Vizio barreling into Wal-marts everywhere
By Erik Hanson 
posted May 30th 2007 10:51PM
posted May 30th 2007 10:51PM
Relative newcomer Vizio has certainly done a bang-up job at taking the television market by storm, throwing down a sub-$1000 plasma and the first sub-$2000 1080p LCD, upsetting Sony with its pricing schemes, and making good impressions just about everywhere. Now the number-four flat-panel seller is truly heading for the mass market, with an announcement that Wal-mart will sell four new models of Vizio LCDs. The 720p sets include at least one HDMI input and integrated ATSC/QAM tuners. The VW26L, VW32L, VW37L, and VW42L panels will range from 26 to 42 inches, with the smallest starting at $448. Considering the retail giant's reach and inertia, it's going to be a tough year for competitors on the low-end of the flat-panel market. We feel for you: now pick us up some chips and paper towels with that 42-incher, will ya?
I've been seeing Vizio LCDs at my Wal-Mart quite some time now.
picked up a VW37L the other night. Great set for the price, considering swapping it out for the 42".
Seems that these are "lower spec'd" versions of the Vizio's in Sam's club. Only bad thing is that the pricing is about the same. (I.e. 32" LCD and Wal-Mart 800:1 Aspect Ratio, 32" at Sam's 1200:1 Asect Ratio
Ive been shopping around for a tv
and these just look horrible compared to the samsung, lg's and sony's ive seen out there. i think i just wont be cheap and pick up a nice samsung, which seems to have the best prices to picture quality that ive seen and read about
I took a look at the Vizio and thought it looked pretty good 26" for $449 but then I saw the Element 26" at Circuit City for $399 last week and bought that - No regrets so far! have it hooked up to my media center pc via HDMI and it looks terrific even at 1080i resolution - Sure, it's not a Samsung or LG, or even a Sony, but it's a great TV for less than half the price - Plus QAM looks and works just great.
I'd buy the WalMart version over the standard models anyday. Walmart gets a special all black color scheme, whereas the same models sold everywhere else are that vile black/white/silver color scheme.
I purchased the VW42L a couple of weeks ago. It is a great TV/Monitor. It has all the inputs and features I wanted and even better, Walmart has a 90 return policy with no restocking fee. So if the TV doesn't work out or it's too big or too small, just bring it back and get another one.
I'd question the quality of the Vizio units. I've seen a bunch of returns in Costco. They are all stocked in the back near the bottled water and soda. I don't recall seeing any other brand of open-box return TV back there since I've been a member.
Honestly, you get what you pay for.
I have heard a few complaints about Vizio's crapping out on people after a year or so of use.
Not to mention, I can clearly see a difference in the picture quality of a Vizio in comparison with a Sony/Samsung HDTV and to me the difference is substantial...
Almost like going from SD to HD all over again.
For me, When I buy a TV I expect it to last 10 years minimum, so I have no problem buying a TV that costs 3,000 especially considering how much use I get out of it in watching tv, movies, and gaming. Vizio's are a good bargain especially if you want a SECOND HDTV, but I would not want it as my primary television.
I know people say side by side they look like garbage but you have to take into consideration the quality of the feed in store. For instance, when i was poking around at sam's the other day, they had an FSN HD feed going into the TV, yet when i hit input it said "Component 1 - 480p" - so yeah, most of the time they aren't even feeding HD to the sets. And then in other instances one signal is split and distributed so many times it looks like garbage.
I am looking at Wal-Marts website and am unable to find that the VW37L model has the QAM tuner, or the 32in model for that matter. So does this mean that this is a new version of the old scene and this is just announced and we have to wait a month?
26" plasma under $500. you cant beat that with a baseball bat.
id rather buy at costco than walmart though
I have had the Viz 32" (L) for over a year now, HD Sat feed..... This TV Rocks.....at 1080i I am more than pleased. Viz makes a great product and does not rip your wallet apart in the process. If you want to spend the extra for name sake feel free.....but Viz is! I got this model at Sams...when Vizio was entering the market or at least it was the first time I heard of them. I give Vizio a 5 out of 5 for exceeding my expectations.
This is very old news. And the fact that Costco has cheaper prices on the same product is an insult on reporting information.
I WAS TOLD THE VIZIO ARE MAKING BY SONY.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT.
JOSE AGAIN.