspect ratio getting stuck on some channels as well (Jay Leno sticks on 4x3 for me, dunno about other NBC programs,) also when my PS2 is hooked up via component it sometimes hops around the aspect ratios randomly. I fould plugging the PS2 into Component 2 remedied this (though it's a bit less convenient.)
A plus I've noticed about this panel, that I don't know if it's common to all LCD's is that it plays PAL games fine.

I'm using VGA with a 6600GT on WinXP and Component with a radeon 9800 with MCE 2005...

As someone else mentioned, using the VGA input is problematic. In 1280x768 it usually works fine, but sometimes it looks blocky.

Yeah, I got the blockiness in that res. occasionally with VGA. Just flip to another input and back again and it clears up.


In 1360x768 it almost always looks blocky, a couple of times it looked ok, but it had about a 1/2" wide black bar on the left edge of the screen.

That's interesting. Using component out (radeon) 1360x768 looks great! I can't get it to work on the VGA though.


As for other issues, I've noticed the aspect ratio getting stuck on some channels as well (Jay Leno sticks on 4x3 for me, dunno about other NBC programs,)

The only time I get a ratio stuck is on HD channels. They pick their own format and there's no way to change it...using component, anyway. I had it hooked up via DVI once, but I didn't like the output from the cable box in HDMI so I switched back to component.

I will have to try hooking the computer up via component. Maybe that will take care of getting 1360x768 to work until I get around to sending this back for warranty service.

Im interested in the new version of this TV. There is a new thread on it. Please let me know if you have any input on the new NIKO SV3206.

Thank you.

I'm looking at this model too...if anyone has any info/reviews on it, please help

It is a great TV when it works.

But mine stop working properly right after the warranty expired.

It feels like they setup time bomb inside the TV

I try to contact Niko but so far no one replies my email or answers my phone

$800 for just over a year. This is the most expensive electronic I ever bought.

This is how my TV look like now

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1110/789988677_86f4b90574_o.jpg

Can anyone help me solve my problem.

And sorry for the consective short post. I can not post image unless I have 5 posts.

I had this TV for exactly 1 year and 11 months. The screen is dead. It is out of warranty.

The screen just became blank, nothing shows up, no blue text, no menu. But the audio comes out fine, so the TV tuner is working. I guess either the LCD backlight is dead, or the inverter card is bad. (It might cost less to change the inverter card.) Anyone has similar problems?

Yes. That is what just happened to mine. I bought 2 HDTVs about the same time. One from Costco, and the other from Tiger Direct. This is the one that is currently lacking a warranty. I may just be S.O.L.

No response from NIKO.

Poop.

Yes. That is what just happened to mine. I bought 2 HDTVs about the same time. One from Costco, and the other from Tiger Direct. This is the one that is currently lacking a warranty. I may just be S.O.L.

No response from NIKO.

Poop.
You may already know this, but I just found out today that Niko is now part of Viewtek, and sent e-mail to their support. My tv looks just like jackcpsu's from time to time. Will let you know if there's any response.

Same issue is starting to occur with mine. The tv picture is beginning to look just like the photo above. I took it to my a local tv repairperson and he told me that the lcd circuit board is dying. Only problem is that he is not able to find any parts for it, he's called all of his suppliers and nobody has Niko parts. I called Viewtek, who took over Niko, and they said that they are no longer making parts for the OTP-3211W, but will gladly offer me a "special discount" on a new model. Wow, what a great deal! Bought this TV a year and a half, its now dead and you don't make parts, but I can buy a new one from your s**tty company!! Where do I sign up for that? I called buy.com, who I bought it from, obviously they can't do anything because it's out of warranty and I don't have an extended warranty. Didn't even offer me any sort of "coupon" or "deal" on anything new. I guess I'm screwed. Just be warned if you have this model and it's working well now, might want to regulate it to your guest room or keep it as some sort of backup so it doesn't die on you as quickly. I also logged a FTC consumer complaint as well.

