VIZIO SV421XVT 42-Inch XVT-Series 240 Hz SPS LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)The Vizio SV421XVT, is a very nice 42 inch lcd TV. With 120hz refresh rate, and 240hz scenes per second, this television offers depth perception found only in high end LED TVs. But it is not all gum drops and fairy tales.

This Vizio does NOT offer the bluetooth remote and internet apps. The TruSurround and TruVolumn leave a lot to be desired, and then, you have the Zero Bright Pixel Defect Guarantee, which in reality is not much of a guarantee at all.

I have taken much time compiling the info for this review, and I want to be very clear on one fact, Amazon's Customer Support is true American loyalty. The staff is top notch!

Vizio is the leading TV seller in the US due to its calibrations with Wal-Mart, Sears, Dell, and Amazon. Our experience with Vizio has been a rocky one.

We are very particular about our lcd TVs and we bought this SV421XVT based solely on the Zero Bright Pixel Guarantee. We called Vizio 3 times before purchase to make sure that this guarantee covers "stuck, bright, and dead" pixels. Their answer, YES!

We could not find this within 100 miles of our home, Vizio wanted $1600 + for it, and Dell has poor customer support in addition to not standing behind Vizio's Zero Bright Pixel Defect guarantee. So we opted for Amazon, free shipping, A-Z guarantee, and NO SALES TAX!

The first Vizio we received through Amazon came via Pilot. Pilot is a very terrible delivery service, at least in Southern Ohio. No precalls, and our television sat 1hour away for 5 days, before delivery. Then to top that off, we had to press them to deliver it by the latest date of delivery, for they wanted to wait an additional 5 days.

When the Vizio arrived in our home it had a stuck pixel, stuck in the red cycle of red, green, and blue, and it also had a video overlay problem. We called Amazon and they were very helpful, not 5 minutes on the phone, and a new one was shipped that day, for a switch out in our home.

That is when Pilot dropped the ball again. They delivered our replacement but once more failed to precall and had a very lazy attitude towards the delivery. When they arrived, they stated they had no paper work for the pick up of the unit with the stuck pixel and informed us they were required to leave both TVs at our home. So once again a call to Amazon. Amazon was once more VERY VERY helpful and had Pilot back to our home the very next.

Again we had to press pilot for a pick - up time, and when they finally arrived they were an hour late. But alas the TV was returned to Amazon, and we were not charged.

But our experience with this SV421XVT does not end there. The second unit delivered to our home had a red stuck pixel and again a video overlay issue. The video overlay issue is only visible on 720p where is appears as a white vertical line down the right side on the screen, and a black vertical line at 1080p. This issue is noticeable on all HDMI inputs. Since we buy and sale HDMI cables, we were able to cycle through new cables, and verify that is was not interference within the cable. We also hooked it to a PS3 and an Xbox 360, and it was evident on both devices.

This time we decided Amazon was not responsible for Vizio's poor technology.

It is important for me to once again stress that although the screen had issues, the picture looked beautiful. The depth perception is dazzling with the Smooth Motion Technology and 50,000:1 contrast ratio, your breath will be taken away.

So a call to Vizio led us to a road block. Vizio after stating otherwise three times prior, informed us they do not cover dead/bright pixels, and that this LCD TV does not have the Zero Bright Pixel Guarantee. We had to inform them it does, and that is states it clearly on their website.

They eventually admitted that this SV421XVT does have a Zero Bright Pixel Guarantee, but it does NOT cover dead pixels, contrary to their previous answers. They also informed us that they were aware of the video overlay issue, and that most of their TVs have it, and that they do not service this problem. Mind you this all occurred over 2 days of multiple phone calls to Vizio's technical support.

We felt as if we were in the circus, for the hoops we had to jump through, just to prove we did in fact own this SV421XVT, and that is was not working properly.

Vizio demanded we take a picture of the single stuck pixel, and that the picture had to have the pixel visible, as well as show the entire front of the 42" TV. That's right, they wanted me to stand back, and be able to capture the equivalent to the end of pen, as well as display the entire front of the TV, turned on, and the Vizio logo readable. WOW! That is crazy.

Well I pressed the fact that this was not possible, and demanded they try it themselves. I asked that they send out s service man, and they said we need the pictures. I once again informed them that is was not possible, and I wanted $750 worth of perfect LCD screen, just what I paid for, so the tech. transferred me to a "Level 3" technician.

The Level 3 technician was a little easier to deal with, and after much convincing that I did in fact own this TV, and sending the best pictures possible, informed me that I would receive a white glove in home switch out.

