Picked up a 42'' 120Hz Vizio

[ZappDogg]

Some backstory: Bought the Vizio VX42L back in March. First unit had a backlight bleeding issue that got more and more severe, so I returned it in June for another unit of the same model. That unit performed excellently until last week, when it started dropping audio when using an HDMI source.

This weekend, I decided to abandon that model all together, so I upgraded to their newest 42'' LCD: SV420XVT. Luckily, Samsclub has a 100% satisfaction policy, so I just walked in, told them about the audio issue, and only had to pay the difference in price between the models (100 bucks out the door).

Some first thoughts of the SV420:

• Excellent blacks compared to the VX42L, better lighting across the entire screen.

• Twice as many HDMI inputs, although 3 and 4 are on the side panel, which I would never want to use in a home theater setup.

• 120Hz technology greatly increases picture smoothness, especially on fast paced games like Halo 3.

• Sadly, the other side of the 120Hz coin is that it creates what I can best liken to heat shimmers (think looking at a road on a hot day) on the screen edges and around fast paced objects on screen. Haven't played with the 2 smoothing functions enough to find the happy spot (3 settings per function).

• Remote IR detection is terrible. Have to be pointing directly at the TV, and have to push the buttons all the way down. Everything remote related has to be deliberate, or the TV flat out won't be able to detect the button press.

• There is no RGB/PC button on the remote any more. This is quite annoying, as I have a HTPC connected up. I have to go into the input menu and browse to the PC. PIP between HDMI and PC still works beautifully, though.

• Native res is of course 1080p (1920x1080), but Vizio states that 1366x768 (native res of the older set) is still supported. It isn't. Instead, they support 1360x768. This caused all of my games that were set to the old res to hang up in Vista...I had to edit config files manually to get them to run (Far Cry 2, for example). This is a small nitpick for most people, I'm sure.

I'm pretty pleased with the set so far...1080p is noticeably better than 720p, no matter what people may say in regards to screens of this size. For $999 at Sams, I think you'd be hard pressed to find such a good bargain with such generous in-store support anywhere else.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: ZappDogg

• Native res is of course 1080p (1920x1080), but Vizio states that 1366x768 (native res of the older set) is still supported. It isn't. Instead, they support 1360x768. This caused all of my games that were set to the old res to hang up in Vista...I had to edit config files manually to get them to run (Far Cry 2, for example). This is a small nitpick for most people, I'm sure.

I love my two Vizios (42" and 32"). However, I think your statement above is quite odd. I do not think that "most people" find it a small nitpick to have to edit config files! "Most people" do not even know what a config file is, let alone how to edit one. I am pretty handy around a computer and most consumer electronics, but I am not sure that I would find it a small thing to have to edit config files to get my $1000 purchase to work properly!

Maybe I am just nitpicking about your nitpick

MotionMan

 

[ZappDogg]

Sorry, what I meant to say was that I doubt many people would be placed in that situation to begin with (going from that exact resolution to the other). Could have gotten around it by hooking up another monitor, switching to a standard res (800x600), and hooking back into the TV, but when you know how to edit configs, why bother? =P

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: ZappDogg

• Native res is of course 1080p (1920x1080), but Vizio states that 1366x768 (native res of the older set) is still supported. It isn't. Instead, they support 1360x768. This caused all of my games that were set to the old res to hang up in Vista...I had to edit config files manually to get them to run (Far Cry 2, for example). This is a small nitpick for most people, I'm sure.

I love my two Vizios (42" and 32"). However, I think your statement above is quite odd. I do not think that "most people" find it a small nitpick to have to edit config files! "Most people" do not even know what a config file is, let alone how to edit one. I am pretty handy around a computer and most consumer electronics, but I am not sure that I would find it a small thing to have to edit config files to get my $1000 purchase to work properly!

Maybe I am just nitpicking about your nitpick

MotionMan

Most people would not hook up their computer to the tv either.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

With black friday not that far off I am curious why you didnt wait to see if better deals appear.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
With black friday not that far off I am curious why you didnt wait to see if better deals appear.

[Rex Kramer] "That?s just what they?ll expect us to do?" [/Rex Kramer]

MotionMan

 

[ZappDogg]

If it drops in price within the next month, I'll take my receipt and just get credit.

 

[ZappDogg]

Tried watching some action scenes of my standard-def Serenity DVD with the 120hz features turned on. Didn't end well, actually. Not sure if the problem was the Xbox 360's DVD playback, the upconverting, or just the technology in general, but the picture was losing frames, speeding up and slowing down...it was all over the place.

Works great for games, however. Also, the wife said that she hated the way it made the movie look..."too real", and said it was making her queasy.

 

[ZappDogg]

Hooked up the PC via DVI->HDMI, and used its DVD player to better results, although still not hitch-free enough to warrant watching movies with the 120Hz. Even watching local MPEG files experienced hitching. I'm not a fan of the effect at all, regarding movies, but it really like what it does to XBOX games. Madden, Gears, and Halo look better than they ever have.

Also, had some static coming over the HDMI line that went away with a reboot of the TV. Kind of strange.

 

[CubanlB]

Xbox 360's dvd upconverting is unbearably awful.

 

[ZappDogg]

Uh oh. The TV experienced a hard lockup this morning, and became unresponsive to any input. Had to pull the power plug to reset it. This will be my last Vizio if this keeps up.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: ZappDogg
Uh oh. The TV experienced a hard lockup this morning, and became unresponsive to any input. Had to pull the power plug to reset it. This will be my last Vizio if this keeps up.

Why? What if they replace it without any complains and the next one works great?

MotionMan

 

[ZappDogg]

In my original post, I explain that this is now my 3rd Vizio, and each has had some sort of issue.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: ZappDogg
In my original post, I explain that this is now my 3rd Vizio, and each has had some sort of issue.

Ah, forgot about that (I did not re-read the thread).

I have two Vizios and have had no problems. If the 37"ers come down some more, I will be 3xVizio owner.

Bummer luck for you

MotionMan