VIZIO XVT553SV - Recommend?

[MizNitch]

I'm turning 30 soon and I'm thinking the VIZIO XVT553SV may be an excellent gift to myself. I've been window shopping for a new HDTV for a while and for the price you can't beat all the features it has. Plus, it has had excellent reviews and even earned a cnet.com editors choice award. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't turn off the glowing "Vizio" logo on the bottom of the tv frame when the set it on.

Here's a link for the tv: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Any thoughts? Recommendations?

'Preciate any input!

[MrBoylan]

I'm turning 30 soon and I'm thinking the VIZIO XVT553SV may be an excellent gift to myself. I've been window shopping for a new HDTV for a while and for the price you can't beat all the features it has. Plus, it has had excellent reviews and even earned a cnet.com editors choice award. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't turn off the glowing "Vizio" logo on the bottom of the tv frame when the set it on.

Any thoughts? Recommendations?

'Preciate any input!

Actually, I couldn't agree more. I've been recommending the XVT TVs (55-inch XVT553SV and 47-inch XVT473SV) to friends for a while now, particularly for use in bright environments - rooms with plenty of windows and no easy way to control ambient lighting. Unlike many other LED and LCD TVs out today, which have switched over to highly reflective glass or composite screens, the XVT553 and 473 still have a matte screen finish which helps to diffuse ambient light. And the full array LED backlighting with local dimming offers strong performance for the cost. Add on a robust set of Internet Apps via VIA (VIZIO Internet Apps) and a unique flip-out RF-based QWERTY keyboard remote and you have a big screen flat panel that screams value for under $1800 (street price). It also comes with built-in WiFi which is an add-on for most brands.

If I were in the market for a flat panel TV in this size and price range (under $2K), it would be on my short list. Other TVs worthy of consideration in this size/price range would include the Samsung 50-inch C8000 3D plasma (currently under review) for around $1800, the Panasonic TC-P50 GT25 3D plasma (also around $1800), the Panasonic 54-inch 2D G25 plasma (under $1400) or the 65-inch Panasonic S2 plasma (a little over $1900). As you may have noticed, I like plasmas. The VIZIO has excellent contrast and black levels for an LED/LCD set, but IMHO, nothing can touch a good plasma for watching movies, TV and sports in a light-controlled room. The black levels and color saturation of a plasma are still superior to LED and LCD, and (to my eye) present a more pleasing, accurate and more "dimensional" picture.

Speaking of which, if you're investing in a flat panel right now, do consider a 3D model. There may not be much content for it now, but this is getting better. Yes, they do need glasses when watching 3D content, but decent quality glasses-free 3D TVs are still most likely well over 5 years away. Even in the closed door demos at trade shows I've still never seen a glasses-free set that has impressed me.

Each of the TVs I mentioned has some unique value proposition. The Samsung 3D plasma offers excellent picture quality in 2D and 3D mode and comes with a bundle that includes Blu-ray 3D player, 2 pairs of glasses and a movie - all for $1799. The Panasonic GT25 is also an excellent for watching 2D that happens to play 3D content as well. The 54-inch G25 series plasma is 2D-only but has a nice assortment of internet streaming options, and is very affordable for a full HD 1080p TV in a 54-inch size. And the big daddy, 65-inch S2 plasma is just a big honking TV that can make your movie watching a much more cinematic experience without having to deal with the complexity and limitation of a projection-based system. It doesn't quite have the picture quality chops of the G25 series (thought it's pretty close) and it lacks any kind of networking or internet streaming options, but you could always add that in a full-featured Blu-ray player or set-top box.

All are fine choices, and there are other excellent choices in the price range as well (including models from LG, Samsung, Toshiba, etc) but these are the ones that stand out in my opinion (based mostly on first-hand experience).

Links (purchases made through these links benefit Big Picture Big Sound):

• Panasonic 65-inch TC-P65S2 Plasma
• VIZIO 55-inch XVT553SV
• Panasonic 50-inch 3D TC-P50GT25
• Samsung 50-inch 3D UN50C8000 Plasma
• Panasonic 54-inch TC-P54G25 plasma

Anyway... good luck!

-Chris