Well 2 weeks later, a very good freight company arrived with a new TV. They unpacked the LCD and allowed us to cycle through red, green, and blue screens to insure that there were no stuck pixels. There was none. We are now happy.

To sum it up, Amazon is an A+ company. Pilot delivery is worthless. Vizio puts on a good face to sale their product, but does not want to stand behind it. The SV421XVT has a picture quality that truly high definition, but finding a unit without issues is hard.

Vizio SV421XVT - Almost perfect... almost.

UPDATE!!!!!

Please, all readers, attention. We have developed ANOTHER BIRGHT STUCK PIXEL on the right hand middle side of the screen. This time for service,we used a 10 mega pixel camera, and took multiple pictures of the tv. As Vizio requires you must have a picture of the full face plate, the pixel, and the menu. We did everything required to have our current Vizio serviced.... everything and more.

We even went as far as circling the pixel on a few pictures, the response from Vizio, we can't see it, and corporate offices cannot see it either. Vizio stated that they will not even send out a technician, because the rep. said "We will not service another, this TV without better pictures." did you read what I heard, he messed up and said "another." They seen the pixel and they know that all of thier units have them. Nice way to push the responsibility off onto the customer!

This is the third SV421XVT, we have had, it is the third to have a stuck bright pixel, and this one even has a faint over lay issue as well, which we were able to adjust out of the screen. This is the last Vizio product we ever purchase.

Hands down it does offer one of the most stunning pictures on the market, but at nearly $900 on Amazon, and over $1000, at Vizio, a company should stand behind its product and show real support for it's customer, Vizio just doesn't do it.

On a side note we own a 1 year old Sony Bravia 40" LCD, and we have had no issue what so ever from it. It is only 60hz, and has low contrast, but out of the box from Wal-Mart, we have had not a single problem! NOTHING!

My advice to Vizio... you either stand behind your products, or stand down!

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Product Description:
Breaking the mold of traditional HDTVs, the VIZIO XVT series brings you the latest, cutting edge HDTV technologies. From 1080p full high definition resolution, to 240Hz SPS, 50,000:1 contrast ratio and advanced sound technologies.


The latest, cutting edge HDTV technologies. Click to enlarge.
Full 1080p resolution for the best picture.
240 Hz refresh rate for blur-free images.
Browse and play back video, music and images from USB devices.
Full-function remote included.
1080P Full HD
Full 1080P High Definition resolution gives you over 2 million pixels, making the clarity and detail of your picture razor sharp.
240Hz Refresh Rate
Delivers 240 scenes per second producing enhanced frame rate and delivering sharper clarity of fast action scenes for blur free images.
ECO HD
ECO HD exceeds the current Energy Star Guidelines by 15% below Energy Star 3.0, saving you money on your utility bills while limiting the impact on our planet.
Built-In Speakers
Two built-in 15-Watt speakers provide room-filling sound.
SRS Audio Technologies
SRS TruVolume evens out dynamics to limit volume inconsistencies between programming. SRS TruSurround HD delivers immersive virtual high-definition surround sound out of the unit's two speakers.
178-Degree Horizontal Viewing Angle
The SV421XVT features a viewing angle of up to 178 degrees, resulting in a crisp and clear picture that is easily visible from just about anywhere in the room.
USB Multimedia Features
Plug portable hard drives, flash thumb drives or other USB devices into the SV421XVT for enjoying a variety of digital media. The SV41XVT supports the following formats:

Video: ASF, WMV, AVI, MP4, MOV, MPG, MPEG, VOB
Audio: MP3
Image: JPG, JPEG

Easily browse to your video content and enjoy with a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio and a suitable picture mode. With MP3s, you'll get repeat and shuffle playback modes along with standard controls and various EQ settings. When in Music Mode, the screen goes darker to conserve energy. As for your JPEGs, you can browse through them or enjoy a slide show, complete with background music.
SV421XVT Inputs

HDMI with HDCP: 4 (1 side)
RF Connector for Internal Tuner: 1
Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio: 2 (1 side)
S-Video: 1
Computer RGB: 1
Composite Video: 2 (1 side)
USB Port: 1

SV421XVT Outputs

SPDIF Digital Optical: 1
Headphones: 1 (side)

One-Year Warranty
VIZIO provides a one-year warranty on its products for extra peace of mind in your purchase.
What's in the Box
VIZIO SV421XVT, VIZIO remote control VUR8M, AA batteries for the remote control (2), Power cord, Safety Strap, Cleaning Cloth, User manual, Quick Setup Guide, Registration Card

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