VIZIO XVT553SV 55-Inch 240Hz TruLED LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Application

VIZIO XVT553SV 55-Inch 240 Hz TruLED LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Application, Black

• 55-inch direct type LED-backlit LCD HDTV with full 1080p HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and 240Hz refresh rate
  
• Connect to the Internet via built in dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11n or Ethernet to stream video, audio and news content from VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA)
  
• Smart Dimming intelligently controls LED blocks to produce 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
  
• Connections: 5 HDMI, 1 component, 1 composite, 1 PC, 1 RF, 1 Ethernet, 1 optical digital output, 1 audio output and 3 USB
  
• Includes detachable base and thumbscrew and Bluetooth remote with slide-out QWERTY keyboard

D. Lindsey
This TV is amazing. The only thing more incredible is the bargain. I have been shopping flat screens for about a year now. I almost pulled the trigger on a Samsung C8000 until I came across this TV. You get everything Samsung has to offer minus the 3D which, for me, is still too new to invest in. This model boasts a 10,000,000 to 1 Dynamic Contrast ratio compared to Samsung's 8,000,0000. Blu-Ray (Sony BDP-570) looks and sounds spectacular. DirecTV HD shines as well. The set-up was a breeze. The only problem I encountered was the actual wait-time to get this thing. It took about three weeks since it was on pre-sell. However, once it was released, the shipper contacted me and I had this thing in my house three days later. If you want a TV packed full of features that you can actually enjoy but don't want to drop $3,000....this is your set. Pair this thing up with a decent home theater (I have the Sony HTSS370-It blows us out of the living room.) and you will truly be able to enjoy movie night at the house! I can't wait for College/NFL football to crank up! Vizio has stepped it up big time with the new XVT series!!!

wayne
This picture is incredible, looked great in the store and even better once I started watching football. News channels like fox news and cnn look great on this set as well. I love all the features you can use from the wi-fi capibility. You can download different games and other widgets including streaming netflix directly to your set and the quility is very good (I have xfinity from comcast, you probably need a high speed connection to make use of this). The remote control for this tv has to be one of the best designed remotes out there. You can easily program all your devices just from selecting the brand of each (no need for entering codes). Plenty of HDMI outlets for all my toys. My PS3 looks AWESOME on this screen. I'm not big into surround sound, the built in speakers seem fine to me, but I'm not an expert on sound as its not that important to me, since i live in a condo. I shopped around everywhere and this model was easily the best bang for your buck, other with 55" 240hz and 1080P were all about 800-1000 dollars more. I bought mine at BJ's which had the best price around. I can't imagine this TV getting a bad review unless it was a defect.

A/V Man
This TV is very nice. The picture quality is outstanding. The features are amazing and overall the quality and feature set of this set rivals many of the bigger TV manufactures (Sony, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic). I have a very bright room and the anti-reflective coating really does stop the glare. I am super happy with the purchase and Amazon rocks. The guys who delivered the set were a bit sloppy, but everything arrived on time and in good working order. My only complaints about the set are the lack of an LCD screen on the remote (so you know which source it selected) and I wish the lighted logo could be turned on or off. Otherwise it is a great set with tons of features!!!

*Update 1*
I do love the set but it is going back. 1st being that is freezes constantly. I had it freeze 5 times in 5 days. Not good. each time requires me to unplug the unit for 1 min. Plug it back in and wait another minute while it re-boots. This is not good because it is in a TV console and is difficult to reach around to remove the power as the stand doesn't rotate. 2nd, I noticed a pink outline around 10-15 pixels wide and 2-4 pixels high that will not go away. It can be seen up close or is really dark scenes. Knocking the set down 2 stars for this. I am so bummed as I really love this set. I may wait for a newer production unit or pick up a CCFL LG. Amazon is currently out of stock. Sorry Vizio, I tried...

