[Dpscc]

Hi guys,


Long time reader, first time poster of the forum.


I'm getting ready to upgrade my 32-inch LCD to a new, 55-inch one. Question is, which one?


I'm going for a lower-end, non-3D TV. I don't care about fancy apps, just good image and connections.


Being a CostCo fan (their 2-year automatic warranty, and now they're offering another 3-year at-home warranty for a low price, which I'm considering...), I've been looking at their offerings, and was considering the following 2 TVs:


- Vizio E550VA - $999.99

- Toshiba 55S41U - $1,099.00 (it's on sale for the next two weeks; used to be $1,199.00)


I've seen good and bad reviews on both. I've had an older Vizio for 4 years now. The image is pretty good, if properly calibrated. The sound does suck, but I use a Surround Sound system, with optical audio connected straight from the cable box to the surround, so sound on the TV doesn't matter.


So, on one hand, Vizio is cheaper, it's a brand I've used, and does have 4 HDMI connections (compared to 3 from the Toshiba).


The Toshiba, on the other hand, is a better brand, sound seems to be (just slightly) better, and it's an LED LCD TV - meaning, as we know, thinner/lighter TV and better contrast.


All that intro said, what do you guys recommend? Is the $100+tax more worth on the Toshiba? Would the Vizio be good for what I need?


Or is there a third choice I haven't considered of 55" TVs on the same price range (yes, I've seen some better ones, but for around $1,500+tax, and I'm not willing to go that high for now)?


All input would be very much appreciated!


Thanks,

DP.

 

[redwolf4k]

This was the boat I was in last week, I wound up spending the extra $500 on a 55" Samsung LED un55d6050, but I was originally going in to look at that Vizio E550VA which was right next to it in the BJs I bought my tv from. It was the same price you mentioned.


The price is great on that set. The set can be tweaked to your hearts content too, it has a great range of picture controls. It also seemed plenty bright. In your price-range, it is very hard to find a set that big with that many features. So thats a HUGE pro obviously.


The few things I noticed about the Vizio I wasn't thrilled with were:


1. The black levels were relatively light compared to other LCDs on the market.


2. The color temperature pre-sets seems to be a bit "dirty" or yellow looking. (which is odd for an LCD and a definite deal breaker for me.)



The upside to #2 is the tv has a 2-point grayscale adjustment built into the user menus, so you could technically fix that if you had the time and patience. However, these two flaws made the picture a bit dingy and a bit washed, which was the deal breaker for me.


Havn't seen the Toshiba but there is a good chance if it is similar to their family of sets, that it very well may be a better contender. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on them.



If your staying in that price range I believe Best Buy has a 55" edge lit LED by Insignia as an option too. But I understand from your post why you want to stick with CostCo. ( I think there 55" LCD comes in way under your budget as well). Maybe BB can match the warranty, worth a look.


Finally, in the forum rules your not supposed to discuss pricing. You could always PM people about pricing however. The CNET website has a video review on that Vizio in case your interested. It points out the pros and cons of the set. Also, I am extremely picky with sets lately, mainly because of lurking these forums for so long. To you, the vizio may look stunning.

 

[Dpscc]

Thanks, redwolf4k, for the thorough answer; that's exactly the kind of input I am looking for.


I do remember, on the Vizio I had now, I didn't like the color setting that much for a long time - until I got one of those DVDs to fine-tune the adjustment. As long as, as you said, it can be fixed with a bit of patience, I can live with that.


I'll take a look at the Insignia. I do have one, a much smaller one, here, but I have to say, I don't like it nearly as much as the Vizio.


You mentioned putting an extra $500 for a Samsung. What motivated you to do, and are you happy with the decision? CostCo does have many more other sets - including 55" - for quite a bit more, but I was trying indeed to stick to my original price range, if, of course, there's something decent within it.


On that note, I do apologize to the moderators and everyone if I broke the rules on my first post. I was under the impression, after reading the rules, that you're not supposed to do price shopping here. That wasn't my goal at all. I was just trying to convey the kind of TV price-wise I'm looking for, and also the difference b/w Vizio and Toshiba (whether it's worth it or not), and that the Toshiba was (almost) 10% off right now, with the sale. Again, my apologies, won't happen again!


Thanks once more,

DP.

 

[redwolf4k]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Dpscc /forum/post/20792625


You mentioned putting an extra $500 for a Samsung. What motivated you to do, and are you happy with the decision?

What mainly motivated me to spend the extra cash for that UN55D6050 was,


A. The black filter they use in the samsung LED sets look incredible to me. Super deep and dark.


B. The colors of the set were very realistic looking to me. This is even more true in "movie" mode.


C. The processing, or overall presentation of the picture seemed to (and does at home) have a lot of punch, very good depth, and very its contrasty. This holds true even with all the tricks and goodies turned off, and just running the "movie" mode.



I had been in the Panasonic Plasma camp since the beginning of the whole HDTV world, and recently I feel like these sets (the Samsung line) are really starting to break away.


I know Vizio makes some awesome sets however, and thats why I went to look at that Vizio initially. I know there "3SV" and "4SV" models with local dimming are some of the best LED-LCD sets out there, but they cost an arm and a leg too. I am in no way a fanboy of Samsung, they have never gotten a dime from me before. I had always sworn by plasmas up and down in the past as well.

 

[BoilerJim]

VIZIO and Insignia... Kind of a damned if you do and damned if you do scenario.

 

[hughh]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim /forum/post/20795443


VIZIO and Insignia... Kind of a damned if you do and damned if you do scenario.

Hehehehe...right on!

 

[Dpscc]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim /forum/post/20795443


VIZIO and Insignia... Kind of a damned if you do and damned if you do scenario.

Hehehehehe... damn "on a budget" life!

 

[hughh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpscc Hehehehehe... damn "on a budget" life!

Good reason. I thought perhaps you had set on these two brands for their stellar reputation

 

[SLUDGE]

I bought a 42" Vizio four years ago, a 52" Toshiba three years ago and a 46" Sony last year. I am lucky and have not had any issues with any of them. The newer TV of course has more bells and whistles and looks better than the Vizio but its a lot newer.


Vizio has the HDMI ports on the side, I prefer them in the back. The Toshiba has them in the back. If you need four HDMI ports then go with the Vizio. Overall, I would go with the one that you perceive has the best picture and falls within your budget.

 

[benalexe]

In ny. Pc Richards has the toshiba 55gs1ou for 787. It is an LCD. 120hz. 1080p. What do you know about this set?