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Vizio VP42 Plasma HDTV - Official Thread - Page 15

post #421 of 568
8/26/07 at 10:56am
Vizio's buying the extended warranty from the company creating/honoring the extended warranty

Costco's buying the TV's from the company that is creating/manufacturing the TV's.
(Buying direct and "resells" to the consumer -- to Vizio, Costco is a reseller.)

The consumer is buying from the middle man (I.e. reseller) for both the TV (when bought from Costco) and the warranty (when bought from Vizio).
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post #422 of 568
8/27/07 at 8:15pm
After messing around with the set for a few days, I've realized why I hated the edge enhancement so much -- it wasn't edge enhancement. It was the "adaptive luma" setting, which also kind of accentuates edges, and also majorly crushes blacks and generally makes the picture look like crap. With it off everything looks PERFECT.

The problem is that it comes back on every time I change inputs, change resolutions, or turn the TV off. It says it's off, but it's on (I have to go into the advanced menu, turn it to "on" -- which doesn't do anything because it's already on -- then turn it off). This is a pain in the butt, and a pretty serious bug.

The reason I thought that the RGB input looked so good is the adaptive luma setting doesn't affect it. With it off, HDMI, component, etc. look just as good.

I can't really believe that no one else has noticed this. Is it just my set? Is it possible that I'm in some kind of "store mode" that turns this crap on every time I change inputs or resolutions?
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post #423 of 568
8/27/07 at 9:03pm
By the way.. on my set when i watch over the air HD material the sound is not synked with the picture. Like when you hear peoples lips moving before the sound comes out.
Is this a TV issue or the HD signal?
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post #424 of 568
8/27/07 at 10:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisherbert View Post

After messing around with the set for a few days, I've realized why I hated the edge enhancement so much -- it wasn't edge enhancement. It was the "adaptive luma" setting, which also kind of accentuates edges, and also majorly crushes blacks and generally makes the picture look like crap. With it off everything looks PERFECT.

The problem is that it comes back on every time I change inputs, change resolutions, or turn the TV off. It says it's off, but it's on (I have to go into the advanced menu, turn it to "on" -- which doesn't do anything because it's already on -- then turn it off). This is a pain in the butt, and a pretty serious bug.

The reason I thought that the RGB input looked so good is the adaptive luma setting doesn't affect it. With it off, HDMI, component, etc. look just as good.

I can't really believe that no one else has noticed this. Is it just my set? Is it possible that I'm in some kind of "store mode" that turns this crap on every time I change inputs or resolutions?

Hmmm, weird. I have everything off in the Advanced Adjust, except DNR set to Low on most inputs I believe. My settings do stay and are actually turned off. I wonder if there's a way you could update the firmware or something like that?
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post #425 of 568
8/27/07 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oraphus View Post

By the way.. on my set when i watch over the air HD material the sound is not synked with the picture. Like when you hear peoples lips moving before the sound comes out.
Is this a TV issue or the HD signal?

In my experience that is a signal issue. I assume you are talking about the speakers on the set?
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post #426 of 568
8/27/07 at 10:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

Hmmm, weird. I have everything off in the Advanced Adjust, except DNR set to Low on most inputs I believe. My settings do stay and are actually turned off. I wonder if there's a way you could update the firmware or something like that?

Are you positive that they really stay off? On my set, the adaptive luma setting says it's off, but it isn't. I have to switch it on then off again to truly turn it off.

Would you mind checking it out for me on your set?
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post #427 of 568
8/27/07 at 10:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oraphus View Post

By the way.. on my set when i watch over the air HD material the sound is not synked with the picture. Like when you hear peoples lips moving before the sound comes out.
Is this a TV issue or the HD signal?

I don't have this problem, though there are certain channels that are out of sync. It's a source issue for me, because I've seen it on other TVs.
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post #428 of 568
8/27/07 at 11:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisherbert View Post

Are you positive that they really stay off? On my set, the adaptive luma setting says it's off, but it isn't. I have to switch it on then off again to truly turn it off.

Would you mind checking it out for me on your set?

Well, I just did and you're right. The difference in edge quality is indecipherable to my eyes (watching Sportscenter in HD), however the black level changes are obvious. I tried several different combinations of actions: switching inputs, turning on, turning off, etc. Curiously though, I was able to get the behavior NOT to occur, it happened after I set my HDMI input (Motorola STB) to Adaptive Luma off, turned the set off, and turned it back on. It's possible that my eyes missed something on that trial, because there were occasions of turning it off and turning it back on that still created the behavior.

