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Sony swears at Vizio
Posted on 17/05/08 22:30 by Tim Stork
A small company based in Southern California, Vizio, has agressively entered the market for both Plasma and LCD TVs. In the last months the company suprised many in North America and is known for its low-priced and perfectly marketed TVs. Despite the success, Sony isn't scared off by the company from the Golden State and calls its TVs 'semi non HD-sets'.
Robert Wiesenthal, executive vice president at Sony, reacted on Vizio's growth in a conference call with Wall Street analysts by saying the TVs are of significant lower quality. "I think it's important to point out there is a very big difference between the high-end 1080p sets (from Sony) and the low-end kind of Vizio and Chinese manufacturer semi non-HD sets," said Wiesenthal. Despite Vizio being a 1080p-set manufacturer, Sony appeals to a consumer that looks for higher-quality products.
"So when we talk about these lower cost versions there is a big bandwidth in the middle that we think we still can make money on that where there is a market hole that retail tells us that there is a demand for Sony products," he said to TVPredictions.com.
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Discuss this article with your fellow community members! We appreciate your valuable input, but please keep the reaction policy in mind and make sure your reaction is constructive.
By
Hypnosis4U2NV
Member since: 19 Mar 2001
Reactions: 804
Forumposts: 714
Karma: 23220 , Sun 18 May 2008 05:23
Reactions: 804
Forumposts: 714
Karma: 23220 , Sun 18 May 2008 05:23
"..Sony appeals to a consumer that looks for higher-quality products."
ROFLMAO!!
By
Debro (guest),
Sun 18 May 2008 08:09
... while sony offsets higher production costs by moving manufacturing to china .....
What is a 'Sony' ?
By
XxX (guest),
Sun 18 May 2008 17:40
Guess average joe more attracted to cheap Visio HDTVs compared to Sony sets.
You guys ever compare Sony vs Visio HDTV side by side?
Or Pioneer vs Panny vs Samsung vs Sony?
HDTV is not just 1080p.
1080p is not everything.
There are some (if not many) 720p sets that outperform cheap 1080p. 
By
Cubeman (guest),
Mon 19 May 2008 14:51
There is a difference b/t Vizio and high end sets but its hardly what Sony wants people to believe. Samsung and Toshiba are offering sets as good or better than Sony at a 20% price difference.
I have the consumer reports 2008 buying guide in my hand, I was curious and read the plasma and LCD sections....surprising to me these Vizio TVs are ranked 6th & 7th for 50" plasmas overall & 8th for "large" LCDs overall. I had never heard of them. They're rated very good for picture quality. They may be cheap but they're good...
By
SciFer
Member since: 9 Jan 2003
Reactions: 186
Forumposts: 17
Karma: 3890 , Tue 20 May 2008 02:00
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Karma: 3890 , Tue 20 May 2008 02:00
Alrighty, let me get my few cents in here. I spend a LOT of TIME looking at HDTVs, I actually think I may even have a problem (call it an addiction) to always wanting the best TV. Infact in the last 4 years I belived I have gone through approximately 10 sets (various rooms as well). I usually sell one before it's year old, take a hit and buy another new one with the latest tech. As you can imagine, I love looking and truly appreciate quality. I will add the fact that I have owned several Vizios in the process so I feel qualified to make this assesment, especially after spending hours 'tweaking' each set to get max performance. There is a HUGE differene between these two set by many attributes. I wouldn't say they're the lowest as there are others with much lower standards. Infact I would recommend a Vizio to someone a budget and starting off on their first HDTV. I't a good compromise between quality and price. Much like cars, you're not going to compare a Toyota with with a BMW or Mercedes. Toyota offers nice looking and very reliable vechicles, they truly hold their value. I believe that that Vizios are like Hondas, a touch under Toyotas but definitely no GEO or KIAs. That being said, I have Sharp Aquos 52" barely a yearly old and let me tell you, I love my sharp but compared to the latest Sony Bravia I am truly drooling. Anyone want to buy my Sharp? 
This message was edited at: 20-05-2008 02:35
By
jab (guest),
Tue 20 May 2008 13:36
Where is the swearing???
By
jumpyg
Member since: 27 Dec 2005
Reactions: 12
Forumposts: 242
Karma: 2660 , Wed 21 May 2008 16:48
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Karma: 2660 , Wed 21 May 2008 16:48
People have got to be kidding if they don't see a difference between the Vizios and the Sonys. The Sony XBR sets are amazing! They cost a lot more, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. That said, the Vizios are great TVs for the non-discerning consumers.
By
xvisorxx (guest),
Thu 22 May 2008 01:19
Hi, I recently purchased a vizio 47 inch lcd, from costco 1400 bucks its a 1080p set, It was so inexpesive that i had money left over to add a pioneer receiver from vanns.com and some infinity speakers 7.1 channel, if you have the money to spend on a high end brand then doit but if you are on a budget and want very nice quality go for the vizio, I also think that technology changes so fast that today you buy a 5,000 dollar tv and in 2 years it will be an outdated hunk of junk. if you get a nice cheap tv in 2 years you can give it to your kids and buy yourself a new one and still be saving money. but like i said if you have cash to burn then by all means doit.
By
comshawbutyu@hotmail.com (guest),
Fri 23 May 2008 16:25
SONY = Shit On New York 
By
dun4cheap
Member since: 30 Jan 2003
Reactions: 5
Forumposts: 81
Karma: 910 , Fri 23 May 2008 18:37
Reactions: 5
Forumposts: 81
Karma: 910 , Fri 23 May 2008 18:37
My 47" Vizio has worked well. I bought it from Costco before the return policy chagned. So when the 52" is at $1699 I will be taking mine back and getting the 52". Other than that, it performs well for me. I am thinking of also getting a 32 or larger for my bedroon as well.
By
Florz@aol.com (guest),
Thu 29 May 2008 01:53
I currently own a 32" Sony, a 42" Sharp Aquos, and a 42" Vizio. All are within two years old. I'm fanatical about TV's, and for the price, the Vizio can more than hold its own against the Sony line. In fact, I challenge anyone to think the higher-priced Sharp has a better picture. Those who lust over the Sony line, in my opinion, do so not for the picture quality but they are drinking the juice that says Sony is so far superior to the competition. Nonsense! The Vizio is a solid buy at a much better price.
@ Florz@aol.com
"In fact, I challenge anyone to think the higher-priced Sharp has a better picture"
Not trying to be rude but if you read the previous comment its pretty clear that users SEE a difference. I don't have time to get all technical but you CANNOT even begin to compare. Two very different classes and they all perform nicely within their class. I know some people need to feel that the money they spent on a Vizio is as if they bought a Rolls Royce but it's simply is not the truth. Sorry to disappoint you.
