Vizio XVT3D424SV

Pros: Picture is unbelievably crisp and sharp, Good value for the money, excellent tech support, easy set up

Cons: Sound straight from the TV was adequate

Summary: Overall, I love this product. Took me about 2 minutes to set up the unit on its stand. The technical setup took a little longer, but that gets into personal preferences with the widget selection and so forth. Using an HDMI cable to hook up audio and video to your cable box is strongly recommended vs. the colored cables. The sound is OK, such that I additionally purchased a Vizio soundbar and that makes quite an improvement.

I like the remote with slide out keypad. A little awkward until you get used to it. The internet apps are awesome. I specifically signed up for Netflix and am a hardcore user. With a DVR, on demand programs, and internet options, you can dive into tv and not come up for days !

The picture is unbelievably crisp and sharp. I went from a 32" to this 42" and it's fantastic. The fluid motion on the screen is everything it's hyped to be. Must be the 480 hz refresh rate and the HD, because it's awesome.

Only brief bugaboo that happened was about a week into having the tv, the internet apps or widgets as they call them (Netflix, Amazon video, Rhapsody, etc.) all disappeared for like two days. After checking all connections on my end, I called Vizio customer service and was told it was their connection to Yahoo servers and was impacting everyone. I wasn't aware that was how it worked, and had to wait about 48 hours for Yahoo to fix their issue, and then had to reset everything again after the Vizio rep stepped me through a full wipe and started over. Temporarily frustrating, but apparently had never happened before.

Anyone buying a 3D tv should know that there isn't much out there being broadcast in 3D. ESPN has a channel and there's a special 3D channel that's a composite of nature and wildlife features. No one else yet broadcasts in 3D. Your basic option is BluRay discs in 3D. It is a feature that will grow though over time. Also, you probably won't notice, but there is no entity that broadcasts signals in 1080p. The most you'll receive is 1080i. You'll see this signal source in the upper right if you hit the INFO button on the remote. When I say entity, I mean networks and tv stations. As I stated though, you can't tell the difference. 720 to 1080, yes. From i to p, not really. These broadcast upgrades will come though too, from what I've skimmed from message boards, sometime in 2012. With 3D, you do need the glasses. Movie theater glasses do NOT work. I tried. The glasses for the tv have the special shuttering technology that receives the appropriate visual signals from the tv. They are pricey, but that's the way it is. I do suggest sticking with the Vizio glasses for product continuity.

For the price and features, I am very pleased and do recommend this unit. Get a soundbar though and those Vizio 3D glasses. Enjoy !!!

Lastly, If you will buy this TV I suggest you have to check prices before you decide at: www.amazon.com/exec/******/****/B0045TZF66/cnet-offer-20

Updated on Oct 1, 2011

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I suggest for best deal at: www.ama zon.com/exec/******/****/B0045TZF66/cnet-offer-20

Updated on Nov 17, 2011

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Check for best price before you decide at: Beam.to/VIZIO-XVT3D424SV