My father bought this POS approx. a year and a half ago from Tiger Direct. After a year and a few months or so, it started shutting down. My father is an electronics guru and determined that after putting a couple of CPU heatsinks on the back of one of the aluminum heatsinks, it started working again. A few months later, the speakers stopped working, the audio out still works, and we plugged in some external speakers. He soon got tired of this junk and bought a new tv.

I tried to talk him into a nice Panny, Samsung, or something similar, but he really liked the price on this tv.

Has anyone ever found a source for parts?

Just a long-overdue update on my issue (as this thread seems to have been revived somewhat recently,) the DVI issue I had was not a failure, it was a compatibility problem.
My TV seems to dislike nVidia cards. I've run the TV on 3 different ATI cards now (9600 pro, x1300 and now 4850,) and it's worked great at 1360x768. On 2 similar nVidia cards (7600 GS and 7600 GT,) I got nothing at all through DVI at various different resolutions (VGA, 1280x720, 1024x768 and 1360x768.)
I guess mine is an exception to be still working right after over 2 years :P


One question, has anyone with this TV run it from an HDMI device with an HDMI->DVI adapter? I'm concerned that the encoded sound will screw it up, seeing as that's not part of the DVI spec.
My plan is to do HTPC (with HDMI audio of the 4850) to AVR to the display.
Thanks.

One question, has anyone with this TV run it from an HDMI device with an HDMI->DVI adapter? I'm concerned that the encoded sound will screw it up, seeing as that's not part of the DVI spec.
My plan is to do HTPC (with HDMI audio of the 4850) to AVR to the display.
Thanks.

I have being using a NIKO OTP 3211W with a DISH network 211 receiver. HDMI out of the 211 to a DVI adapter into the NIKO. The sound is thru the analog out puts of the 211 into the NIKO. Works fine.

I bought the NIKO from Tiger Direct in March of 2006. No problems yet.

Do not buy this LCD TV, I purchased through QVC 2 years ago, in less than 1 1/2 it started not working correct? Picture would come and go, at time it would not turn on at all.

Two years old and now it's dead, can you believe it had a 30 day warranty, which no one could find this out, no phone numbers in the manual. I called and was told to take it to a local dealer - no one wanted to look at it. Then I called yesterday and was told this model is obsolete, isn't that great news. I am now fighting with QVC and I am out 836.00. DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM IT IS JUNK, AND THEY DON'T STAND BY THERE PRODUCTS.

I know this is an old topic, but my Niko is about to be tossed out the door (for the second time in 3 years). Just after a year of owning the unit, the power supply went bad. I reluctantly had it replaced for $250 and it worked fine up until recently. Now the entire picture comes and goes and when this is happening the remote is totally unresponsive. Usually turning the power on and off will correct it, but I doubt it will last much longer.

I also know this is an old topic, but ran across it looking for the spec weight of this TV.


I've owned mine for over 3 years now its still going strong. Definitely love that I bought this TV when others of it's kind were 1400-1600 bones. (twice what I paid!) Yes, there are quirks. The IR sensor is kind of annoying and the auto scaling thing getting stuck can be annoying.

But I just wanted to jump in here and say that not everyone are having these issues.

Remember, for every 1 person who complains about a product on a forum, there are 20 more out there who have no issues at all. (people tend to only be vocal when things aren't going their way.)

I can second that ^

I got one in 2006 and it's still going strong. I actually just sold it to a friend of mine who uses it strictly for gaming. He loves it.

Echo boylez and tephlon. Complainers are just 20x louder than happy owners. Mine is 3 1/2 years old, and kicking a$$. Still the best sounding tv that I have ever owned. When wall mounted, the bass reflecting off the wall is full, and doesn't crackle. One step shy of deep and rich, but almost there. Highs are clear, without being sharp. Mids are clear. A million inputs.

The IR sensor and lack of codes are minor cons. Buy a Harmony remote on sale, my 610 has the correct remote code.

Buy a used OTP3211W!