Help choosing between A Sony w Lcd and a Vizio

[TheFactor]

My choices are either Vizio XVT 47" SV470 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV or the Sony Bravia 46" KDL46W4100 120HZ 1080p LCD HDTV . Its going in either my spare room or bed room for a conservative HT setup and I can get the Sony for around 1500 and the Vizio for around 1200. I'd be more comfortable spending 1200 and just wondering if the extra amount would be worth it or if im just paying for the Sony name . I've heard some good things about the Vizio. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[strube]

I suggest also considering a Samsung of similar size and performance for the same price as the Sony - When I was TV shopping last year, I looked at Sony and Samsung (proper calibration aside - I think Samsung has superior calibration straight from the box, but the Sony may match it once properly calibrated ) and found the Samsung had a better overall picture quality. I find they also have more features/connections than the competing Sony. The Samsung has 545 reviews on Amazon and has 5 stars:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN46A650-46-Inch-1080p-120Hz/dp/B001413D94/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1229843666&sr=1-1

I have also found it frustrating from recent experience with 4 Sony displays that they don't allow you to change aspect ratios on higher resolution signals, and it really pisses me off when I want to watch an upscaled letterbox-format DVD that I have to watch it with black borders all around . I have also heard of quite a few quality control issues with the particular Bravia model you were looking at, as well as very disappointing viewing angles compared to most competitors.

I would personally choose the Samsung over the Sony and Vizio, and probably the Vizio over the Sony - I always considered Vizio sort of the Walmart brand of HDTVs in terms of product quality, but I don't really know if that is a fair statement because I have never dealt with one. They are probably all 1-year, but I would check the warranty length on all your options as well.


Hope this helps, and good luck TV shopping!

 

[JP1221]

Sony or Samsung

I own the Sony KDL52W4100 and am extremely happy with it. I'm sure the 46" model is just as good. The picture is gorgeous (especially when watching Blu-Ray movies) and has a nice-looking and easy to use interface (it is the same XMB setup used by the PS3). No complaints in the three months I have owned it.

I have also seen numerous Samsung LCD TV's while shopping that had outstanding picture quality. They also seem to receive great reviews from both pros and people who own them.

I personally would stay away from the Vizio. They seem very second-rate and are not a "proven" entity like Sony, Samsung, Sharp, Pioneer, etc.

Good luck in your search!!!

 

[TheFactor]

Thanks for your input everyone, I saw another LCD that was a pretty good deal and it was the Samsung 40" LN40A550 1080p LCD HDTV but it wasn't the 120 that I beleive is for motion blurr, I didnt really notice any on the one I was watching but it was a slower paced movie too. What do you guys think of this one ? I can get this one for around 900 dollars but the other down side is its only a 40 inch but it might be ok since it will be going in a smaller room.

 

[strube]

Thanks for your input everyone, I saw another LCD that was a pretty good deal and it was the Samsung 40" LN40A550 1080p LCD HDTV but it wasn't the 120 that I beleive is for motion blurr, I didnt really notice any on the one I was watching but it was a slower paced movie too. What do you guys think of this one ? I can get this one for around 900 dollars but the other down side is its only a 40 inch but it might be ok since it will be going in a smaller room.

Sports is where the motion blur becomes an issue for most people, so if you are planning on watching lots of HD sports, I would go with the 650 series. Otherwise, I think you would be perfectly happy without it. I don't watch HD sports, so I have the 120Hz Auto Motion Plus shut off on my TV because it looks more natural, and wouldn't want to watch movies any other way (even fast action ones look great to me without it). The 120Hz is really just a frame interpolation performed by the TV processor so that you don't notice motion blur, so it is somewhat artificial-looking IMHO.

 

[TheFactor]

Sports is where the motion blur becomes an issue for most people, so if you are planning on watching lots of HD sports, I would go with the 650 series. Otherwise, I think you would be perfectly happy without it. I don't watch HD sports, so I have the 120Hz Auto Motion Plus shut off on my TV because it looks more natural, and wouldn't want to watch movies any other way (even fast action ones look great to me without it). The 120Hz is really just a frame interpolation performed by the TV processor so that you don't notice motion blur, so it is somewhat artificial-looking IMHO.

What do you think of the Sharp ? In this model thay have a special going and you get free Sharp blu-ray player with it "Sharp AQUOS 46" LC46D65U 1080p Black LCD" . I know Home Theatre mag. rated the 52inch with the 120 though as one of there mid priced LCD picKs .

