[SeaSpur]

Alright, I posted this on another non-related forum and someone advised me to come here and ask ya'll. I read around a bit to see if anyone else mentioned these TVs and didn't find exact references.


Basically, it is between a Vizio 42" (VP422HDTV10A) and Samsung 42" (PN42A400). They are the same price at Wal-Mart (Samsung was reduced recently) at about $700. Both are plasma.


What I first did was walk into Wal-Mart towards the TV section...but stood far away enough to not see prices or brand names. I picked out the 3 best TVs and walked towards them. The Vizio was the first I walked to out of all TVs...even the ones priced over $2000. I was amazed by the picture compared to others. This happened at 3 other Wal-Marts when I did the same...strange enough, so I felt like it was consistent.


BUT on the other hand, the Samsung is a stronger name...and it doesn't look bad either, just not as good as the Vizio. Many have told me to avoid Vizio because they are just a cheap knockoff that will leave me hanging dry if something goes wrong...but then I think "every company has to start somewhere." Samsung was the new guy on the block once as well.


As far as specs go, the Vizio wins with contrast ratio (30,000:1) and brightness (1500). It also has 3 HDMI connection compared to 3 on the Samsung.


Help me see the light here! Thanks guys and gals!


So, it is between these two...no need to direct me to another site unless it is Wal-Mart because I am using a big gift card to help in the purchase.

 

[daniel'son]

^^ .. i've read Samsung is nice; regarding manuf. contrast, they're meaningless.

edit: Samsung 42a400 mini-review, http://forums.soundandvisionmag.com/...ssage.id=38591


Vizio vp422 CNet review, http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-33130544.html
http://reviews.plasma_tvbuyingguide....zio-vp422.html (delete underscore)

 

[dtorz21]

use the gift card for tires or groceries and find a panasonic 42px80 for $100 less

 

[RYAXIN]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dtorz21 /forum/post/15509452


use the gift card for tires or groceries and find a panasonic 42px80 for $100 less

Here comes Panasonic to the rescue!!!

Stick with the Samsung...

 

[SeaSpur]

again, how come everyone seems to be against the Vizio (or at least not FOR it) when it is clearly the best looking in the store? i can't understand that so far...


also, why is contrast ratio irrelevant? i thought it was supposed to be quite important. if it is irrelevant, what specs do I need to be looking for?


don't get me wrong, I am totally for buying the Samsung if it is the best...but tell me why you think so at least. I want to make a sound decision here.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Up to now, Vizio has been a third tier company.

Many of their past panels have failed after very short lives.

They also were not up to par PQ wise.

They are getting better, but in your situation the Sammy is the way to go by a mile in my opinion.


The listed manuf. CR is B.S.

The real world number is below 2K for both of these.


The Sammy has a CMS(Color Management System) that allows the user to get spot on colors which is very important.

*If Sammy had gotten their black level down to Panny's(which hopefully will happen in '09), they would be set.

 

[SeaSpur]



Quote:
Originally Posted by E-A-G-L-E-S /forum/post/15509658


Up to now, Vizio has been a third tier company.

Many of their past panels have failed after very short lives.

They also were not up to par PQ wise.

They are getting better, but in your situation the Sammy is the way to go by a mile in my opinion.


The listed manuf. CR is B.S.

The real world number is below 2K for both of these.


The Sammy has a CMS(Color Management System) that allows the user to get spot on colors which is very important.

*If Sammy had gotten their black level down to Panny's(which hopefully will happen in '09), they would be set.

alright, so I think am leaning towards Samsung in that case. it does help they have the CMS and also the anti-burn in protection. i just wish it had 3 HDMI ports instead of 2.

 

[chrisherbert]

Yeah, you can probably do better than either of those. Shop around and get a PX80 or a PNA450 and do something else with the card.

 

[daniel'son]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaSpur /forum/post/15510191


alright, so I think am leaning towards Samsung in that case. it does help they have the CMS and also the anti-burn in protection. i just wish it had 3 HDMI ports instead of 2.

.. yes, as Chris mentions, a450 is good choice; believe a400 is Walmart's rebadged a450 w/ 1-less HDMI but is essentially the same.

 

[Bill1313]

Shop around because as above the PX80 or the A450 can be had for under $600. I bought my daughter the 50" PX80 & the reason I went with the Panny over a Samsung is Better Build Quality & Service & I would'nt even consider the Vizio until they have a lot better build quality then they do now.

