Good point. I have an LG 50", and have been very happy with the contrast level. It's the closest to true black that I have seen on a tv.
Vizio HDTV
- Thread starter Bobber
- Start date
Good point. I have an LG 50", and have been very happy with the contrast level. It's the closest to true black that I have seen on a tv.
I'd love to know where you can find an HDMI cord for under ten dollars, that doesn't look like something you'd find in a cracker jack box. :wideeyed:
~OR~
If money is a concern, you can always just go to Mediacom and get a decent one for free... Either way, you'll need a good HDMI cord for the best HD possible..
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Someone on this site suggested it awhile ago...I have had more than good luck with this company.
Also, here is a site that suggests expensive cables are not worth purchasing: CNET Quick Guide: HDMI and HDMI cables: What HDMI cable should I buy? - CNET Reviews
HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!
I've seen people with 50K A/V systems use their cords. The monoprice ones I've bought have actually looked better constructed then the $100 ones that are a complete waste of money.
Monoprice.com
Oops, I see that this site was already linked. I've used them and they are recommended by serious video people. Monster cords are the biggest racket out there. Watch out for the salesman at Best Buy that says you need a special HDMI Monster cord for 120 Hz use. BS.
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I bought several 6 footer HDMI cables from monoprice for $7 each. No problems so far.
I was looking a couple of years ago for a mid-size for the bedroom and stopped at Traviss Audio. Once I got past the initial rudeness of the guy helping me, (it seemed like he lost interest in me when he found out I wasn't searching for a huge plasma), I asked him a few general questions, one of them about Vizio specifically, and he said they were essentially disposables because it's very difficult to get any parts to replace/repair them.
The picture seems all right, not quite Sony quality-but good. Usually, you get what you pay for, buyer beware.
If a Vizio "breaks down" out of warranty you are SOL. Higher end units you can get an in-house service call. Not free, if out of warranty, but parts are available. I'd have no qualms about buying a Vizio as long as I knew what to expect.
I can tell you from personal experience, using just the standard coax cable is like trying to drive a ferrari with flat tires.
I used a coax cable for two days on my HDTV and was almost ready to take the TV back. When I went back to the store, I was told to purchase a HDMI cord and five RCA plus, ($40.00) in all. When I removed the coax cable and used the new connections, the picture was a million times better...
It's the ONLY way to get a full HD affect..
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The article IS suggesting that you use HDMI cables...but it says you should not purchase expensive HDMI cables. The message is that you do not need to spend more than $10 on an HDMI cable.
Did you actually read the article? No one is questioning that HDMI is the best connection. The questioning is about paying $50 for a Monster band HDMI cable or a $10 Monoprice HDMI cable.
Okay. But how often do T.V.'s really breakdown? I remember back in the 70's when you had more mechanical parts and tubes instead of diodes, you used to take them in for "tune ups" all the time. That just doesn't happen anymore.
Vizio has a 1 year warantee on parts and labor and you can buy a 4 year extended plan if you want. I would think that's pretty comparable to most brands?
Also I doubt Consumer Reports would be recommending them, if that was a problem.
My thought is that you just don't buy a TV expecting it to last 10 years anymore anyway. It might and most likely will last 10 years but so what. Why not buy a TV that is half the price (Vizio) and with the money you save you can buy a brand new one it 5 years. As fast as technology keeps improving, in 5 years I won't be happy with any TV that I bought. I will always want something better.
I'm not saying they will break down at all. Just saying that if it happens, good luck. If you buy an extended warranty don't buy it from the store. Go 3rd party with Mack or CPS.
I don't have a clue as to how often these new TVs crap out. Generally they last one day longer than the warranty. :smile:
I don't have a clue as to how often these new TVs crap out. Generally they last one day longer than the warranty. :smile:
It's rare they that just stop but it is pretty common to have problems. For example, Westinghouse are notorious for issues with HDMI handshake issues. It's also common to have dead pixels on LCD's. Another problem is that since each year they introduce new technology to the TV's they usually mess up something. An example of this is the 120hz that everyone is talking about that a lot of LCD's fail at implementing. This year it's going to be 240hz and internet connectivity.
If you go and read anywhere about hdmi, you will understand that the data is digital. So as long as the cable isn't defective, your picture on a $5 cable is the same as on a $100 cable, if they have the same bandwidth rating (1.3a, 1.2). The only real difference is in connectors at that point. Fortunately, the monoprice cables both look good and stay in your tv.
Expensive cables mattered more in the past when the signal being run was analog. Also, it mostly mattered only when running cable for long distances.
As far as plasma vs lcd and the white that you see. If the plasma has a better contrast ratio, which it should when compared to a similar range lcd, then its representation is closer to a true white. The white on an lcd may be bright, but compared to it black levels it is not as white as you think.
Expensive cables mattered more in the past when the signal being run was analog. Also, it mostly mattered only when running cable for long distances.
As far as plasma vs lcd and the white that you see. If the plasma has a better contrast ratio, which it should when compared to a similar range lcd, then its representation is closer to a true white. The white on an lcd may be bright, but compared to it black levels it is not as white as you think.
I actually have no issue with Vizio. I'd buy their new 120Hz 47" if it was really good. From my research it really isn't but I still may buy it if the price is right.
If I was going to buy a 42" I'd buy Vizio.