Kelvarr
10-03-07, 11:05 AM
Let me start by saying that I have had my VP50 for almost 3 months. I have about 1 week before my 90 days are up at Costco.
I am trying to decide whether to return this and get the Panny or keep the Vizio. Here is the list of things:
- The Vizio does seem to be very susceptible to IR. The IR does fade after a few minutes of watching full screen. Sometimes it is noticable (but only when watching something with a lot of black in it...otherwise, non-noticable).
- The Vizio does NOT seem to have any of the buzzing, clicking, stuck or dead pixels that seem to plague PDP's.
- The Vizio HAS spontaneously shut off on us before (3 times on wife). We didn't have to unplug it or anything, but it did shut off, and we had to turn back on in the middle of the show. It hasn't done this in about 1.5-2 months though, so I am not sure whether it was a fluke or what.
- I am very impressed with the PQ overall of the Vizio, even on SD channels.
- Seating distance: Closest: 6 ft; Farthest: 11 ft. I would say that I can see some of the SDE and some of the compression artifacts from the closest seat (not enough to really bother me though), but it is crystal clear from the farthest.
- Power: Vizio's site says the VP50 uses 490W average. Seems like a lot. I have the contrast turned down to ~40, and no Kill-A-Watt, so I don't know how much it is using.
Staying with the Vizio Pros
50"
PQ
SD PQ
No stuck or dead pixels that I can see
Already set up
Staying with the Vizio Cons
IR
Spontaneous shut-down (even though it hasn't happened in a while)
Power consumption
Won't accept 1080p signal
Possible capacitor pop in the future? Something that seems to have plagued the Vizio's
Panasonic Pros
Anti-Glare screen (The Vizio is better than the RPCRT it replaced, but the Panny would be better yet)
Pixel Wobble (helps with IR?)
Will accept 1080p via HDMI
Power Consumption of 387W
Matte Finished Bezel
Top-Tier manufacturer
Panasonic Cons
Would have to set up all over again
42"
Inputs on the back aren't all facing down like the Vizio. Some point out the back.
I will say 1024x768 resolution, but subsequent reading has said this isn't really a big deal.
No PiP or PoP
I can get the Panasonic for $100 less than I paid for the VP50. Given my seating distance, I think either one would work. There are a few times the VP50 seems a bit too big, but there are times I think the 42 may be too small (like when watching any 2.35:1 Widescreen film, such as Lord of the Rings, which is always in the DVD player it seems).
I don't have Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Nor do I have XBox 360, Wii, PS3. I plan on having one of the HD format, and one of either the 360 or PS3 within a year. I do have an XBox1 that will be hooked up to the Plasma.
Can anyone give me insight as to what they think? Or anything that I may have missed? How is the IR on the PC/PX 77U? The IR would be the primary reason for returning the VP50. The wife and I are both somewhat bothered that a >$1000 TV has this much of an issue. If anything bright comes on for even a second, it IR's. The other reason is the spontaneous shut down. This may be a phantom reason, as like I said, it hasn't done it in over a month.
Thanks in advance.
I am trying to decide whether to return this and get the Panny or keep the Vizio. Here is the list of things:
- The Vizio does seem to be very susceptible to IR. The IR does fade after a few minutes of watching full screen. Sometimes it is noticable (but only when watching something with a lot of black in it...otherwise, non-noticable).
- The Vizio does NOT seem to have any of the buzzing, clicking, stuck or dead pixels that seem to plague PDP's.
- The Vizio HAS spontaneously shut off on us before (3 times on wife). We didn't have to unplug it or anything, but it did shut off, and we had to turn back on in the middle of the show. It hasn't done this in about 1.5-2 months though, so I am not sure whether it was a fluke or what.
- I am very impressed with the PQ overall of the Vizio, even on SD channels.
- Seating distance: Closest: 6 ft; Farthest: 11 ft. I would say that I can see some of the SDE and some of the compression artifacts from the closest seat (not enough to really bother me though), but it is crystal clear from the farthest.
- Power: Vizio's site says the VP50 uses 490W average. Seems like a lot. I have the contrast turned down to ~40, and no Kill-A-Watt, so I don't know how much it is using.
Staying with the Vizio Pros
50"
PQ
SD PQ
No stuck or dead pixels that I can see
Already set up
Staying with the Vizio Cons
IR
Spontaneous shut-down (even though it hasn't happened in a while)
Power consumption
Won't accept 1080p signal
Possible capacitor pop in the future? Something that seems to have plagued the Vizio's
Panasonic Pros
Anti-Glare screen (The Vizio is better than the RPCRT it replaced, but the Panny would be better yet)
Pixel Wobble (helps with IR?)
Will accept 1080p via HDMI
Power Consumption of 387W
Matte Finished Bezel
Top-Tier manufacturer
Panasonic Cons
Would have to set up all over again
42"
Inputs on the back aren't all facing down like the Vizio. Some point out the back.
I will say 1024x768 resolution, but subsequent reading has said this isn't really a big deal.
No PiP or PoP
I can get the Panasonic for $100 less than I paid for the VP50. Given my seating distance, I think either one would work. There are a few times the VP50 seems a bit too big, but there are times I think the 42 may be too small (like when watching any 2.35:1 Widescreen film, such as Lord of the Rings, which is always in the DVD player it seems).
I don't have Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Nor do I have XBox 360, Wii, PS3. I plan on having one of the HD format, and one of either the 360 or PS3 within a year. I do have an XBox1 that will be hooked up to the Plasma.
Can anyone give me insight as to what they think? Or anything that I may have missed? How is the IR on the PC/PX 77U? The IR would be the primary reason for returning the VP50. The wife and I are both somewhat bothered that a >$1000 TV has this much of an issue. If anything bright comes on for even a second, it IR's. The other reason is the spontaneous shut down. This may be a phantom reason, as like I said, it hasn't done it in over a month.
Thanks in advance.