Vizio E601-A3 Owners Thread - Page 36

And it's gone. Could not figure out the random auto off problem and I have a 1/2 inch strip on the bottom of the screen that's a blur. Lolling forward to a problem free tv as it should be.

Since the $700 I spent on this HDTV was as much as I can possibly afford on a 60+ inch TV, I am going to try and take it back to Walmart to exchange it for a new unit. Hopefully, that will reboot my warranty to today's date too but I'll make sure to check on it beforehand. If they refuse to do an exchange on the TV because I no longer have the original box, I will be going the swap out route with Vizio... but once again will require them to extend the warranty on the new HDTV to the date I start using it or to give me an extended warranty for free, due to the expanding number of problems with this apparently defectively designed HDTV?

Tried to take it back to Walmart to exchange it for a new TV but surprise, surprise... none of my local stores have any in stock.

So, contacted Vizio and they are sending me a new replacement HDTV. Unfortunately, it will probably take 2 weeks before I get contacted by the shipper for delivery. It is coming from Cali so I hope they ship it today and then I get it in time for the Texan's playoff game in two weeks... assuming they win their game this Sunday and get a bye for week 1.

I didn't know this, I just wanted to be lazy by not changing the input on my receiver. Thanks for the info! But question, why would you want to mute the hdmi out on the Blu ray. It really shouldn't make a difference should it? I have my tv speakers set to off.

Texans? Dreamer. Go Cowboys!

LOL... Texans have clinched a playoff spot and a win this week guarantees them home field advantage throughout. The Cowboys need to win this week in Washington against the Redskins, just to make the playoffs. They lose, they stay home.

I dont blame you for wanting to keep the T.V. it does have a nice picture. I wish I would have paid what you did but I paid full price.

I didn't ask about when the warranty starts I guess I figured around the day they deliver the new tv but I should have asked.

Hopefully more people don't start complaining of defective units once they put a little more hours on them. It has sucked not having it for the past couple weeks of football which was basically the reason I bought it.

I am kinda stuck with this TV or with getting my $700 back from Walmart since I had to borrow just to come up with the $700 to buy it. We would still be using an old SD 20" in our family room sitting on a bar stool in front of the broken 64" Pioneer HDTV which I loved. That dinosaur still has the best HD 1080i image I have ever seen and was better for watching sports due to its' TOTAL LACK of fast action blurring. Didn't mind the TV box size either since it sat between my video source racks and not on top of them... like the Vizio now does.
Of course, my wife and kids love that we are trying to come into compliance with modern times and having a flat screen as our primary HDTV.

Even if the Vizio doesn't get here by the first Texans playoff game I can still do what I did the rest of this year and before getting the Vizio and go up to the gameroom and watch the game on another past Walmart Black Friday purchase... a 50" CRT/Rear Projection HDTV.. which I paid something like $588 to buy many years ago.

If the Vizio replacement doesn't work out, I can still return the TV to Walmart for my $700 and then shop around for an aged but new Mitsu DLP in a size at 60+ inches?

OH, and no they don't extend the warranty like HP did on my warranty repaired notebook... the warranty origination date on my replacement E601-A3 also begins on black Friday... so if I have any issue whatsoever with this replacement I will be taking it to Walmart for a cash back return... which they already said is okay for me to do if necessary.

Here is my experience with the Vizio E601i-A3 so far:

PANEL FAILURE

Similar to others' experiences, 23 days after installation, the image disappeared and did not return, although the backlighting was still on, and the audio continued to pass from the TV to my receiver. I had ordered my TV 32 days before it failed, but it took 9 days for delivery. Vizio said that they could only repair (not replace) TVs purchased more than 30 days prior. I was frustrated and made it clear that the TV still turned on (backlighting and audio), but that there was no image. I wanted to make sure that the repair person came with all of the parts necessary for the repair.

I waited 7 days for a repair visit from Vizio's local repair contractor, ITI (12/3/2012). The repair person arrived with a small box containing two circuit boards, two cables, and a USB drive with firmware, but, much to my frustration, Vizio had not supplied him with a replacement LCD panel. He removed about 20 screws to get the back cover off. He replaced the "main board," the "power board," and the two "FFC" ribbon cables. He then put the back cover back on and tried the TV. Not surprisingly to me, the problem remained, and he and the supervisor he called assessed it as a problem with the LCD panel. He then had to remove the back cover again, put all the old parts back in, and put the cover back on.

I called Vizio while the technician was still there. Vizio said that it was their policy to try to repair before replacing the whole TV, but that they do not repair/replace the LCD panel itself. They said that they needed the technician's notes to proceed with a replacement. Upon contacting Vizio the next day, they verified that the technician had submitted his notes. They went on to tell me that they would send a "re-certified" replacement TV that was "like new." They said that they would have to ship it to a "hub" somewhere, and then a company would contact me within 8-10 business days to set up a swap with my bad TV.

