Sony vs. VIZIO

noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 2:54pm
I'm looking to buy a 40-46" 1080p LCD television. Sony TVs look more polished and have much better sound. Are they worth the extra money? I can get either more features or a bigger screen by getting a VIZIO at Costco.

I'd like to spend under $1500

*Costco also has a 42" plasma Panasonic (1080p) for $799- but I've heard the picture quality will fade with a plasma
|
flarider
Posts
25496
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Daytona Beach, FL, USA
1/5/2009 5:16pm
LCD also uses far less electricity
huck
Posts
17024
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Mountain Home, AR, USA
1/5/2009 5:32pm
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00

I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that is going to remotely push 1080 though...
Robert
Posts
1159
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
1/5/2009 5:51pm
I've bought several Vizio LCD's. I was also looking at sony when the TV dude at costco said don't waste your money, get the Vizio. He said Vizio has same components, but with the Sony you're paying for the name. I never researched if what he said was true or not but the ones I have all work perfect.
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/5/2009 5:56pm
huck wrote:
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00 I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that...
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00

I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that is going to remotely push 1080 though...
If I'm not going to use Blu-ray, is there any reason to get 1080p?

How about 120Hz? Do I "need" it for regular TV and DVD?

The Shop

noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/5/2009 5:58pm
Robert wrote:
I've bought several Vizio LCD's. I was also looking at sony when the TV dude at costco said don't waste your money, get the Vizio. He...
I've bought several Vizio LCD's. I was also looking at sony when the TV dude at costco said don't waste your money, get the Vizio. He said Vizio has same components, but with the Sony you're paying for the name. I never researched if what he said was true or not but the ones I have all work perfect.
Does the stock sound system work well on those? I'd like to have decent sound without hooking up a speaker system.
Biscuit
Posts
399
Joined
11/13/2008
Location
Saltillo, MS, USA
1/5/2009 5:59pm
Dont know about the tv's but all the sony products ive bought in the past have not lived up to their price. I feel like its a name thing. Just my 2 cents.
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/5/2009 6:05pm
This is what I'm leaning toward:

46" Sony V-series for $1295 (no tax, free shipping)



It seems to have all the modern chimichangas except a 120Hz processor

Tiki
Posts
10613
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Corona, CA, USA
Fantasy
1/5/2009 6:14pm
Seems you cant go wrong with the Vizio. LCD looks great. Watching one now.
FLmxer
Posts
7303
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
SouthWest, FL, USA
Fantasy
1/5/2009 6:19pm
I have a few Vizio's and they are just as good as Sony. IMO
Cygnus
Posts
14845
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO, USA
1/5/2009 6:35pm
I have a sony big screen 53inch old school style. The thing has been bullet proof. Moved it at least 3 times and the picture is still really good . But it takes up way to much space .


I am going to wait till the Superbowl and go get an lcd and mount it on the wall. I am really gonna look at the Vizio now. .
onenastynotch
Posts
724
Joined
3/3/2007
Location
West Babylon, NY, USA
1/5/2009 6:38pm
huck wrote:
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00 I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that...
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00

I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that is going to remotely push 1080 though...
noob wrote:
If I'm not going to use Blu-ray, is there any reason to get 1080p?

How about 120Hz? Do I "need" it for regular TV and DVD?
the 120hz is motion flow technology ...without the 120 u get end trails across the screen with fast paced action like car chases and crap like that
kdx man
Posts
1065
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Kearny, NJ, USA
1/5/2009 8:37pm
The quality of the hdmi cable does actually matter. There is no need to get the $120 one, but dont get the $10 Radio Shack Special either.
Spinner
Posts
3198
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Fayettenam, AR, USA
1/5/2009 10:02pm
I got the Samsung 40" LCD 1080 HD.

So far, it kicks mucho ass.
oldx
Posts
3046
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Camano Island, WA, USA
1/5/2009 10:33pm
Spinner wrote:
I got the Samsung 40" LCD 1080 HD.

