32" Vizio

[Leal]

$547.99, 1080p

Would this be a good buy, for my bedroom?
I thought the picture was nice, and in my price range.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

 

[jamie2112]

If you like it buy it.It doesn't matter what anyone but you thinks about it. If it meets your criteria then by all means buy it and enjoy it......Just don't buy any Bozo speakers or Nonster cables and you will be fine........

 

[vizionut]

I have had no problem with my vizio Its a couple of years old hooked up to a hd box

 

[rekced]

$547.99, 1080p

Would this be a good buy, for my bedroom?
I thought the picture was nice, and in my price range.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

I'd go for a Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000 ANY DAY over the Vizio. Why would I choose that over the Vizio? Because from the distance you'll be sitting (more than 4' I assume) you will never see the difference in resolution between 720p and 1080p, but all the other characteristics of the of the picture will still be very visible. That includes viewing angle, black level, color depth, etc. The Sony will out perform the 1080p Vizio for your application without question. Plus it's less expensive and is likely to be more reliable.


Q: "But, but, but isn't 1080p the way everything is going?"

A: Sure, I guess. But if you can't see the difference in clarity from just the additional resolution (assuming both are running 1080p sources) who cares? This is why I stress the point at looking at the overall package you're getting in depth and applying it to your application instead of looking at superficial numbers of technology types at the risk of being mislead into spending more money than you need to on an inferior picture. That is what most consumers do. Some end up doing well and others really get burned.

I assume you're shopping at Costco and noticed the enticing price of the VO37LF but weren't sure about the brand. Do yourself a favor and at least consider the equivalent Sony to the one I mentioned (Costco sells "wholesale/big box" versions of the mainstream models - nothing wrong with 'em) or the Samsung LN32B540 ($30 less than the Sony with inferior sound). Five years down the road the Sony will still have the better picture, regardless of how amped you might be to get a 1080p display.

 

[itschris]

At my SAM's they have 3 different 36" models for under $600. I don't think you make a mistake with any TV you get at that price range since they're all fairly solid no frills tv's. The only thing I would say is that I've heard... no first hand knowledge... just heard that the Visio's don't do well over time. They have power supply and pq issues... so just take that for what it's worth.

 

[fast1]

depends... how big is your bedroom?

 

[DaleAV]

Leaning toward the Samsung myself, after doing some window shopping. Hard to get the real lowdown in a showrooms, but it appears the Vizio does not do as well with SD sources.
It is not bad, but the Samsung & Panasonic I've seen appear to do a better job. If you watch very little SD, especially very few broadcasts, that should not be an issue.
Given a good HD source, all these guys look pretty damn good. I've read the Vizio tuner is not as sensitive though.
Not knocking it, really. They do a commendable job for the price. If I did a fair amount of PC work on my TV and sit up close, I could go for the 1080p Vizio. Quite a bargain!

 

[Shock]

VIZIO
39 Tesla
Irvine, CA 92618
Tel: 949.428.2525

Support the American company imo.

 

[Exit]

$547.99, 1080p

Would this be a good buy, for my bedroom?
I thought the picture was nice, and in my price range.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

You might find a good deal on a Vizio or comparable TV on slickdeals.net. If you can track the site for a few weeks you will probably find your deal. Vizios seem to get a thumbs up rating there while RCA, Proscan and Westinghouse have been getting a thumbs down. I have seen some 32" 1080P TVs for about the $350 range.

 

[DaleAV]

VIZIO
39 Tesla
Irvine, CA 92618
Tel: 949.428.2525

Support the American company imo.

That's a good point. Given 2 that meet my requirements I would easily go with the American Co. Oppo Digital also being an American Co. come to think of it.

Of course, if you took any of the big names, Panasonic, Samsug or Sony..any of them easily created a thousand jobs in the USA...against the 100 or so at Vizio or Oppo. But Vizio IS an American company, and your point is well taken.

 

[j_garcia]

That's a good point. Given 2 that meet my requirements I would easily go with the American Co. Oppo Digital also being an American Co. come to think of it.

Of course, if you took any of the big names, Panasonic, Samsug or Sony..any of them easily created a thousand jobs in the USA...against the 100 or so at Vizio or Oppo. But Vizio IS an American company, and your point is well taken.

