Vizio HDTV

I have noticed that there is a lot of talk about Vizio HDTVs. In my experience, Vizio uses LG parts inside, just like Toshiba, NEC and others. They put their own label on it, but the Panel, Y-Sustain, Z-sustain (the newest LG Plasmas have a combined Y and Z sustain single board) are all LG parts. In my opinion, the company that has the best service is the company to go with. LG used to have a 2 year warranty on all of their new plasmas. They have reduced that down to a year, so I need to re-evaluate my stance on Plasmas.

LCD tvs have come a long way since their proliferation in the PC world. The price fixing scandal said it only pertained to cell phone TFT-LCDs, but I think they are all too expensive. 120 hz sounds good, but the refresh rates of plasma TVs have gone into the 180hz range.

I personally have not purchased a flat panel TV. With the hundreds I have fixed, all of the parts are too expensive to fix, even if I replace the parts myself. I prefer CRT rear projection HDTVs. They have enough parts that a skilled technician can perform many repairs for under $100. The cheapest parts for plasmas and LCDs range from $2-300. Some Main Boards cost well over $500.

Bottom line, Vizio is a value priced TV, but you have to take into account the service available. I will be reviewing the policies and procedures of numerous TV brands over the next week. I hope to have enough time to publish some results before Christmas.

'til next time

Jeff