Needless to say, I was not very pleased at the amount of time it could take (I likely would have been using my 20" computer monitor as a substitute for the 60" TV for over a month during the repair/replacement debacle). Nor was I pleased that I was going to get a re-certified unit for my TV that worked for only 23 days. Vizio kept trying to convince me that the re-certified unit was essentially brand new and would be fine. It is interesting to note, however, that Vizio re-certified TVs only have 90 day warranties, as opposed to the full year on brand new units. If they are equivalent to new, why don't they back them with the same warranty? (Note that I would still have been covered through a year based on my original warranty.)

After a great deal of complaining and negotiating, I proposed two alternatives. First, I proposed accepting the re-certified unit, as long as it was in mint condition cosmetically, and as long as Vizio offered a free 5-year extended warranty to back up their claim that it would be fine. Alternatively, I asked for a new replacement given that my TV only lasted 23 days, and given that I already had to endure a failed attempt at repair. Eventually, they agreed to the new replacement but explicitly reminded me that the warranty was only for one year. I received the replacement TV about 7 days later, and it is currently still working.

AUDIO SYNC ISSUE

With my Time Warner Cable-provided Motorola DCH3416 HD DVR box connected to the TV with an HDMI cable, and with the TV connected to my audio-video receiver with an optical audio cable, audio/video sync seems to get progressively worse over time when watching certain channels. After several hours, the sync can be off by several seconds, making it unwatchable. When connecting the cable box directly to my receiver with an optical audio cable, the audio sync issue is still present. Other devices (e.g., DVD player and Apple TV) also sometimes have a perceptible audio sync problem, although it is more subtle in those cases--probably in the milliseconds rather than seconds.

Similar to what others have reported here, the cable box-related audio sync problem can be temporarily fixed by power cycling the TV or jumping back or forward with the DVR function (or by changing channels). This is clearly an issue with Vizio, as I do not have the same problem with other LCD-based displays in the same/similar setups, and there are many reports on the Internet of the problem with several different cable box models.

When I contacted Vizio support, they seemed to be aware of the problem and suggested that I select PCM audio output on my cable box (rather than Dolby Digital). This is consistent with reports by other customers. It is my understanding, though, that PCM from cable boxes is typically limited to simple two-channel stereo (that is certainly the case with mine). So, even if the forced PCM audio output fix works, it can eliminate Dolby Digital surround sound.

I am still able to connect the cable box directly to my receiver with a digital optical cable, and Dolby Digital is retained, despite setting PCM audio on the cable box (the setting is specifically for the HDMI output). It seems strange, though, that changing the type of audio fed to the Vizio TV by the cable box through the HDMI cable (from Dolby Digital to PCM) would fix the problem, even when the audio feed to the TV was not being used. That would mean that Dolby Digital audio is somehow screwing up the timing of the video on the TV? I will give the PCM fix a try.

Vizio would not acknowledge that there was any issue with their TV, and rather chose to blame the cable box, claiming: "The newer TVs that we manufacturer are set up for PCM rather than Dolby Digital. So it is not a defect in the TV, you will just have to connect it a different way." I am not sure what that is supposed to mean. Any ideas?

The Vizio representative also asked whether my receiver was using ARC, so perhaps they are aware of issues in that regard, as well. In addition, the Vizio seems more sensitive to different HDMI cables. Video periodically drops out completely (screen flashes to black for a few seconds) with cables that work fine with other displays.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that there is a simple common sense reason for the lip sync caused by audio delay - differential processing paths of audio vs video.

Here is what I mean.
If you take a source and simply connect the HDMI cable to the TV but then use the TV's optical digital output to run that digital audio to your processor, you end up with this processing chain of audio vs video.
VIDEO - 1) HDMI Digital Input processed to images on screen.
AUDIO - 1) HDMI Digital Input processed to analog for output via TV speakers. 2) Audio then reprocessed by TV from analog to digital for output via Optical Digital Output. 3)Optical Digital Signal is then reprocessed by your HT preamp/receiver from digital back to analog and sent to your HT speakers.
I would guess that if the original HDMI audio digital signal is multichannel like DD, that increased processing time would only be increased?

It may be this extra processing of the audio signal which could easily cause lip sync in these system setups.

A test for this may be simply bypassing the TV with your digital audio signal by running a digital audio cable directly from your source unit to your processor while using the HDMI TV connection only for video and for watching TV when using only the TV's onboard speakers?