 

[strube]

What do you think of the Sharp ? In this model thay have a special going and you get free Sharp blu-ray player with it "Sharp AQUOS 46" LC46D65U 1080p Black LCD" . I know Home Theatre mag. rated the 52inch with the 120 though as one of there mid priced LCD picKs .

Sharp was the first to have a true affordable mainstream LCD HDTV AFAIK. Their displays have a decent reputation, and I don't think you would be unhappy with it, and a free blu-ray player is quite a deal too!

 

[TheFactor]

Sharp was the first to have a true affordable mainstream LCD HDTV AFAIK. Their displays have a decent reputation, and I don't think you would be unhappy with it, and a free blu-ray player is quite a deal too!

Hmm I might have to look into it on monday a little more, we might have a winner here

 

[TheFactor]

Ok so now I have to decide if I go with the Sharp is do I get the 52inch without the 120 or a 46 with it, since there both at a price I can afford and dont want to go any higher, there only within a 100 dollars apart . I dont watch sports to much but I do enjoy fast paced action movies

 

[sholling]

Amazon has the Samsung LN46A650 (120hz) for under $1500 delivered. But it depends on what it's for. For the master bedroom or a "sports overflow room" I'd splurge on the Samsung picture. For a spare room/kids room I'd probably save a few bucks. What you're going to lose with the Visio is the quality of the video processing. But to be honest I have a 37" Visio in my bedroom and I'm quite content for movies and TV.

 

[TheFactor]

Amazon has the Samsung LN46A650 (120hz) for under $1500 delivered. But it depends on what it's for. For the master bedroom or a "sports overflow room" I'd splurge on the Samsung picture. For a spare room/kids room I'd probably save a few bucks. What you're going to lose with the Visio is the quality of the video processing. But to be honest I have a 37" Visio in my bedroom and I'm quite content for movies and TV.

Im leaning now towards the Sharp in either the 46 or 52 inch but ya im thinking now spare room since I rarely watch tv in bed and might turn the spare room into a modest HT Room .

 

[sholling]

Im leaning now towards the Sharp in either the 46 or 52 inch but ya im thinking now spare room since I rarely watch tv in bed and might turn the spare room into a modest HT Room .

I'm on the same page about watching TV in bed. It's a pretty rare thing for me to watch more than a half hour a night. I got the 37" mainly for the rare times I'm down with the flu.

Anyway this is probably old news and long ago fixed but I seem to remember something about banding issues with Sharps. Just something to research before plunking down plastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV5iv5TIT-M

 

[TheFactor]

That banding issue has me worried, I might have to change directions.

 

[TheFactor]

The Verdict is in..... I ended up going with a Samsung 40" LN40A550 1080p LCD . After carefull comsideration even though its a little smaller than I wanted the picture is incredible and fits nicely in my budget. Thanks everyone for all your input and help. Oh and because I spent less then I planned I went a head and picked up a samsung blu-ray player to. Hopefully I'll have everything delivered by the end of the week Thanks again !!

 

[TheFactor]

Just got my sammy today and wow the Colors are so vibrant and im just running a coaxial cable wright now and the picture is absolutely stunning wright out of the box . I cant even imagine when I run a HDMI and a blu-ray player . Whats really shocking is how big the 40 inch looks in my bedroom, I was a little concerned but its the perfect size for the area .ITS REALLY a beautiful looking LCD with its piano black frame and stand that swivels along with the piano black remote it really looks top knotch from the feel and looks of the remote/TV to the performance of this LCD . Im really liking the sammy THANKS all for the help in choosing

 

[TheFactor]

Heres just a quick pic of the remote and of the picture just on digital cable

 

[strube]

I think you made a great choice, and given your situation it is the same one I would have. Congrats on the new TV!

 

[TheFactor]

I think you made a great choice, and given your situation it is the same one I would have. Congrats on the new TV!

Thanks and thankyou again for your advice , they were very good points that you made and weighed heavily on my desicion .

 

[Swerve]

My brother bought this TV for his bedroom, while on his quest for his living room TV. This TV is actually now in his living room because he loves it so much. It's a bit small for his living room, but he's so impressed with it, as am I!

Great choice.

 

[TheFactor]

My brother bought this TV for his bedroom, while on his quest for his living room TV. This TV is actually now in his living room because he loves it so much. It's a bit small for his living room, but he's so impressed with it, as am I!

Great choice.

Thanks im really liking mine, Im thinking about turning my bedroom into a mini HT room lol and hook my polk front and center speakers, some Boses cubes for the rear with a Yamaha receiver I've got laying around. It should go well with My sony 550 thats on its way . Originally I just wanted something basic for my bedroom so I might as well sweeten the pie with some better tunes