Vizio HDTV - Deal Or No Deal?
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On 11-18-08 I wrote an article [here] about some buying tips for purchasing a HDTV this holiday season. One of the comments I received from Carolyn M., praised the Vizio HDTV’s she owned. I have seen the Vizio sets in Wal-Mart and have noted the inexpensive pricing for the sets, whether they be plasma’s of LCD’s.
So with this in mind, I roamed around the Internet to see what comments were being made about the Vizio models. But first, a little history about the Vizio company. Vizio is located in Irvine, CA. and during the past few years has made quite a name for themselves in the HDTV market by offering their sets to companies such as WalMart, Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale, Sears, Circuit City, Dell and Target stores nationwide along with authorized online partners. The company basically assembles parts from various suppliers and than distributes the assembled sets to the stores and partners listed above.
On the Vizio site they provide they following warranty information:
VIZIO provides a “ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY” (measured from the date of retail purchase) against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship to the original purchaser of a new VIZIO display obtained from an authorized VIZIO U.S. reseller and used in the fifty (50) United States or Puerto Rico. If the display fails to conform to this limited warranty, VIZIO will, at its option and sole discretion, repair or replace the display.
In addition Vizio offers on site warranty coverage as well for certain models:
On-Site Warranty Repair generally, but not always, is performed on displays which are thirty (30) inches and larger.
Here is what I also learned about the cost of extended warranties. For sets under $1,000 retailers charge the following: Over at Sears they wanted $299 for a 3 year extended protection plan and Best wanted $199.99 for 4 years of protection. The best extended warranty, IMHO, is from Wal-Mart. They offer a 3 year exnted warranty for only $88.33. Or a 2 year extended warranty for only $59.88.
Wal-Mart also offers a 42″ Vizio Plasma 720p HDTV for $697.00. I just purchased a Panasonic Plasma 720p HDTV from Amazon for $765 with free shipping and no tax. So comparing the two models they are priced competitively when you add tax to the Visio model.
Oh, there is one difference. Contrast ratio. The Vizio is 30,000 to 1. The Panny is 1,000,000 to 1. This is just something to keep in mind when you go shopping. I also noticed that the 42″ Samsung Plasma being offered on turkey day at K-Mart is the older model last 3 digits are 400 with a lower contrast than the 450 model. So watch what you buy.
So share your opinion with us if you own a Vizio, Samsung or Panasonic plasma or LCD HDTV. Share your experiences with us, whether bad or good.
Comments welcome.
13 Comments
GiM
November 20th, 2008
at 5:23pm
Well, you said “Oh, there is one difference. Contrast ratio. The Vizio is 30,000 to 1. The Panny is 1,000,000 to 1.”
1,000,000 to 1, do you means is a CRT technology?
I don’t believe also in 30,000 to 1 if its not CRT.
Ron Schenone
November 20th, 2008
at 5:41pm
Here is the description of the Panasonic:
Technical Details
* 1024 x 768 Resolution
* 1000000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio for the Brightest whites and darkest blacks
* 4096 Shades of Gradation for spectacular Color Reproduction
* Viera LinK™ HDAVI Control lets you operate all of your home theater components by pressing a single button on your TV’s remote control
* GalleryPlayer® allows you to enjoy the world’s finest high definition art and photography on your Panasonic HD plasma TV
Linked here:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Viera-TH-42PX80U-42-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00142HLV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1227227952&sr=1-1
GiM
November 22nd, 2008
at 12:13pm
Sorry Ron, please do not believe all you are reading. And I do not speak of SF novels or different religions.
I remember reading in newspapers that light travel at 2,000 or 2,000,000 mph… I become aware that not all people having access to publishing have also the competence, or that they should verify the content or the typing.
Do not forget they are Marketing and Sales people, they are able to prove anything they want. In the “right” conditions, with they having the definition of what it mens… For me, IT IS NORMAL. Beeing a tech guy, I know something is missing. Like this contrast ratio is right in true darkness, but if you lit a candle it will drop to 30,000 and in daily ambient light at only 5,000…
Ron Schenone
November 22nd, 2008
at 2:50pm
GiM,
Do you mean the marketing and sales people would lie? I am in shock!
Thanks for pointing this out. I thought it might be slightly hyped. Samsung is doing the same thing as well with their plasma HDTV’s.
fds
November 28th, 2008
at 6:40pm
Don’t buy vizio! I owned one LCD 37” that last a little more than a year. Wasted $600
James A.
November 30th, 2008
at 3:13pm
You said you were going to scour the net for comments on VIZIO’s but say you wanted to do a little history first. I do not see anything more to this article other than warranty info. Where is the info you compiled based on what you found on the net? thanks
Ron Schenone
November 30th, 2008
at 6:57pm
Hello James A.,
The comments I referred to are located at Wal-Mart.
james A
November 30th, 2008
at 7:37pm
thank you Ron. I was looking for more info I guess. I am really interested in Vizio but get concerned when I read horror stories. Of course I am sure I can find similiar stories for all co’s. I also know that many people knock Vizio who never owned one. Some people have to justify what they paid for the “name” brands and feel they have to knock the new guy in town.
Ron Schenone
December 1st, 2008
at 9:09am
Hello james A,
I agree with your assessment. Some people just like to talk to hear themselves speak.
Take a look at the Vizio reviews over at Amazon at this link. Note the LCD’s are rated high while the plasmas have a lower rating. I have seen the Vizio LCD’s on display and they have a very good picture.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=vizio+televisions&x=0&y=0
SamPage
December 3rd, 2008
at 11:53am
I have several Vizio models and agree with Carolyn who originally responded. Their technology has been continually improving - i really like the green ECO that just came out http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20241117…) and with the VP505XVT with HQV processing they are pushing the envelope. I think a lot of people are just hung up on names and brands and don’t care to do their research. Vizio is event texting people about sales and new products. You certainly don’t see other companies helping you find the best deal!
I signed up by texting VIZIO to 67463. very covenient.
Ron Schenone
December 3rd, 2008
at 2:45pm
SamPage,
Thanks for the information.
Max
January 3rd, 2009
at 5:23pm
I am so un-impressed with VIZIO’s service. They do not respond to emails and are not very friendly when calling and also not very helpful via the phone. Their products may be ok, I do not know but I am not even giving them the chance due to their lack of support and help before the sale. If they are this horrible before the sale it would only be worse after the sale if I would have a problem. I really wanted to like this new company but they really need to learn to put the customer first.
Forrest Saucier
October 14th, 2009
at 8:21am
A couple things to remember, guys.
ONE, there is no industry standard for contrast ratios. 30,000:1 in one brand could be the exact same TV at 1,000,000:1 in another. Every vendor does their own.
I hate vizio as much as the next home theatre salesperson, but it’s possible they have a comparable unit somewhere based on that.
TWO, Comparing extended warranties by price is idiotic. The service gaurantees, people doing service, and conditions of coverage are different at every single retailer.
Check out information on Best Buy’s Black Tie Protection - while moderately priced it covers SURGE and PIXEL OUTTAGE universally. Additionally, Best Buy’s own geek squad does the service in-home whenever possible - skipping the trouble of you dealing with Joe Blow’s Basement TV repair.
know your facts.