VIZIO VF551XVT LED-backlit HDTV spotted in the wild

We'd been promised at CEDIA that VIZIO's first LED backlit LCD would be hitting stores within days and were thankfully not misled. EHD reader Evan spotted this VF551XVT chilling on a Costco rack (not the best place for PQ evaluation, we know) nearby rocking a $1,999 price tag, we're sure they can be found in your neck of the woods by now. The only decision remaining, if VIZIO is a brand on one's watchlist, is whether to snap up this reasonably-priced competitor, or wait a little while for its widget & WiFi packing Connected TV VF552XVT due out later this year.

[Brian Posted Sep 26th 2009 10:43PM]

I recently broke my 47" LCD 1080p Vizio that I had and was debating on getting a Kuro Kuro KRP-500M, or a Panasonic plasma but ended up with the Vizio VF550XVT. I'm glad I did. I do plan on taking it back in a month or two, it's from Costco, to get the VF551XVT or VF552XVT but I needed a new TV instead of using a 22" monitor and sitting 10 feet or so away.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2009 10:55PM]

Nice. Proudly displaying your dishonesty.

[KyleKaplan Posted Sep 26th 2009 11:14PM]

So please tell us why you couldn't get your 47" fixed? Oh, that's right, you CAN'T get Vizio's repaired, cause they're SHIT!

[Brian Posted Sep 26th 2009 11:49PM]

Nice. You both are ahowig you are idiots.

And I cracked the glass. Any brand you buy it's cheaper to get a new screen then to buy new glass. Idiot.

[KyleKaplan Posted Sep 27th 2009 12:10AM]

So how much did that glass cost you, Brian? Shitty brands, including Vizio, don't offer repairs facilities the chance to purchase ANY repairs parts for the cheap POS sets!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 27th 2009 10:02AM]

Nice going Brian...you're part of the reason why comsumer electronics are so expensive and retailers are going out of business. I'm sure that you believe it is your "right" to return multiple TV sets because you're no longer enamoured with YOUR decsision to purchase a particular model. Why don't you go post on AVS forums? There are some individuals there who have returned more than 10 TVs. You'll feel right at home.

[barkingghos Posted Sep 27th 2009 10:19AM]

"So how much did that glass cost you, Brian? Shitty brands, including Vizio, don't offer repairs facilities the chance to purchase ANY repairs parts for the cheap POS sets!"

Maybe some of us find that the cheap sets are designed to be bought and used as disposable units. And considering if you buy an inexpensive Vizio through Costco then you are gonna be covered for the first couple of years.

[Brian Posted Sep 28th 2009 1:56AM]

OK.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2009 10:46PM]

Does anyone know the technology/type of LED array? Is it edge-lit or direct LED?

[IseWise Posted Sep 27th 2009 12:52AM]

Its backlit LED. Its says so on the price tag. Also in the link back that Richard provided.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/vizio-presents-240hz-led-backlit-updates-to-the-xvt-series/

[capkingy Posted Sep 27th 2009 3:43AM]

This vizio is not edge lit. Its got a full array of leds to light up the lcd screen. They use local dimming to turn off the leds they don't need in dark scenes. I cant wait for the internet enabled version of this tv to come out. I'm holding out for that one. The internet version is expected to ship in december. Hopefully vizio fixed all the issues with that one to get it out in time.

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/VIZIO-VF551XVT-LED-HDTV-with-Local-Dimming-Now-Available-for-Under-2000.shtml

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 27th 2009 10:01AM]

960 LEDs arranged into 80 independent dimmable regions - according to Vizio's website.

Could be quite impressive for the price. But I expect it will suffer from significant "blooming" around bright objects on a black background. 80 regions is not very many, so each "block" of dimmable LEDs is going to be responsible for illuminating a fairly large portion of the screen.

It'll be interesting to see some pro reviews.

[DarthCardo Posted Sep 27th 2009 3:09AM]

a Vizio instead of a Kuro? oh my...

crazy times...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 27th 2009 10:06AM]

Indeed! I went the exact opposite way. I paid a little extra to get the KRP-600M Kuro and I'm VERY glad that I did. I was worried that I might regret spending so much money on a monitor. But I've had the previous experience of buying the TV that I could more easily afford, rather than the one that I truly wanted. It's not as though the TV I bought back then was crap. But I regretted that I didn't just save up a little more. After getting this 60" Kuro, I have zero regrets! And I know from experience that I would have regretted saving some coin, but getting even slightly lower performance.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 28th 2009 2:37AM]

Engadget just picked up this? Seriously? I found it out in my Costco's shelf 3-4 weeks ago!

[SirChaos Posted Sep 29th 2009 3:32AM]

Sexy Sexy Sexy and with the Costco extended warranty...it's not a bad deal...:) I want and will wait for a Black Friday sale!



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[(Unverified) Posted Oct 16th 2009 2:16AM]

Thanks for the post ! Reading Vizio reviews give an insight into the design, color, picture quality and resolution of the TVs.Do you know that the latest news about Vizio reviews ?The most Popular services have now signed up with Vizio to provide news, sports, weather, gaming services and on-demand movies and music.You can now access the Internet within seconds. Vizio HDTV reviews talk about the wireless connectivity in the latest Vizio reviews. At last I'd like to say that It is simply S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 5:52AM]

Thanks for the post !Do you know that the latest news about Vizio HDTV reviews ?The most Popular services have now signed up with Vizio to provide news, sports, weather, gaming services and on-demand movies and music.You can now access the Internet within seconds. Vizio HDTV reviews talk about the wireless connectivity in the latest Vizio HDTV reviews. At last I'd like to say that It is simply S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G.