Vizio brand TV's??

[metro]

Not sure why this got moved to Best and Worst, I was just asking advice on one particular brand, not looking for comparisons. After extensively shopping around in store and online, I bought a Insignia (made my LG, BB's house brand) 32" plasma. It was their floor model so I got a great deal, even better than WalMarts vizio, even though 32" Vizio was the winner in the latest Consumer Reports for overall value and performance. The Insignia was right below it in the rankings and I got it cheaper and it has a digital audio out and one more HDMI input than the Vizio. Anyone have any cheap HDMI cable's laying around they want to sell?

[Martin]

^
if you want a cheap (yet reliable) hdmi cable, check out monoprice.com.

-M

[Insider]

Also check out meritline.com. They have killer deals on HDMI cables.

[traxx]

Vizio isn't what it was several years ago, it's better and getting better. If you're not a stickler for superb quality, then it's a good tv at a good price.

Checking out reviews at consumerreports.org and cnet.com is a good idea. However, often times the model they reviewed can no longer be found due to the fast pace of the electronics world. Once a product gets reviewed they come out with a model about a half step different.

As said before, don't get hung up on the 1080p thing if you're buying a tv of 42" or less. Someone said they could tell the difference between 720p and 1080i on a 42" but that's not the same as the difference between 720p and 1080p. 1080i is always going to look worse on and LCD or Plasma tv because they are natively progressive scan meaning that in order to show an interlaced image it has to process the image and come as close as it can to displaying an interlaced image since it is not really possible for it to truly display an interlaced image.

I'd stay away from the 120Hz TVs as well as many people are bothered by the unnatural movement because of the fast refresh rate. It may not bother you but many people have described it as being like watching one of the old 18 frame per second film at 24 frames per second.

Like was said before, don't get hung up on brand names. Sony is not as solid as it once was, they tend to be more hit and miss. Also, don't pay as much attention to the specs either. I bought an LG over a Toshiba that had a much better contrast ratio but when I got it home it looked bad. I took it back to Circuit City and got the Toshiba and have been happy ever since.

Trust your eyes. And don't be afraid to take it back if it doesn't meet expectations. Also, don't be taken in by their pitch for cords. Their margin on TVs is very slim but they make up for it by selling you an $8 hdmi cable for $60. Try this site instead: monoprice.com My collegues and family have been very happy with their products, prices and quick delivery.

If you don't want to make the jump to HD on Cox or Dish or whatever you have just yet, you can get HD free over the air for the local stations. If you live close enough to the towers a set of rabbit ears is all you need. I live a little farther out so I bought a directional antenna from Philips for $40 and it works great. A little trick I learned, if you get a directional indoor antenna, lay it on it's side and you will get better reception. I was a amazed my signal strength went up from mid 60s/low 70s to mid 80s/low 90s.

[Architect2010]

I have a 47" 1080p Vizio Gallevia in my room.

Its amazing. If your playing the PS3 or XBOX360 via HDMI, the picture is amazing.
HD channels are great too, as long as the channels are REAL HD and not upconverted or stretched.

Vizio has great performance for the price. Its a bargain for sure.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

^
if you want a cheap (yet reliable) hdmi cable, check out monoprice.com.

-M

X2...I've gotten quite a bit of stuff from there, and saved hundreds of bucks on my wiring.

Last time I got something from them...I got 4 six foot HDMI cables shipped to my door for under $20.

[otis]

Bought my son a Vizio 36 inch from Big Lots about a year and half ago. It was refurbished something about the programming was messed up and they had to repair that. It has been a really nice TV for my son.
We have a gaming console; computer and internet run through his system. The speakers are crap, had to hook up surround sound and turn off the TV’s noise, can’t just mute it or you have a little mute symbol on the screen all the time.
Since he got the TV it pretty much runs about 10 to 12 hours a day.
As far as HD goes I really can’t tell the difference from it and a regular TV. Husband says he can see a difference with the HD and the new blue ray.

Good picture
Crap speakers
Sturdy remote control, not a cheap one
Puts off quite a bit of heat
Easy to hook things into (computers, games consoles, Cable or Satellite, DVD players)
TV will sway back an forth just a bit if bumper if using the stand, but I am guessing they all do.

Hope this helps
Otis

[dismayed]

There is a vendor on Amazon that sells new HDMI cables for $2 a piece. Definitely don't buy the $100 name brand cables, that is simply pure marketing.