Does this make sense or is there more to this problem?

On its face, that might make sense. Unfortunately, your suggested setup is the way I had my system set up originally, and the audio sync was a problem. I had my cable box connected to the TV by HDMI, and my cable box connected to my AV receiver by digital optical. When that didn't work, I thought perhaps switching the digital optical to go from my TV to my receiver might help, under the assumption that the TV would know to delay the audio the same amount as the video. Now, I have gone back to the original setup (essentially as you described), but now I have the cable box sending PCM through the HDMI cable to the TV, and the cable box is still sending Dolby Digital directly to my receiver. The question is whether the TV will keep its video going at full speed when receiving the PCM signal vs. Dolby Digital. Seems weird to me. And Vizio is in denial that their TV could be at fault--at least publicly.

Unfortunately, the requirement of HDMI(and elimination of other HD connections) by the Hollywood/Industry Anti-Piracy Consortium has resulted in alot of HDTVs to exhibit lip sync. I can remember talking about it as far back as 5(or more?) years ago here on AVS and on HTF and on a few other lesser HT forums and forums which no longer exist. Almost always, the lip sync occurred when the HDTVs were connected to cable/satellite/fios boxes via HDMI with audio output from those boxes set on DD. I don't know why this occurs in some but not in others, but maybe it has to do with cutting corners by a company using a processor or internal algorithm developed by themselves and not "purchased" from an outside proven source in order to save money to sell a lower priced HDTV vs comparable competition? Then again, I can remember threads talking about lip sync problems in Sony, LG and Samsung units along now of course with Vizio.

Can't imagine WHY these companies don't test their products with a variety of sources before they take them to market? I used to do beta testing for a couple of smaller AV manufacturers and one of the reasons they chose me was because I had such a variety of other components to test with their new units. Seems that Vizio and other companies think that beta testing consists of sending out a handful of units to Reviewers....

Hello,

I am having an issue where my Vizio E601i-A3 TV and Sony STR-DH520 AVR aren't getting along.

(A quick search didn't present an obvious answer... but perhaps one of you can help.)

To make a long story short, when the TV turns on, it wakes up the AVR using CEC (a feature I want), but then 2-seconds later the AVR flips into ARC mode ("TV" mode [button 5 on the Sony remote]).

However, I am not using the TV in a mode where ARC is needed (for example, I'm not using Vizio's Netflix client). All I want to do is watch TiVo (which comes into the TV through HDMI 1 (via the AVR).

This means I have to manually switch the AVR back to the HDMI 1 (press "BD/DVD" [button 1 on the Sony remote) to get TiVo's audio. Very annoying.

I want CEC enabled (for the TV to turn on the AVR) as well as System Audio Control (so I can adjust the AVR volume from the TV or TiVo remote). This way I can use one or two remotes (TV or TiVo) to do just about anything I want. It also allows me to use the pass-thru function should I want to watch TV after powering the AVR off (late at night, etc.)

The AVR inputs are TiVO (HDMI 1), Apple TV (HDMI 2) and PS3 (HDMI 3).

I've got HDMI output of the AVR going into HDMI 1 of the TV.

As I suggested above, the TV has CEC and System Audio Control enabled.

The AVR has Control for HDMI (CTRL.HDMI) enabled.

It seems this is an issue with the Vizio... since it is the one that issues the ARC signal.

I called Vizio tech support and Sony tech support... but both are pointing the finger at one another.

Vizio says, "The AVR isn't processing the TV's CEC or ARC commands properly."

Sony says, "The TV is sending ARC commands to the AVR when it shouldn't."

Any ideas?

Just wanted to give everyone an update on my tv. I've had it for about a month now and have had zero lip sync issues. I have this tv setup in my basement connected to an HD antenna for local channels (looks amazing), a Onkyo surround sound that is passing all my devices, a Roku XS connected for Netflix and Plex, Xbox 360 and PS3.

I do have a few cloudy spots that I can see when the tv boots up but I've never noticed the while watching any movies or playing games.

I should be mounting my tv in the next week or so. Will post some setup pics once I have it up.

I wonder how many of us in this sucky economy are down to only OTA for our broadcast TV?
Seems like that when it comes to the Vizio E601i, that may be a blessing and not a disadvantage?

I too have had no problems with lip sync before it all came crashing down when my picture disappeared a few days ago... got a new unit coming but if there is anything at all wrong with it... and that includes ONE noticable dead pixel, the TV will be back at Walmart for a full refund.

Ok finally hooked up my xbox to this TV. Had the video delay issue and put on game mode through the TV setting and that fixed that. Now for the life of me I can't figure out why there is a sound delay? I had the lip sync issue on 1 channel over my Comcast cable but I did the tip from a member who posted in this thread on switching the box settings to L-PCM or something like that. I did that and it fixed the lip sync issue I was having when watching cable.

