Are Plasmas Lower Resololution?

Oh, and the only real problem we had with the Vizio was that the Time Warner Synergy IV remote can't be programmed to turn it on/off or change the volume. The Vizio remote can change the channels on the cable box but has no DVR buttons!! DUMB!!!! No reply from Vizio tech support on this issue.

I don't know why Vizio didn't use Sony or other popular make IR codes......???

Other than that issue great 47" LCD.

1366 X 768 native resolution

That's the key and as you can see it does not match 1280X720 or 1920X1080, it is native to nothing and that means everything has to be scaled, internally or externally to 1366X768. A big deal for videophiles, little concern for casual viewers.

Then comes service and support... you don't know what you have or what kind of company they are until you need that...

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8155

Yes the native scan rate would be the deciding criteria for me.

In addition to a native scan rate of 1920x1080p I'd also look for a set that supports a refresh rate of 120Hz. Most sets that support 120Hz are capable of upconverting Blu-Ray movies encoded on the disc at 24 frames/second to 120Hz (5X frame rate increase.)

You'll find that that combination provides the best technically correct picture available in the industry right now for viewing movies at home.

For viewing sports a 1920x1080P frame rate running at a refresh rate of either 60 or 120Hz is adequate.

Confusing yes, but the information is out there if you'll search for a few key words...

The plasma is 768p like most flat panel displays (LCD's, plasmas) out there today. Unless you are sitting right up on the TV (like a few feet), 1080P won't make that big of a difference. With a 60" TV, if you are more than 8 ft. away, you probably won't notice the difference between 720p/768p and 1080p. Flat panel prices for 1080P 50" (the minimum size recommended to really see 1080p) TV's really get up there. If you have the space, consider a rear projection (DLP, LCoS) set.

Jeff, most TV remotes don't have DVR buttons. Vizio is slow to get codes to manufacturers. This is (and has always been) an issue with newer brands going back to recent CRT brands in the 90's.

'Morning-----

IF ONLY People might re-read that "...if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably IS...." parable ????

In the " rush " to have a HDTV, unfortunately, it seems from other FORUMS as well as here that many buyers simply do not understand just how VERY sophisticated HDTVs are in their designs to receive, " handle " , & finally display these "HD" signals and show them as magnificant displays actually ARE !

Except for the ' label ' somewhere upon the case, the only other major obsession seems to be " how much less than someone else did I find one / pay ..."

AT www.hdguru.com of Sat-28 July + others, there was the beginning expose' of how many - if not ALL - of these lessor
brand HDTVs may well be the next versions of our old VCRs...Zero Service / future repair parts ...... toss away, instead ! AND, the whole new "HDTV" field will be blamed rather than possibly having bought an inferior set.

Instead of perhaps realizing that a properly designed & built HDTV may well actually cost thousands ---- NOT "$999"-- --
and, therefore , going WITHOUT any until one's circumstances improve, there are literally many sales each day of unknown sets that untimately may prove to be a VERY COSTLY lesson in this brand-new undertaking ???
eli whitney

Yes, the majority of Plasma TVs are lower resolution (720p). What you will find though, is that most reviewers:

cnet.com
hometheatermag.com
htmagazine.com
htguys.com

rate the picture quality of plasma 720p TVs higher than most LCD 1080p TVs. Resolution is more than just how many pixels your TV can display.

1080p Plasma TVs are available, but unless you can afford a 50" or larger screen size the difference between 1080p and 720p isn't going to be that noticible.

Mr. Whitney is right, LOOK AT hdguru.com under flat panel TVs, Off Brands are a Big Risk!

I tried to stay out of this thread. A lot of major brand (*cough* rear projection) sets have had their share of issues, too.

Yeah, Vizio and Westinghouse have service departments that leave a lot to be desired. A lot of people have complained about Mitsubishi and Samsung, too. Vizio, Emprex and Insignia are newer companies. They are taking a bit of time to get their ducks in a row as far as PR and servicing. Note: I have a Westinghouse LCD in my bedroom. It has a few flaws that are well documented (locking up with low bit rate 1080i transmissions and audio clipping through the HDMI port). However, it still works. (Note: it was a $400 refurb. So, I kind of expected the whole disposable thing.)

