This 47-inch 1080p LCD comes from one of Olevia's high-end lines.  It was first released in 2006, but is still available.  The company has yet to bring follow-up lines to market, probably because parent company Syntax-Brillian recently filed for bankruptcy.  This LCD has an eight-millisecond response time and uses Silicon Optix's Realta HQV video-processing chip.  The connection panel, while solid at the time of the TV's original release, is now a little lean on the HDMI end.  You get two HDMI, two component video and one PC input, as well as two RF inputs to access the internal NTSC, ATSC and Clear-QAM tuners.  The HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 signals.  Picture-in-picture functionality is available.  An RS-232 port allows you to integrate the TV into an advanced control system, but the TV does not offer any special media-friendly ports, such as a card reader or media-enabled USB port.  There is a USB port on the back panel, but it is used only for firmware updates.

Additional Resources
• Read more LCD HDTV reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore Blu-ray options in our Blu-ray Player Review section.

The 747i has a solid but not extensive amount of picture adjustments, presented in a prism-shaped menu system that is very frustrating to navigate.  The 747i offers seven preset input modes that are set up based on the type of source you connect, such as interlaced DVD, progressive DVD, high-def TV, etc. This LCD's backlight has only three steps, which is limited compared with others on the market.  Five color temperature options are available, including two user modes that provide access to white-balance controls; however, you don't get the gamma correction, multiple color spaces or advanced color management you find on other higher-end LCDs.  There are six aspect-ratio options, including a mode to view 1080i/1080p signals with no overscan.

At 143 pounds, the 747i is awfully heavy for a 47-inch LCD.  Some of that heft is owed to the bulky speaker panels, which can be attached to the bottom or sides of the cabinet or removed entirely.  A subwoofer output is included to send bass to an external subwoofer.  In addition to basic bass, treble and balance adjustments, the audio menu offers eight preset iDIVA sound modes, a DeepBass setting, AutoAlign to "elevate the audio image," WideSound to create a more expansive stereo sound field and HDMI lip sync.

Read more about the 747i on Page 2.
High Points
- The TV's excellent detail, accurate color and
good processing combine to produce a very attractive image with HD
sources, and the TV does a good job of up-converting SD content.
• Its excellent light output makes it an especially good fit for a really bright viewing environment.
• Positioning of the speaker panel is flexible.

Low Points
• The TV's black level is somewhat high, so the picture doesn't have as much depth and richness in a dark room.
• The 747i lacks 120Hz technology, and motion blur can be an issue with faster-moving content.
• It only has two HDMI inputs.
• The menu is difficult to navigate, and the TV is very heavy for an LCD.

Conclusion
At
the time of its release, the 747i put Olevia on the map as a serious
LCD maker; yet, while other big-name manufacturers are releasing new
models with better performance, features and connectivity, Olevia has
stalled, and the company's future is in doubt.  Still, the 747i is a
good all-around performer that you can now find at a reasonable price,
if you're willing to take the risk.

Additional Resources
• Read more LCD HDTV reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore Blu-ray options in our Blu-ray Player Review section.