Is there any way to fix this sound delay when playing my xbox 360? I do have the Vizio soundbar but I switched to the TV speakers and it was the same problem with the slight delay. Actually upsets me because I finally fixed the cable lip sync now there is gaming sound issues?!

It's funny the amount of crap people will put up with for a decent deal. I don't care if it was $100.... I work hard for my money and expect something new to act like its new with no flaws.....

my tv has been perfect....i do have the time warner cable box set to L PMC, no lip sync issues, no picture issues, nothing....

There's audio settings in the Xbox 360, change it to something different and see if that fixes it. I had bad audio lag on Call of Duty and Skyrim but I changed my 360's audio to I think dolby digital and the lag went away completely.

I sent an e-mail to vizio asking for an ETA on new firmware that corrects the lip-sync issue. I will let everyone know the response.

this should be good.....

Mmmmmm, football!

Yeah. If Vizio is anything like any other electronic manufacturer they'll never admit any problem until they have a fix in place.

I have already spoken with them on the phone when my picture went out after a whopping 2 weeks of use... They told me they are aware of the lip sync complaint and are looking into it.... my guess is there wont be any changes because many people have zero problems with sync... and most who are using the TV speakers say they have no problem either... I won't get my new set for at least another 10 days to 2 weeks but when I do it better work longer than 2 weeks or I'll probably be buying brand X .....

In defense of Vizio and my personal feelings, I did buy a 32 inch LED Vizio to watch while I wait for my new E601 ... it's been great so far.... the sad thing about these new sets is they can't run like the older TV I had which was a Hitachi rear projection unit that ran 24 hours a day 7 days a week for over 5 years and it's still running but I gave it to a friend when I bought the Vizio.... It was going on 9 years old and still solid as a rock picture and great colors too... But I wanted a slim flat screen to make space in my living room so I bought the Vizio... Mine had a bad panel, as well as lip sync issues.... so I'm keeping my fingers crossed..

Well chalk me up as another person whos tv just went out! Minutes ago, no picture but backlight and sound is still on. Perfect timing! I think I'm not going to deal with this and just bring it back to Costco for a different 60". Mine was bought the first week of November.


All done. Took it back. Was looking at the LG model but, not sure I like the magic remote. I left with nothing and went to HH Greg to look around. I'm going to have to do some research again.
Edited by Tom Bley - 12/31/12 at 11:18am

If I have my Comcast box set to auto or pass through and use the internal Vizio speakers I notice the lip sync issue over time. I currently have it set L-PCM and have not noticed the issue, but now if I use my optical out to my receiver I have no Dolby sound.

Reading these threads if I understand them correctly, the auto sync issue also occurs if one runs a HDMI from the cable box to the AVR and then to the TV too? If at some point I update my receiver to one that takes in HDMI this will not remove the lip sync issue?

Thus it seems like one can expect tohave the lip sync issue unless one gives up Dolby by setting the cable box to L-PCM.

Sound right?

I have had this set a few weeks now, and the lip sync issue has only been witnessed twice; and both times it was fixed with a quick channel change. I have my cable box, roku, and blu-ray player all hooked up to my onkyo receiver, with one hdmi going from receiver to tv. Not sure if my lack of lip sync can be attributed to my set up or not. Others have had success using high speed hdmi cables to fix that problem.. Maybe I got lucky...or maybe Ms. Lip Sync is waiting for me around the corner.

good luck,
greg

Greg,
I think you hit the proper way to avoid lip sync. I may be wrong, but it seems that folks who have lip sync are running an HDMI from their sources to the TV and then using the single optical out to run to their AVR/preamp which then processes the digital audio sending it back to the speakers. Before my Vizio went dark, I had no lip sync and ONLY used the HDMI connection for in TV processing and display and sound from onboard TV speakers. When I wanted to use my AV Preamp for 5.1/7.1 audio, I muted my TV speakers and send a digital audio coax or optical cable directly to my AVPreamp. It seems to me that processing the HDMI audio through the TV on its' way to the AVR/AVP introduces additional processing time over and above the video processing which takes place in the TV via HDMI. It makes sense to me that the onscreen TV video would match the timing of when the audio is leaving the TV via the optical digital output and so by the time it returns from your DD processor, it is late and lip sync occurs.

I am hoping that the use of just HDMI between devices eliminates the lip sync issue since I'll update to a newer AVR at some point. However I have seen the lip sync issue with just the TV speakers. Granted I do have an optical connection but my receiver was not on. A channel change fixed the issue.