At any rate, I use my Xbox 360 through RGB to watch movies and play games, and I've been satisfied with the quality of my HD cable, so maybe I am just not as sensitive to the differences as you.
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post #429 of 568
8/28/07 at 6:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

Well, I just did and you're right. The difference in edge quality is indecipherable to my eyes (watching Sportscenter in HD), however the black level changes are obvious. I tried several different combinations of actions: switching inputs, turning on, turning off, etc. Curiously though, I was able to get the behavior NOT to occur, it happened after I set my HDMI input (Motorola STB) to Adaptive Luma off, turned the set off, and turned it back on. It's possible that my eyes missed something on that trial, because there were occasions of turning it off and turning it back on that still created the behavior.

At any rate, I use my Xbox 360 through RGB to watch movies and play games, and I've been satisfied with the quality of my HD cable, so maybe I am just not as sensitive to the differences as you.

The difference isn't always huge, depending on what you're watching, but most of the time it really does make a big change. I was pretty dissatisfied with the HD cable picture before figuring this out. Maybe I can create a macro on my remote that'll do this automatically.

What also bugs me about the automatic luma thing is that it constantly changes the brightness of the picture. For example, when I bring up the guide or the TV's setup menu, the picture suddenly gets dark. With it off that doesn't happen.
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post #430 of 568
8/28/07 at 7:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

Hmmm, weird. I have everything off in the Advanced Adjust, except DNR set to Low on most inputs I believe. My settings do stay and are actually turned off. I wonder if there's a way you could update the firmware or something like that?

I don't think Vizio has ever issued a firmware update for any of their TVs, so we're probably out of luck.
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post #431 of 568
8/28/07 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

In my experience that is a signal issue. I assume you are talking about the speakers on the set?

yes, i was refering to the speakers on the set. I only see this with HD material, reg cable looks fine.
Is there anything i can do to sync the picture with the sound. I notice that when i go in to menu and chancge to Antenna Vs Cable signal setting and then switch it back to cable the sound and the picture gets synked up, but then over time in the next 15-30 min they will again go out of sync.
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post #432 of 568
8/28/07 at 10:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oraphus View Post

yes, i was refering to the speakers on the set. I only see this with HD material, reg cable looks fine.
Is there anything i can do to sync the picture with the sound. I notice that when i go in to menu and chancge to Antenna Vs Cable signal setting and then switch it back to cable the sound and the picture gets synked up, but then over time in the next 15-30 min they will again go out of sync.

Not that I know of. I've experienced this usually with ABC HD shows, and when it happens if I check another HD channel, everything is fine. So in my case I really think it is the source.
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post #433 of 568
8/28/07 at 10:46pm
I've set up a macro on my comcast remote to fix the stupid adaptive luma thing with one button. That makes it less of a hassle.

If you're interested in seeing what the picture should look like without the adaptive luma, make sure to set the brightness a couple of clicks down. It looks great.
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post #434 of 568
9/4/07 at 12:37pm
Hello all,
Good stuff in this thread. I have a question. Do you guys can see information in the guide provided in menu of the tv. I have the cable line connected directly in the TV and some channels (I assume the analogs), the guide does not open. On the digital it opens, but is empty. I also assume that the guide is "provided" by the cable company, in this case TW-Rochester, NY. The manual says nothing about it other than "this button shows you the guide". Any help??? Other question, when browsing channels in the same input, sometimes it freezes, have you guys seen this???

Thanks,
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post #435 of 568
9/4/07 at 2:17pm
I see guide data on about 75% of the OTA stations that I receive (digital only). I don't get some of them because the station doesn't provide it. LIN TV is horrible, but luckily they own the NBC affiliate that doesn't have any good shows anyway.

You won't see any guide data filled (analog or digital) with a cable box / cable service. It, in most cases, isn't their for the TV to decode.

Not sure what you mean by "channels on the same input" If it is through the built in tuner, I've never seen a freeze, if it is through you cable box, the TV doesn't change anything, so it is more than likely your box freezing.
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post #436 of 568
9/4/07 at 6:00pm
It is through the built in tuner. I will try again to see if it freezes.
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post #437 of 568
9/7/07 at 6:05pm
Here's a News story about Vizio

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D8RGR6I83.html

Among other things it says that Vizio is the #1 seller of flat screen TVs in the U.S.
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post #438 of 568
9/26/07 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pm2501 View Post

If you're playing an Xbox 360 on your VP42, make sure that you get the VGA cable accessory. Playing at 1366x768 (recommended VGA resolution) is nice and smooth and has the added bonus of upscaling the 480p standard DVD playback.

I've not only been playing games and watching DVDs on my VP42 & 360, but I've also been streaming .WMV files (mostly rips of my home DVD collection... sure is nice not to have to change discs) to my 360 and playing those on the VP42 as well.

