Excellent TV but beware of the early runs.
The dirty little secret when buying consumer electronics is to not buy them when they first come out because there are bound to be bugs and defects among the first units manufactured. The manufacture is bound to discover these problems make the necessary correction(s) and the subsequent lots should not have the same issues. This Vizio model is no exception.
I too have had the audio problem where the audio distorts after a set amount of time. When I went to exchange it I made sure the replacement was from a different lot than the first that way I am bound to get a unit that shouldn't have the same problems as what I had before. My new unit works perfectly. For reference my first unit was made on 11/09 and my new unit was made 02/10.
Vizio has also made several firmware updates between the two sets I tried out. The first TV had version 2.06 and the second 2.13. I have no idea what improvements were made but it could relate to the audio problem.
What I like about this TV is that since it has a glass panel the image resembles what a HD CRT would produce. It really smooths out the picture and gives a better image quality that a matte finished LCD panel can't deliver. A typical LCD TV can produce a sharp picture but at the same time it looks a little hazy to me. You certainly can't get a glossy panel for a TV of that size anywhere that I know of. If you like the look that a CRT TV or a plasma gives you will probably like this TV. I am also surprised that Vizio was able to deliver a LED TV at this price point.
I also really like the styling of this TV. It has the appearance of a high-end TV something like what Bang & Olafson would produce. An the fancy touch panel controls are a nice touch. I would like to purchase a 27" or 32" of this same style of set but unfortunately Vizio only makes this style in in 19" & 23".
The sound if you get a properly working unit is quite good. It looks to me Vizio put a smaller version of their HD sound bar into this set because the SRS Surround technology really expands the sound coming from the TV. I didn't find the sound to be "tinny" at all. As others had reported the sound quickly goes from silent to loud.
The remote control only has one IR emitter on it so if you are fairly close to the TV you need to point it toward the IR receiver to work properly. If you stand back a few feet then you should have less problems. You best bet is to use a universal remote control (like the one provided by your satellite of cable provider) because many of them have at least 2 IR emitters giving you a wider range for transmission.
This TV also features a light sensor that can automatically adjust the picture in relation to the light in the room. Be aware you can't use this feature at the same time as the 20000:1 dynamic contrast ratio feature. For me the dynamic contrast ratio feature works better for me.
For some reason Vizio doesn't advertise the fact that you have the ability to pause live TV (like a DVR) if you plug in a flash drive on the back of the TV. This TV also can play a play a slide-show of pictures on a flash drive.
For those that already own this TV and are unhappy with it I would encourage you to exchange it at the store of purchase or have Vizio replace it. No one should have to live with the defect(s) if Vizio corrected it in later runs.
**UPDATE: I have seen that several other retail outlets are no longer carry this product it appears it is being replaced by a more conventional design that lacks the glossy screen. If you are interested in this product be sure to get it as soon as soon as possible.
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