Anyone ever hear of the Niko OTP-3211W 32" HDTV-LCD? - Page 4

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?

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.

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.

does this unit have tilt or height adjustments ?

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).

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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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 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!

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.

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!

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

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.