Vizio goes for LED price point jugular

[Pardus]

Full Article Here

At just $1999, the 55-inch VF551XVT hits a new low for LED-backlit LCD TV pricing.
(Credit: Vizio)

More often than not at the January Consumer Electronics Show, manufacturers refuse to divulge pricing information until closer to the product's launch later in the year, usually citing vague competitive reasons. Not Vizio. The bargain flat-panel brand isn't shy about pricing, especially when the price is as good as this.

The Vizio VF551XVT represents a new low price point for LCD-based HDTVs with LED backlights. This 55-inch HDTV will cost a mere $1,999 when it hits store shelves in June.

Compared with current 55-inch LED models such as the Samsung LN55A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8, which sell for at least $3,500 and $6,500 respectively, the Vizio's price is groundbreaking. It puts LED backlight technology within the realm of affordability for big screen flat-panel shoppers. We can't wait to see how this set performs, but if it provides the same kind of picture quality improvements of current LED TVs, it will be a very good bargain.

LED backlights like the one on the Vizio VF551XVT, as well as on the Sony and Samsung models cited above, use "local dimming" technology, which turns off or dims the backlight in dark areas while leaving it turned-on in brighter areas. The result is significantly improved black-level performance, a major ingredient in picture quality.

Vizio also hit the other big feature buzzword with this model, endowing it with a 240Hz refresh rate. Compared with standard 120Hz with dejudder processing, the extra Hz supposedly improve picture smoothness. The company has said it's improved its dejudder processing over the 120Hz SV470XVT we reviewed last year. Vizio is touting the set's antiglare screen and improved viewing angles, and includes an integrated sound bar with simulated surround capability.

The set also offers a USB input that can play back MPEG-2, H.264, WMV9 Video, along with JPEG photos and MP3 music files, and the company throws in a USB thumbdrive with a preloaded 1080p video.

 

[spidey07]

If you like crap TVs then yes.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: spidey07
If you like crap TVs then yes.

I own two Vizios and I love them.

So there.

MotionMan

 

[newnameman]

LOL, 240Hz.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: newnameman
LOL, 240Hz.

Why is that funny? Sony is pushing their 240hz as well - http://www.pcworld.com/article...40hz_refresh_rate.html

 

[erwos]

120hz at least had a valid reason for existing (multiple of 24). 240hz strikes me as useless unless you use motion enhancer/AMP/whatever, which is only really appropriate during sports events...

 

[sivart]

why are people focusing on 240Hz, shouldn't you be looking at the LED part. Much better picture than any CF light source can do.

I have a 2 year old Vizio Plasma with zero problems and great picture quality.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: sivart
why are people focusing on 240Hz, shouldn't you be looking at the LED part. Much better picture than any CF light source can do.

Eh, I have an SXRD, so this whole "backlighting" thing never really applied to me anyways. But I agree, it ought to improve image quality a fair bit, and I'd assume it'll help product lifetime and power consumption, too.

I'm more curious about the video processing in the TV - was it Vizio or Olevia that put out a TV with a Reon or Realta chip in it? That was pretty cool - PiP using two HDMI inputs, amazing scaling, etc.

 

[sivart]

Vizio used the Reon chip....I'm still waiting for a technology that can beat the PQ of Plasma. (Maybe LED)

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: sivart
Vizio used the Reon chip....I'm still waiting for a technology that can beat the PQ of Plasma. (Maybe LED)

OLED? Years away, but probably by the time it can be made larger and affordable something else will be out. Too bad no one wanted to improved upon CRT technology. Still the best picture but not made anymore and last iteration was way too big and heavy.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: sivart
Vizio used the Reon chip....I'm still waiting for a technology that can beat the PQ of Plasma. (Maybe LED)

My SXRD (KDS-55A3000) regularly compared competitively with the Kuro of its time, forget all those lesser plasmas. I _suspect_ Mitsubishi will take back the throne with the second-gen of its laser DLP technology.