So far, it kicks mucho ass.
How much is it?
I'm looking to hang one on the bedroom wall.
huck
Posts
17024
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Mountain Home, AR, USA
1/6/2009 5:02am
huck wrote:
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00 I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that...
My mom just got a 1080 Vizio from Wal-Mart. 42" LCD - $799.00

I hooked it up and it looked fine. She doesn't have anything that is going to remotely push 1080 though...
noob wrote:
If I'm not going to use Blu-ray, is there any reason to get 1080p?

How about 120Hz? Do I "need" it for regular TV and DVD?
No. Blu-Ray and HD cable and sat are the only thing that broadcasts in 1080.


The sound on her Vizio was surprising good.
txmxer
Posts
9770
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Weatherford, TX, USA
1/6/2009 5:49am
kdx man wrote:
The quality of the hdmi cable does actually matter. There is no need to get the $120 one, but dont get the $10 Radio Shack Special...
The quality of the hdmi cable does actually matter. There is no need to get the $120 one, but dont get the $10 Radio Shack Special either.
for a digital signal???
Spinner
Posts
3198
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Fayettenam, AR, USA
1/6/2009 8:13am
Spinner wrote:
I got the Samsung 40" LCD 1080 HD.

So far, it kicks mucho ass.
oldx wrote:
How much is it?
I'm looking to hang one on the bedroom wall.
I got mine like 2 years ago for 1,400. You can probably find 'em cheaper now days.
Go to a local Circuit City and haggle with them. You can probably get a smoking deal on one from them if they have any inventory.
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/6/2009 8:53am Edited Date/Time 1/6/2009 9:38am
I read the CNET review. They said you can easily use it as a computer monitor and text stays crisp (thanks to the 50000:1 contrast ratio?).
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/6/2009 9:04am
huck wrote:
No. Blu-Ray and HD cable and sat are the only thing that broadcasts in 1080.


The sound on her Vizio was surprising good.
I said "regular" TV, but I do have DirecTV satellite. 1080p sounds like it will be (or already is) the new standard. I just didn't want to get it if Blu-ray is the only benefit. I'm not a fan of the clarity of Blu-ray. It wastes the illusion of special effects and "hot" pornstars.
P
Posts
6054
Joined
11/21/2006
Location
Greensboro, NC, USA
1/6/2009 2:21pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 9:49pm
Go with the Vizio XVT model that has the 120hz. You'll thank yourself when you watch anything in HD and you'll be able to count a few extra dollars in your pocket. We have the 42 inch. The 120hz does make a difference.

Also Vizio is a U.S. company, you get 90-days to return it if you buy from Costco and Costco extends the warrenty to 2 years.


P
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/6/2009 2:39pm
That's the one I read the review on.
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/6/2009 2:44pm
P wrote:
Go with the Vizio XVT model that has the 120hz. You'll thank yourself when you watch anything in HD and you'll be able to count a...
Go with the Vizio XVT model that has the 120hz. You'll thank yourself when you watch anything in HD and you'll be able to count a few extra dollars in your pocket. We have the 42 inch. The 120hz does make a difference.

Also Vizio is a U.S. company, you get 90-days to return it if you buy from Costco and Costco extends the warrenty to 2 years.


P
My current hang up with Vizio is the contrast ratio. XVT models have 6500:1, whereas the Sony KDL-V has 25000:1 and the KDL-W has 30000:1
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/6/2009 2:48pm
Oh and thanks to flarider, I have one more fucking variable to consider: energy consumption. The Sony uses about half as much as the Visio (220 W - 400 W)
P
Posts
6054
Joined
11/21/2006
Location
Greensboro, NC, USA
1/6/2009 2:54pm
P wrote:
Go with the Vizio XVT model that has the 120hz. You'll thank yourself when you watch anything in HD and you'll be able to count a...
Go with the Vizio XVT model that has the 120hz. You'll thank yourself when you watch anything in HD and you'll be able to count a few extra dollars in your pocket. We have the 42 inch. The 120hz does make a difference.

Also Vizio is a U.S. company, you get 90-days to return it if you buy from Costco and Costco extends the warrenty to 2 years.


P
noob wrote:
My current hang up with Vizio is the contrast ratio. XVT models have 6500:1, whereas the Sony KDL-V has 25000:1 and the KDL-W has 30000:1
I read that Contrast Ratios don't really mean anything because they aren't based on a stardard process.