*Update 2*
Picked up a LG 55LD520 and love it. I really was not sold on LED back-lit sets yet. I think the nano led back-lit TVs will be much better. This CCFL LG has an incredible image and much better screen uniformity. No blooming whatsoever. The colors are spot on. I will miss some of the features of the Vizio, but the LG turns on fast and doesn't freeze. I am really impressed with the image quality of the LG. I saved hundreds of $$$ over the Vizio as well. Thanks and I hope this helps.

John Raustadt
I've been tinkering with the set's picture setup menus for a few days and still can't get the excessive blooming to subside. Straight on, the picture is astounding but it does wash out, as I believe CNET pointed out, as you move to the side. I can live with that however there's a blooming effect that I just can't get resolved. In darker scenes, actors' faces tend to have a "halo" around them and it follows them througout the screen, almost in a jittery fashion if they move. I've tried setting this up according to CNET's recommendations but the picture becomes worse. Maybe I have a defective set (and I bought the Square Trade warranty) that needs service from the get-go.

I'm running it through an Onkyo TX-SR608 receiver with a Panasonic BD85 blu ray player and a Dish Network 722 DVR satellite receiver. The one thing I haven't swapped out yet is doing a direct connect with the HDMI cable to the input source and that's next up. That's a 25-foot CMPLE cable.

If anyone has experienced similar issues and was able to resolve, please post your current settings.

On the "bright side," this set is absolutely amazing with bright action-oriented contenct. It shines with sports, such as football, and I suspect the same will hold true for hockey and other sports.

Overall, I'm not overly thrilled with this set yet but won't be returning it. There's something amiss here and it could be as simple as a bad cable although I'm having a hard time believing that's the issue.

M. Bridger
We have had this TV for three weeks. It replaces a Vizio 50" Plasma purchased 4 years ago that died.
- Picture quality is outstanding. Very dark black with no visible back-lighting. NFL games and fast-action video work great. Side-angle viewing is good with this TV.
- Tons of inputs.
- Vizio Support answers the phone promptly. They're helpful and courteous.
- Excellent matte screen surface with little to no glare from lamps, windows, and doors. Because of the matte finish, we opted to move our TV location perpendicular to a an 8ft sliding glass door out to the pool. We have had no problems with light or glare degrading picture quality. In contrast, this door would have caused extreme glare on the slick surface of the plasma, while also washing out the picture.
- Internet Aps are handy. Neflix is the one we use primarily. Because the TV is now the sound source, an Optical Cable is needed for connection to the Receiver. Once setup, sound and picture quality are outstanding. Getting to a list of movies with the VIA button on the remote takes only a couple of clicks. The NetFlix ap works so well, we barely use our media computer hooked up to the system.
- Remote Control and TV Setup menus on the unit are intuitive, easy to use, and graphically well done. The TV picture quality was great for us out of the box, requiring no adjustments. Remote control setup via the on-screen configuration automatically tries codes and only requires the user to click "worked" / "didn't work" in order to cycle through and find the right code. Best remote setup I've ever seen.
- Remote Control itself is nearly perfect. Well-spaced buttons that are easy to read and arranged logically and in similar locations to other DVR's. Physical size is ideal, Not too long like many remotes. Keyboard flip out is a fantastic addition.
- TV mounts to a wall without any problems. (We used the Vizio XMA 1200--worst user manual I've ever encountered) The unit is surprisingly light, given the TV's size. Still best to have two people when hanging the unit on the wall.
- Because our previous Vizio died after only 4 years, we bought a 4-year Square Trade warranty from Amazon (STAY AWAY FROM ALL WARRANTIES BY THE COMPANY "NEW"). Our Sams Club warranty was through NEW. A month of being hassled resulted in our TV being picked up and taken to a local shop. After another 10 days NEW gave us an undetermined ETA on Parts for the repair. We called SAMS CLUB and explained our warranty nightmare. Sams Club Manager told me to bring in the TV. NEW Refused to give the TV back. I found a phone number to the shop they contracted out and was able to get a address, then go pickup the TV myself. Sams Club gave us a full-refund! Avoid NEW (read reviews here on Amazon of New Warranties). Vizio also offers a similarly priced warranty extension. There is paperwork in the box for purchasing this product from Vizio.
- We're very happy with the TV.