Decent deal for 720P... Which is fine depending on the size of your room...

lzpoof said:2) A Vizio isn't likely to have high quality internal components for scaling/deinterlacing.

I believe the people on AVSforums would beg to differ.

Another thing to consider is that Vizio usually makes 'special' models for WalMart which usually are cheaper components then their usual tv's. Just check the model number to make sure.

From bigpicturebigsound.com:

It's Official: HDTV Now an Impulse Buy - the $750 42-inch Plasma TV

In recent years, WalMart has been making a play to dominate the consumer electronics market. Leveraging their volume-driven negotiation power to drive low prices even lower, WalMart is loading up their shelves with inexpensive HDTVs in response to seemingly endless consumer demand for flat panel sets.

And now they're the first to offer the latest plasma HDTVs in Vizio's 2008 line at remarkably low prices: $547 for a 32-inch model (VP322) and $747 for a 42-inch model (VP422). These are not top of the line 1080p sets, but in these screen sizes the 720p native resolution and repectable [sic] black levels are more than adequate for producing a pleasing high definition image.

At CES in January, VIZIO announced that the VP322 32-inch set (the only plasma HDTV of this size in the United States) would sell for $679 and the 42-inch VP422 would sell for $999, but now that they're available, they've actually lowered the suggested list prices significantly - $649 list for the 32-inch model and an unheard of $799 list for the 42-inch model. Take into consideration WalMart's "everyday low pricing," and these flat panel HDTVs become true impulse purchases at $547 and $747 each.

Detailed specs on the VP322 are available here and specs on the VP422 are included below.

VP422 Specs from Manufacturer(VP422HDTV10A):

High Definition TV formats supported: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i
30,000:1 contrast ratio
Digital HDTV, digital cable & standard TV combination tuner
Computer monitor (RGB) up to 1360 X 768 WXGA resolution
Wall mounting capable
Typical lamp life of 60,000 hours, equivalent to 27 years @ 6 hours per day viewing.
1x RF, 1x RGB, 3x HDMI, 1x Component, 1x Composite, 1x, S-Video Inputs
2x Built-In 10-watt Speakers
Size: 42 inches (viewable 42.32 inches diagonal
Tuner: Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
Native Panel Resolution: 1024 x 768
Supported PC Resolutions: 1366 x 768, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600
Panel Specifications: Anti-Static and hard coated surface
Pixel/Dot Pitch: 0.9 (H) mm x 0.676 mm (V)
Signal Compatibility: 480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
Colors: 16.7 million
Brightness: 1,500 cd/m2 (typical)
Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1 (typ)
Viewable Angle: 178° (horizontal and vertical)
Inputs
RF (F Connector for internal tuner): 1
HDMI with HDCP: 3
Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1
Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio: 1
Composite Video: 1
S-Video plus Stereo Audio: 1
Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio: 1
Service Port: 1
Outputs
Analog Audio out (RCA): 1
5.1 SPDIF Digital Optical Audio: 1
Additional Information
V-Chip
3D Comb Filter
3:2 or 2:2 Reverse Pull-down
ATSC with 8VSB & QAM demodulation
ATSC with MPEG-2 decoding
NTSC Video decoding via RF: Yes, thru Antenna, Cable, or Satellite
NTSC Video decoding via Video: Yes, thru CVBS, S-Video, or Component
Progressive Scan Video: Yes, thru Component YPbPr, VGA or HDMI
HDTV: Yes, thru HDMI or Component YPbPr
Computer: 640x480, 800x600,1024x768, 1360x768 via VGA or HDMI
Sound enhancement: Yes
Color Temperature: 6500K (standard), 5400K and 9300K
Color Fine Tuning: Independent Red, Green and Blue
Audio: Built-in 10W x 2
Lamp (LCD) / Panel (PDP) Life: 60000 hours
Power: IEC Connector for direct power line connection
Voltage Range100 ~ 240 Vac at 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption: 350W average
Certifications: CSA CSA-US, FCC Class B
Removable Base
Weight
Net: 62.9 lbs
Without Stand: 58.5 lbs
Dimensions
Carton: 46.5" W x 33.3" H x 14.8" D
With Stand: 41.0" W x 28.1" H x 10.3" D
Without Stand: 41.0" W x 26.5" H x 3.7" D

The manual is here. Someone please tell me why I should NOT buy this TV? I'm looking for a 42-47" set for under $1000.

fwmo88 said:I'm wary of plasma tv's though. They are heavier, use more electricity than LCD, and all the stories from a few years ago about the unknown life span still linger in my mind.

Lifespan is much improved in later Plasmas, burn-in also takes longer now. I'd only be concerned if you plan on keeping your Plasma tv on more than 4-5 hours a day, then you might want to consider LCD...otherwise, the average user should be able to keep it for the next 10 years or more. By that time though, we'll probably have oleds out in this size. They also usually do a better job with SD channels.

Whenever I see visio for plasma I tell everyone to avoid at all costs...Get a the panasonic model..when its on sale its not that much more (720p model) and it will have true blacks.

The visio looks nice at first..but go to costco and see what it like on 12 hours a day. The panasonic looks fine..the visio show way less blacks and the lettering (from commercials) is no where near as sharp. even the maxent also showed the same problem...its the internal circuits that decode the signal is where you pay the money...

The 42" Panasonic is well worth paying a hundred dollars more...and has one of the top reviews compared to the elite pioneer series.

Picked up the 32'' Vizio Plasma and a mount (mid sized for only $59). Love it. One question though, anyone been able to listen to the TV with headphones while the TV is muted? I used to love that feature in my old set.

Retroman said:I wandered in to Circuit City yesterday, and saw a 50" Vizio P50HDTV10A on clearance for what turned out to be $599.00. Not returned, opened or refurbished, but a sealed box. I snapped it up, but am now wondering if I made the right decision, after Googling the model and finding that a lot of these experience the "Pop of Death" after 18 months. Does anyone know if this might be a "second generation" model that has improved circuitry to prevent the dreaded POD?

That's a steal, I'd keep it. What Circuit City was this found in?

NxN2005 said:Retroman said:I wandered in to Circuit City yesterday, and saw a 50" Vizio P50HDTV10A on clearance for what turned out to be $599.00. Not returned, opened or refurbished, but a sealed box. I snapped it up, but am now wondering if I made the right decision, after Googling the model and finding that a lot of these experience the "Pop of Death" after 18 months. Does anyone know if this might be a "second generation" model that has improved circuitry to prevent the dreaded POD?

That's a steal, I'd keep it. What Circuit City was this found in?

I don't want to get anyone in trouble just in case they gave me the wrong price by accident, but let's just say it was in the Venice, CA area. It was the last unit.