TV died need help with new one. TIA

[demarpaint]

My TV died, and I'm in the market for a new one. It's been years since I bought a TV and I am getting confusing info. I narrowed it down to two Vizio models and would like to know the difference between the two and which is better. Thanks for your time!

VIZIO M420SL 42-Inch 120Hz LED-lit TV

VIZIO E420i-A1 42-inch 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV

My main concern is picture quality and life of the set.

 

[WiskyBadger]

Go with the 1080p. I know you said you got it narrowed down to Vizio, but I have found Samsung to have the best picture, best quality and last the longest.Just my 2 cents

 

[RamFan]

I got the Vizio E3D420VX which I think is similar to your second choice except LCD and 3D. I've not had any issues with it and the internet apps are a nice touch that I've actually used more than I thought I would. It glitches sometimes, I'll turn it on and go to change the channel right away or turn the volume and it won't respond. I'll either have to wait or just turn it off and turn it back on. I have a feeling that Smart TVs have a few kinks that need to get ironed out before they run seamlessly. That being said, my only complaint is that it isn't bigger!

 

[demarpaint]

Both of my choices are 1080p. I'm trying to figure out why the one that isn't a smart TV is more, and the difference between LED, and LED-lit? Thanks for the replies.

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint

My main concern is picture quality and life of the set.


Avoid Vizio then - COMPARE the PQ of other brands (Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic) before going with a vizio

 

[IndyIan]

I just got a new TV as well, I sorted through the editors reviews on cnet.com by their ratings until I got down to one inexpensive enough. Some Vizios scored well, some didn't, I got a toshiba 40" LED for my bright room.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Buying TV's based on brand is not a good plan anymore, the quality of models differs so much that you cannot simply say things like "Sony is the best" anymore.

Check consumer reports and tons of online reviews before you decide what tv to purchase to avoid any headaches when you get home with it.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Originally Posted By: demarpaint

My main concern is picture quality and life of the set.


Avoid Vizio then - COMPARE the PQ of other brands (Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic) before going with a vizio


I thought this also when I was TV shopping. Then I started looking heavily at the reviews. PC Mag or Cnet stated that the 3D picture on the Vizio I purchased was great and rivaled the higher end models. I can agree after watching 3D movies on it first hand, it is second to none imo. I can't imagine it getting better on another set.

 

[bepperb]

Is the non smart but more expensive edge lit TV a lot thinner? It should be thinner than the backlit LED that's cheaper.

To be honest a 42" tv is a disposable item. I'd go to Costco where they give you a two year warranty for free and just buy whatever you think looks best. The brand of the TV is not the same as the brand of the panel, and in the 42" range the models turn over so fast finding a review for what you can buy is difficult. Be careful most people just buy whatever is brightest and the stores probably do nothing to adjust the picture to the store environment (which is very bright, with unnatural light, and you're closer to the TV than normal). Also, a tv that looks small in a store will look huge at home.

 

[demarpaint]

I was reading reviews this morning. The TV died yesterday so I'm trying to get an education fast! I ruled out Samsung from a problem we had with a set a few years ago, that my son had when he lived home. Less than 2.5 years and it was shot, and not worth repairing. I know it can happen with any brand but it left me with a bad taste. I heard Vizio was good so I started there. Thanks for the replies.

 

[KrisZ]

The first one you listed says it's LED edge lit, so it should be thinner than the other, if that matters to you. On the other hand, the back lit LED will probably have back light zone control which will result in deeper black levels.

If thickens of the set is of no concern I would pick the smart TV with back lit LED. JMO.

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks the thickness means nothing, what it is replacing is the size of a midsized doghouse. LOL

 

[javacontour]

Thickness matters in one regard, sound quality. It seems difficult to produce good sound from a thin TV.

My advice, from personal experience, listen to it if you are hoping it will provide the sound as well as the picture.

 

[supton]

I'd buy two TV's. That way next time you won't "have" to immediately buy a new TV. We did that last year, replacing all our CRT's--it hurt doing so, as I hated getting rid of a good-working items; but IMO in a few years it's going to get more expensive to throwout CRT's. We bought one good one (well, so-so) and one cheaper one that is less used. If they are as un-robust as indicated, you might as well plan for breakage.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
Thickness matters in one regard, sound quality. It seems difficult to produce good sound from a thin TV.

My advice, from personal experience, listen to it if you are hoping it will provide the sound as well as the picture.



I have the space and prefer thicker, its also less $$. Thanks!

 

[wymi516]

Bought a 42" Vizio two years ago. It's got a great picture and the built in sound bar on the bottom really nice. It's on almost 16 hours a day and still going strong!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: wymi516
Bought a 42" Vizio two years ago. It's got a great picture and the built in sound bar on the bottom really nice. It's on almost 16 hours a day and still going strong!


My son, nieces and nephews are happy with them which swayed me that way.

 

[apwillard1986]

I think too much emphasis is placed on how thick these things are. Thick is relative, a 1.5 inch thin LED TV is only a single inch thinner than its “thicker” LCD counter part in most cases. The thinner they are the hotter they seem to run and the worse they sound. Both are supremely thinner than the CRTs. I can lift our Vizio E3D470VX by myself no problem (try that with a big CRT). It has forward facing speakers so it sounds a lesser degree of awful than most. I guess it might make a difference if you are hanging it but for most it is one more area for the marketing departments to battle over.

Vizio is a great choice. I have had direct experience with Sony, Samsung, and Vizio. I have not seen one of those three that I thought was built any better than the other. At least not where it counts since a lot of the components are made by the same two or three companies. Years ago you could walk into a store and look and tell at a distance which TVs where made by Sony or Samsung. Those days are waning now.

Consider an auxiliary means of getting the audio to your ears vs. the built in speakers. They can print all the buzz words they want on the front about audio but all the technology in the world won’t change physics. Tiny speakers don’t bump a lot of air and as such don’t make full, rich sound. If you are coming off of a CRT panel you will be disappointed at how much worse the new panel sounds comparatively.

Many people look at how bright a picture is and judge an HDTV based on that. It is why you see folks standing around watching the one in the store with the brightness and backlight redlined. It is important to calibrate the TV for an accurate picture more so than a bright one.

 

[THORROMIG]

I also have a new 42inch Vizio 1080p with the 3D. TV has my girl & I very happy with picture & quality overall. I must say, I had a Phillips 40" LED 1080p and it went dead not even after 2 years. I bought the extended warranty & "thank god" I did. It just gives you a piece of mind getting the warranty with how business makes things sooooo disposable these days. My Aunt paid good money for a Sony 42" HDTV that didnt even last 3 years soo its not just the cheaper name brands. When it comes to electronics & appliances I ALWAYS get the extended warranty. If you have a BestBuy around you they have a 4 year warranty after the initial 1 yr warranty for $49.99. I just bought my Momma a new 39" 1080p Insignia LCD TV for Christmas. I scooped that warranty right up!! Vizio is a great set by the way!!!

 

[Hermann]

I have 2 different Vizio 32" LCD. One s 5 years old and one is 4 yr old. Both have been flawless, but the older one which was $120 higher has a noticeably better picture. Better contrast and less artifacts. Both are 720p. The better one looks great on my Panny Blu-ray when it is set at 720p output, as that is the native resolution of the screen. My guess it has a IPS panel and the other one does not. I guess I am trying to say, don't buy the cheapest. Another $100-$200 spread out over 5-10 years is worth it.