 

[SeaSpur]

ahh this is so confusing. to be honest, i really don't want to have to purchase online...i'm moving in a week and wanted it in the new living room when i move in. also heard horror stories of them being shipped and cracked, etc.


i know most of you guys are very informed on television sets and always strive for the best over the average customer...but consider me slightly better than the average customer. i do my research and select the best with what i know...yet i wont go as far to buy online from the lowest possible price either if i can get a similar deal in store near me. ya know?


as far as the gift card, it was from my mother and she wants it to go to good use...and i'd also like to go ahead and get rid of it (afraid of losing it, etc).


one more thing...the samsung says 1024 x 768 resolution.


vizio says 1024 x 720. kinda odd to me.


i thought HD would have a industry standard.


if you happen to see another deal with Wal-Mart (although I have looked big time) and it is under $700, you might be able to convince me...but for someone like me who will watch TV, play PS3, and watch DVD and Blu-ray...would you tell someone to NOT buy it? maybe that is a better question?

 

[SeaSpur]

there is another TV for $100 more than I MIGHT consider buying if you feel it is worth the extra bit...


Philips 42" Class Full-HD 1080p LCD HDTV, 42PFL3603D/F7


29,000:1

1080p

500 cd/m2

1920x1080


at Wal-Mart and for $797, I am just trying to stay in my price range though...so that is definitely the max price I would go.

 

[chrisherbert]



Quote:
Originally Posted by daniel'son /forum/post/15510290


.. yes, as Chris mentions, a450 is good choice; believe a400 is Walmart's rebadged a450 w/ 1-less HDMI but is essentially the same.

I have actually read that the 400 is significantly inferior to the 450. I think it's based on the Samsung 2007 models.

 

[chrisherbert]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaSpur /forum/post/15510644


there is another TV for $100 more than I MIGHT consider buying if you feel it is worth the extra bit...


Philips 42" Class Full-HD 1080p LCD HDTV, 42PFL3603D/F7


29,000:1

1080p

500 cd/m2

1920x1080


at Wal-Mart and for $797, I am just trying to stay in my price range though...so that is definitely the max price I would go.

Nah, don't get that one.

 

[chrisherbert]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaSpur /forum/post/15510583


ahh this is so confusing. to be honest, i really don't want to have to purchase online...i'm moving in a week and wanted it in the new living room when i move in. also heard horror stories of them being shipped and cracked, etc.


i know most of you guys are very informed on television sets and always strive for the best over the average customer...but consider me slightly better than the average customer. i do my research and select the best with what i know...yet i wont go as far to buy online from the lowest possible price either if i can get a similar deal in store near me. ya know?


as far as the gift card, it was from my mother and she wants it to go to good use...and i'd also like to go ahead and get rid of it (afraid of losing it, etc).


one more thing...the samsung says 1024 x 768 resolution.


vizio says 1024 x 720. kinda odd to me.


i thought HD would have a industry standard.


if you happen to see another deal with Wal-Mart (although I have looked big time) and it is under $700, you might be able to convince me...but for someone like me who will watch TV, play PS3, and watch DVD and Blu-ray...would you tell someone to NOT buy it? maybe that is a better question?

Both of the TVs you listed are 1024x768 resolution (which is the standard for 42" "720p" plasmas). The 1024x720 number is an error.

 

[Raymond42262]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaSpur /forum/post/15509575


don't get me wrong, I am totally for buying the Samsung if it is the best...but tell me why you think so at least. I want to make a sound decision here.

High Definition decisions are made here, sound decisions are in another forum.

 

[memphis87]

i had both the vizio vp422 and the sammy pn450,....and the vizio to me was the best tv....the blacks outclassed the sammy by alot....the colors on the sammy may be a little more accurate but the vizio had one of the cleanest noise free pictures i've seen

 

[SeaSpur]



Quote:
Originally Posted by memphis87 /forum/post/15510812


i had both the vizio vp422 and the sammy pn450,....and the vizio to me was the best tv....the blacks outclassed the sammy by alot....the colors on the sammy may be a little more accurate but the vizio had one of the cleanest noise free pictures i've seen

that is what I keep seeing in the store with my own eyes...the Vizio has the sharpest picture out of ANY set on the wall- regardless of brand. i just keep second guessing myself because all of the professionals on message boards tell me to steer clear and I don't know why. Some say they have high failure rates but I recently read on a few other sites that Vizio has really stepped up their game and uses LG panels...and also increased their warranty.

 

[SeaSpur]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond42262 /forum/post/15510810


High Definition decisions are made here, sound decisions are in another forum.

haha yah got me there...

 

[daniel'son]

^^ .. seaspur, try the Vizio; you seem to like it much better (its yr eyes not ours). you have an option & can test drive it. Walmart should have a 30-day trial, right?


disclaimer: i'm not a professional.

caveat: who knows what settings were set on both; one of the links I posted above stated a400 was terrible out of the box.