[CES 2007] Vizio Still Blowing Away High Prices
January 12th, 2007 — By Scott WilkinsonVizio Strikes Again
Well-known for its plasma and LCD flat panels with market-leading low prices and high value, Vizio introduced two more amazing bargains at the show. The VM60P is a 60-inch plasma with 1366×768 resolution that will list for–get this–just under $3000! And that’s not accounting for the rebates that Vizio often offers. Notable features include Faroudja video processing, four (count ‘em, four) HDMI inputs that can accept signals up to 1080p, and a claimed contrast ratio of 7000:1. It should be shipping in February.
Also unveiled at the show was the GV47LF HDTV, a 47-inch LCD flat panel with 1920×1080 resolution. It’s available now for an astounding list price of only $1900. The native contrast ratio is 800:1 (1600:1 dynamic), and the panel’s response time is 8ms. Both sets are protected by Vizio’s 1-year on-site warranty and “zero bright pixelâ€? defectguarantee.
Am I missing something? The Vizio doesn’t seem to be a remarkably better bargain than the Hitachi in the post above. So, why is Hitachi “betting” that its price point will sell displays, while Vizio’s price is “amazing”?
Comment by Tom January 21st, 2007 @ 6:10 pmThe posts to which you refer were written by two different people with obviously different perspectives. In my view, both the Hitachi and Vizio plasmas look like great deals: a 1280×1080 50-incher for $2500 and a 1366×768 60-incher for $3000. I think the Vizio is the better bargain because it’s a 60-inch screen for only $500 more than than the Hitachi’s 50-inch screen. I’ve never seen a 60-inch plasma for anything near $3000, which makes it pretty amazing in my book.
Comment by Scott Wilkinson January 21st, 2007 @ 8:55 pmIt seems to me that the 60 inch Viseo would be the better bargain. The actual value would be determined by the viewing Ie clarity,distortion artifacts,color purity, and motion artifacts ect.
Comment by Howard Baum January 23rd, 2007 @ 12:31 pmOf course, the proof is in the viewing. I’m expecting to get the Vizio in for review pretty soon, and I hope to get the Hitachi as well. Look for my reviews in upcoming issues of TPV.
Scott Wilkinson
Comment by Scott Wilkinson February 14th, 2007 @ 7:27 pmVideo Editor
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