Visio is technically not an American company. ALL of the major display companies have facilities in the US, but the products are all manufactured overseas. There are NO volume production LCD factories in the US. The last I knew Visio was a 2nd teir manufacturer which means they only assemble devices, they don't produce their own panels AFAIK.

The one question I would ask is what is the contrast ratio? On the less expensive LCDs, contrast ratio is one of the things that lacks and that can be quite important if you don't have well controlled lighting in your room. In a bedroom, I would expect that to be less of an issue.

 

[Shock]

Visio is technically not an American company. ALL of the major display companies have facilities in the US, but the products are all manufactured overseas.

This is true that their TV's aren't manufactured in the US, but they are still an American founded company. It was founding in Costa Mesa Cali as V inc., and it's main headquarters are in Irvine (same as Activison Blizzard!).

Either way, I personally would still rather support them over other companies.

P.S. I just bought a Sony KDL42V5100, so I'm kind of a hypocrit. But it was only because I knew someone working at the store and I got a sick discount on Sony products. .....I mean...

 

[j_garcia]

This is true that their TV's aren't manufactured in the US, but they are still an American founded company. It was founding in Costa Mesa Cali as V inc., and it's main headquarters are in Irvine (same as Activison Blizzard!).

Either way, I personally would still rather support them over other companies.

I would support them, however I feel that the products from Samsung, Sony and Sharp are all better quality. Sony is technically a second tier manufacturer as well since they buy their panels from Samsung, but Sony is a bit larger than Vizio.

 

[DD66000]

I have had no problem with my vizio Its a couple of years old hooked up to a hd box

Wait till you've had it for a little over three years, then get back to us.
I have a 32" Vizio and it crapped out after only 39 months. Of course, out of warranty and they want $265 to repair it.

I'd suggest to the OP to buy another brand.

 

[vizionut]

Wait till you've had it for a little over three years, then get back to us.
I have a 32" Vizio and it crapped out after only 39 months. Of course, out of warranty and they want $265 to repair it.

I'd suggest to the OP to buy another brand.

I sure will let you know when my vizio craps out!!! I am not looking forward to that day of course.

 

[DaleAV]

, but they are still an American founded company.

That was my point too. We all know most all consumer electronics is fabricated off shore.

Nice point to bring up though. At least acknowledging it is better than ignoring it, which is typically the case.

j_garcia:

Based on Sony buying Samsung panels, then Pioneer would also have been 2nd tier, having bought panels most recently from Panasonic, before they got out of the plasma game. Just an interesting point.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I have setup a few Vizios for family members. Once I calibrated them correctly, the picture quality looked good for such a low price. I would put one in my bedroom. Like all HD sets though they look like junk with SD.

 

[DaleAV]

I have setup a few Vizios for family members. One I calibrated them correctly, the picture quality looked good for such a low price. I would put one in my bedroom. Like all HD sets though they look like junk with SD.

That's true,some worse than others. Almost makes you want to keep a CRT set around just for SD. I said 'almost!!'....

 

[rekced]

The one question I would ask is what is the contrast ratio? On the less expensive LCDs, contrast ratio is one of the things that lacks and that can be quite important if you don't have well controlled lighting in your room. In a bedroom, I would expect that to be less of an issue.

Vizio TVs are made by a company called AmTran. Most of their panels are made by LG, but I think they'll move to more Taiwanese panel makers in the coming years. Nothing really "wrong" with 'em

www.amtran.com.tw/
www.auo.com
www.cmo.com.tw

This is true that their TV's aren't manufactured in the US, but they are still an American founded company. It was founding in Costa Mesa Cali as V inc., and it's main headquarters are in Irvine (same as Activison Blizzard!).

Either way, I personally would still rather support them over other companies.

P.S. I just bought a Sony KDL42V5100, so I'm kind of a hypocrit. But it was only because I knew someone working at the store and I got a sick discount on Sony products. .....I mean...

FYI - The only two TV manufactures I have seen with TVs made/assembled in the US with in the last couple years is Sony and Pioneer. The ones from Sony were uncommon and it could be a thing of the past though.

 

[vizionut]

I like this thread... It reminds me of one thing!!! buy american or as close as you can.