I connected my 360 to my VP42 last night via the VGA cable. I didn't have the option of 1366x768. The best I could do was 1024x768. Does your box give you the option for 1366x768? What am I missing here? I am using a 3rd party 360 VGA connector, could that make a difference?
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post #439 of 568
9/26/07 at 9:36pm
Not sure if that would make a difference, but 1024x768 is 4:3 resolution. Make sure you've set the Xbox to be widescreen (16:9) first, then you should be able to choose 1366x768.
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post #440 of 568
9/26/07 at 11:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

Not sure if that would make a difference, but 1024x768 is 4:3 resolution. Make sure you've set the Xbox to be widescreen (16:9) first, then you should be able to choose 1366x768.

1024x768 can be a widescreen resolution on the Xbox 360 -- just make sure to select widescreen. I have my 360 connected to my VP42 at 1024x768 widescreen and it looks great.
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post #441 of 568
9/26/07 at 11:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sonaps View Post

I connected my 360 to my VP42 last night via the VGA cable. I didn't have the option of 1366x768. The best I could do was 1024x768. Does your box give you the option for 1366x768? What am I missing here? I am using a 3rd party 360 VGA connector, could that make a difference?

It should give you the option of 1360x768. Strange that it didn't.
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post #442 of 568
9/27/07 at 8:00am
SIAP, but I was trying to decide which one of these Vizio TVs I should buy. They are basically the same price right now at CC. I'm pretty new to this site and I have an overall lack of experience in the tech world. Can someone please explain to me the difference between the two and provide any advice you may have? I generally watch sports and movies.

Thanks!
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post #443 of 568
9/27/07 at 6:11pm
sports and movies? Go for the Plasma.

Pros for Plasma
1) Plasma bigger screen in your case
2) More contrast ratio (deeper blacks)
3) Better refresh rates means little to no ghosting (very important in sports)
4) If you are at least 9-10 feet from the screen 1080p gets you no advantage over 720p
5) Better viewing angles -- the picture won't wash when viewed from extreme side angles.

Cons for Plasma
1) Image retention is possible if watching the same show over and over with no commercials (I.e. stock ticker)
2) Use a margin amount of more energy (will vary depending on what's on TV)
3) Won't work well with a light shining right on the screen (I.e. in a bright office area). You may have some glaring.

This link provides some good info.

My cousin owns the 37" Vizio LCD and I own the 42" Vizio Plasma. Even he will admit that mine produces a better picture. So for the same price and 5" in screen size you can't lose with the Plasma.
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post #444 of 568
9/27/07 at 9:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisherbert View Post

1024x768 can be a widescreen resolution on the Xbox 360 -- just make sure to select widescreen. I have my 360 connected to my VP42 at 1024x768 widescreen and it looks great.

Oh cool, didn't realize that, but sure enough it's there! Anyhow, I just went with 1366x768 since I read that somewhere earlier in the thread.
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post #445 of 568
9/28/07 at 2:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

Oh cool, didn't realize that, but sure enough it's there! Anyhow, I just went with 1366x768 since I read that somewhere earlier in the thread.

1360x768 works too. You might try 1024x768 and see if it looks any better, but chances are that the difference will be very minor.
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post #446 of 568
10/1/07 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

Oh cool, didn't realize that, but sure enough it's there! Anyhow, I just went with 1366x768 since I read that somewhere earlier in the thread.

Why would you use 1366x768 when the screen's native resolution is 1024x768?
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post #447 of 568
10/2/07 at 8:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by agentq232 View Post

Why would you use 1366x768 when the screen's native resolution is 1024x768?

I've used both settings, and they are very similar.
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post #448 of 568
10/2/07 at 9:23am
I don't know, I misunderstood the 1024 thing thinking that was just for a 4:3 screen. I just set it at 1366 and haven't looked back. I may give the other settings a try tonight.
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post #449 of 568
10/2/07 at 10:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ Rider View Post

I don't know, I misunderstood the 1024 thing thinking that was just for a 4:3 screen. I just set it at 1366 and haven't looked back. I may give the other settings a try tonight.

1024 could be a little better, and it could possibly reduce the amount of lag.

A few days ago a switched to the official first party VGA cables, from the Dragon VGA I'd been using before, and the improvement was pretty significant. Even upscaled DVDs look better.
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post #450 of 568
10/7/07 at 9:38am
Well---I've had my new Vizio VP-42 for a few months now as a replacement for a defective P-42...I couldn't be happier!!!...So far, so good with this new set...No noise what so ever out of it and outstanding picture. I don't know if I received a hand picked "ringer" from Vizio or not but I am very pleased with this new replacement set...I just wanted to let you know of my situation...

Kevin
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