55-inch Vizio VF550XVT1A review reveals a sibling rivalry in the making
By Richard Lawler 
posted Mar 30th 2009 2:41AM
posted Mar 30th 2009 2:41AM
Anyone waiting around for CNET's take on the 55-inch Vizio VF550XVT1A LCD can relax now that it's hit the test bench to be judged against its peers. As it turns out, despite light black levels, funky bottom mounted soundbar and some motion processing quibbles, the biggest knock against this set is its own local dimming LED-backlit followup due to hit shelves in just a few more months (and don't even get us started on the Connected HDTV due shortly after that.) Still, that two grand in your pocket won't stimulate the economy by itself so check out the review and see if it's worth it to wait.
Blah! Not another cruddy TV to infest the market, save your money and your eyes and buy a plasma...a pioneer to be exact. And don't give me that "It's too expensive" excuse, visit your local Best Buy and check the prices out, they won't stop dropping the prices! The Best Buy near my house has the 5020fd next to a Sony XBR6, Pio is priced @ $2,299.99 and the Sony 52" XBR6 is priced $3,299.99; or compare the new 55b7100 which is actually decent for a LCD, but comes with a nice hefty price at around $3,799.99. Open your eyes and research smart, there is no comparison at this point! Best black levels, processing power and capabilities, plus the Pio's have the best anti-reflective screens on the market...get one soon before they're all gone...........FOREVER!
What are you, a Pioneer salesman?
They are without a doubt nice TVs. However, I will never buy a television from a company that no longer is in the television business. Too many problems with the warranty. More than likely the television division will be sold off and the new company will decide whether or not to honor the existing warranties. That is a risk I'm not willing to take. Sadly, while Pioneer made what was universally considered the best tv out there, they are a terribly run company that couldnt capitalize on that fact.
Although I'd love to grab an Elite and should have from day one despite it being a Plasma and more so because they were crazy expensive, I'm going to have to agree with Rob wholeheartedly. Warranties are a biggie in this world. Granted I let mine expire and or never got one on both my Samsung A750 and Sharp 64U but I got lucky thus far, knock on wood.
edge lit lcds... would rather own a good CCFL backlit.
Seems like a strange product for Vizio to bring to market at this time. Like the review say's, wait till June and get what should be a much better product for the same price. The uninformed may be really pissed if they buy one of these and then see what's available in June.
On the other hand, you could waste several months of your life watching the old crappy set while waiting to pull the trigger on the backlit LED. For those poor bastids that are still waiting, the "published" release date has been pushed back to Sept already. My guess is that they will be shoving it out the door by Black Friday. ...whether it works or not.