Syntax Olevia 30" LCD: Cheap, Robust and Exceptional

Signal Processors

Recall the almighty signal processor that we talked about during our Albatron LWX-30AMS review? Unfortunately, the Albatron LCD TV used an obscure, under-powered signal chipset as a transitional chip before adopting a much more capable PixelWorks processor. Syntax looks as if they got it right on the first try, going with the PW181 DSP. PixelWorks' website has more information on the chip. Essentially, the PW181 acts as the CPU for the LCD, pulling the functions of the other chipsets on the LCD into one signal relayed directly into the panel.

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Below, you can catch a glimpse at Silicon Image's HDCP receiver. Obviously, the processor is not capable of 1080p, but 720p and 1080i are fully supported.

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And below is the analog counterpart of the HDCP receiver from Analog Devices.

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Pulldown, interlacing, and Macrovision are all processed on this chip below. In the bottom left corner of the image, you can also see Fujitsu's logo on an IC.

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For the most part, the remainder of the ICs on the board control analog TV switching, cable TV processing, and audio processing. There is not a dedicated audio DSP like the SRS-WOW found on the Albatron LWX-30AMS.