HD guru and others are nuts if they think JoeSixPack is going to pay $2k or more for a name brand flat panel. The major issue I've seen with these Vizio LCD's is that people are leaving them in default (read: uncalibrated) mode. As a result, their backlights and contrasts are set too high. The sets tend to pop and hiss. I guess if they were CRT's they would bloom.

Richard or another installer, would you care to elaborate about this, as I'm just a layman?

Pixels are pixels are pixels. In the past it has been easier to put 1080p on smaller LCD direct view screens. In the past and mostly true now, the best plasma (Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Fujitsu, and Panasonic) have had much better and deeper blacks--making for superior contrast. In addition, unless you and anyone else is viewing an LCD almost straight on it loses clarity in a hurry. Just as do DLP's and LCD rear projections as a rule. Even true to a degree of LCOS rear projections like Sony SXRD and JVC D'ILA.

Plasma's will keep their picture clarity from a pretty steep off angle. There are plenty of new plasma's coming out this year and next with 1080p and the price is dropping. Pioneer Elite released an expensive monitor last year, but they will be releasing full blown HDTV plasma 1080p's later this year. Panasonic has less expensive 1080p's now. Vizio's aren't bad, but they don't yet have the good blacks of the top tier plasma's--and great blacks make for great contrast and a much better picture.

If you are watching tv in a bright room LCD's are usuallly your best bet. If you have a medium to dark room then I like plasma's the best. If there are just a couple of people watching and price is very important to you--then DLP's and LCOS sets are tough to beat. You can usually get the biggest pictures for the cheapest prices with DLP's and LCOS sets.

Fujitsu and Runco plasmas are usually the best--but they are very expensive. I think Fujitsu is coming out with a 65" 1080p plasma this year that is supposed to be unbelievable--but so is the price--MSRP $20K.

To get the best plasma picture at more reasonable prices Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, and Panasonic are usually the way to go. But if you need budget sets, I guess Vizio is as good or better than any other.

If you watch close or demand the best then 1080p is the way to go. If budget constraints are the highest priority get a 720p set or even a 1080p LCD (but it won't be too big).

I almost forgot to mention projection set-ups. But they require dark rooms and can be intimidating for many, unless professionally installed.

If you are a real videoholic I recommend getting an HDTV that has controls for use by an ISF trained and certified technician--because every set gets delivered way too bright. For those that are handy there are various video discs to help you greatly improve the picture without paying for an ISF technician--which will usually run between $275-$425, depending on the set and technology. But they have have very expensive tools and calibrations that they can perform that you will never be able to do.

Greg

Yeah, Vizio and Westinghouse have service departments that leave a lot to be desired. A lot of people have complained about Mitsubishi and Samsung, too. Vizio, Emprex and Insignia are newer companies. They are taking a bit of time to get their ducks in a row as far as PR and servicing. Note: I have a Westinghouse LCD in my bedroom. It has a few flaws that are well documented (locking up with low bit rate 1080i transmissions and audio clipping through the HDMI port). However, it still works. (Note: it was a $400 refurb. So, I kind of expected the whole disposable thing.)

Yeah, folks may complain about Mitsubishi and other Japanese brands but at least they ARE getting service. I have read some of these complaints and nearly all are complaining about their service expectations, how long it takes, rather than not getting any service at all. Samsung is not great at service nor is LG. The Chinese are simply put, terrible in most cases. While there are complaints about a 1-3 week turn around on Japanese product how about waiting 4-6 months on Chinese product just to talk to a local tech or get a part or find out they don't have parts and will send you a new TV...

If you are buying a product expecting it to be disposable then no big deal, go for price and if it lasts 10 years, great. If it breaks in 1-2 years do you have a right to be upset...?

There is so much more that could be said and this would turn into a multi part column to cover all the different viewpoints. Bottom line is the low failure rate of the product versus the public expectation of service and parts to fix one is going to be weighed against the replacement cost and convenience of simply replacing that product whether in or out of warranty.

At this time the Japanese are supporting service and parts.

Here is one fact to ponder... Who pays for the manufacturers warranty? Customers. If I don't want to provide quality service to my customers I could slash my warranty program, reduce my costs and sell my product for less to the dealer. This is exactly what the service industry sees happening at this time and the Chinese are leading the way!