US-based Syntax-Brillian announced the availability of Olevia-brand LCD TVs in Taiwan in sizes ranging from 32 to 47 inches.

Priced from NT$25,900-94,900 (US$786-2,881), the Olevia TVs are targeting the high-end market, the company said. Kolin-Denon Entertainment, a subsidiary of Taiwan Kolin and Nippon Denon, will be in charge of marketing and sales of Olevia TVs in the local market. Kolin manufactures Olevia TVs for Syntax-Brillian.

The Olevia TVs for the Taiwan market feature refresh rate of 120Hz and use panels from LG.Philips LCD.The US-based display company expects to ship 20,000 LCD TVs locally this year, grabbing 2.5% of the market.
In Asia, Syntax-Brillian already markets Olevia TVs in China and the maker ranked seventh with a 4.9% share in China in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The US-based company is now developing 65-inch LCD TVs and will target the US market initially in the third quarter of 2007. The 65-inch LCD TV, using panels from Sharp, will also hit the Taiwan market by year-end.

Kolin said the new competition from Syntax-Brillian will not hurt its own-brand business in Taiwan, as Kolin's TVs will target the commodity market while Olevia-branded TVs are for the high-end home theater market. 

Olevia's Taiwan office will oversee all operations for Olevia in the Asia-Pacific region including the Olevia brand's current presence in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Philippines, as well as other locations to be developed in the future, the company said.

The US-based company aims to ship 12-14 million LCD TVs worldwide in 2007, said James Li, president and COO of Syntax-Brillian.

Taiwan market: Olevia LCD TV product line
Model name	532-B52	537-B52	542-B51	747-H
Size (inch)	32	37	42	47
Resolution	1,366x768	1,366x768	1,366x768	1,920x1,080
Contrast ratio	800:01:00	800:01:00	1,600:1	1,600:1
Brightness (nits)	500	500	500	550
Viewing angle (H/V)	178/178	178/178	178/178	178/178
Pricing (NT$)	25,900	39,900	49,900	94,900