Various pre-defined sound modes are available, such as rock or jazz, but we found the user-defined setting was the most effective at delivering the best strong bass and a fat sound. Neither the V nor VX model appeared to have a screen setting that would allow us to turn the screen off while still listening to sound - or digital radio channels in the VX's case - which is becoming a more common feature with some TV manufacturers.
Evesham 26in Alqemi VX HD TV
Image quality is where the V and VX models start to differ, despite the comparable specs. Surprisingly, the V, the cheaper of the two, gave us the best picture quality. It provided sharp and pristine viewing to the extent that individual hairs on King Kong's enormous arms visibly waived in the breeze as he shuffled though the jungle to collect Naomi Watts from her suspended sacrificial state. The Alqemi VX, though, gave Watts' normally flawless complexion a slightly peppered look and reduced Jack Black to a washed out (or should that be washed up?) shade of white.
Contrast, unfortunately then went on to be a recurring problem for both sets, with blacks lacking true depth and whites appearing too harsh. This problem has also been noted on Evesham's 32in Alqemi TX model, reviewed here.
While the Alqemi V is capable of displaying HD sources in exceptional quality the VX model in good(ish) quality, both still require the colour setting to be set at the maximum level before a vaguely natural image is displayed, especially when showing faces.
COMMENTS
The traditional cry rings out...
Did you try DVD upscaling, and how good was it, and what DVD player did you uuuuuse?
6 years and counting...
It's too early anyway, but it amazes me that 6 years after buying my current telly (Sony KV29FX60, 4:3) I cannot find a replacement that comes near the old CRTs picture quality. It's the same old thing after many generations of LCD technology - blacks that are more like dark blue, harsh whites, slow tuners, poor UIs etc. etc. I'm going ot wait until there has been real progress. Maybe SEDs are the answer?
Maybe poorly set up at the factory?
The last two TVs I bought left the factory maladjusted (both for geometry and colour). My small sample may be unrepresentative, but I would not be surprised to find that if access to the engineer set-up on the sets was available one could obtain identical and satisfactory colours on both Evesham models.
Watt?
In the interest of Greenness, and saving
some pounds off our electric bills, could you not supply
the power consumption of these things as well as the price?