I'll say this, if you skip the 120hz, you'll be kicking yourself down the road. HD channels are nuts, in terms of the picture.

Remember, if you buy at Costco you have 90-days to return it. Check it out and if you don't like it then return it and get the Sony.

Most of the stardard settings for the picture are fine and the volumn is relly good too. You can also buy a wireless kit from Vizio as well.


P
noob
Posts
2109
Joined
8/12/2008
Location
Burbank, CA, USA
1/6/2009 3:23pm
P wrote:
I read that Contrast Ratios don't really mean anything because they aren't based on a stardard process. I'll say this, if you skip the 120hz, you'll...
I read that Contrast Ratios don't really mean anything because they aren't based on a stardard process.

I'll say this, if you skip the 120hz, you'll be kicking yourself down the road. HD channels are nuts, in terms of the picture.

Remember, if you buy at Costco you have 90-days to return it. Check it out and if you don't like it then return it and get the Sony.

Most of the stardard settings for the picture are fine and the volumn is relly good too. You can also buy a wireless kit from Vizio as well.


P
I'm already sold on the 120Hz

And you're right about the 90-day return policy. If I get the Sony, it will be shipped to my door and I'll be fucked if I don't like it.
zjbell
Posts
2796
Joined
10/13/2006
Location
CA, CA, USA
1/6/2009 3:27pm
I have two Vizio TV's

A 42" 1080 120Hz.
50" 1080

I purchased both from Costco, no problems so far, I just hooked up the bluray and it's stunning. I say go with the Vizio and if the budget permits go for the 120 Hz.

The Vizio comes with an HDMI cable.
Sawblade
Posts
383
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Bentonville, AR, USA
1/6/2009 10:19pm
I have two Vizio TV's and will buy another one when the time comes. You can purchase them from Walmart or Sams Club also.
casper
Posts
558
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
1/6/2009 10:41pm
I'm an engineer for Sony and I work on these TVs everyday. I see every model that Sony sells and I'll tell you what I tell everyone else: Buy what looks and sounds best to you.

If you want to know why a Sony costs more, we do allot more testing then most brands. Every TV has to meet a certain spec for MPEG2 and each TV has a decoder in it that processes the signal. In Best Buy, the signals are super clean and boosted so all the TVs show their best video. It's when you take it home and you start seeing those blocks accross the screen is when the broadcasters send their signals and there are errors in it. It's how well the TV handles these errors that make some better then others.
huck
Posts
17024
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Mountain Home, AR, USA
1/7/2009 5:46am
noob wrote:
I'm looking to buy a 40-46" 1080p LCD television. Sony TVs look more polished and have much better sound. Are they worth the extra money? I...
I'm looking to buy a 40-46" 1080p LCD television. Sony TVs look more polished and have much better sound. Are they worth the extra money? I can get either more features or a bigger screen by getting a VIZIO at Costco.

I'd like to spend under $1500

*Costco also has a 42" plasma Panasonic (1080p) for $799- but I've heard the picture quality will fade with a plasma
The Vizio that my mother just got didn't have any cables. Just the power cord.

I wonder if they've "cut back" on that?



P
Posts
6054
Joined
11/21/2006
Location
Greensboro, NC, USA
1/7/2009 9:46am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 9:50pm
noob wrote:
I'm looking to buy a 40-46" 1080p LCD television. Sony TVs look more polished and have much better sound. Are they worth the extra money? I...
I'm looking to buy a 40-46" 1080p LCD television. Sony TVs look more polished and have much better sound. Are they worth the extra money? I can get either more features or a bigger screen by getting a VIZIO at Costco.

I'd like to spend under $1500

*Costco also has a 42" plasma Panasonic (1080p) for $799- but I've heard the picture quality will fade with a plasma
huck wrote:
The Vizio that my mother just got didn't have any cables. Just the power cord.

I wonder if they've "cut back" on that?



The XVT model is their top of the line model that is meant to commpete with other brands top models, that's probably why it includes the HDMI cable.


P

Post a reply to: Sony vs. VIZIO

The Latest