Vizio's 1080p 47-inch LCD out now

Vizio not only recently announced a 1080p 47-inch LCD, but actually beat the predicted release of February by a month, giving retailers plenty of time to stock up on the sets before the Super Bowl. Even better, the GV47LF launches at the same suggested retail price of $1899 as the 720p set it replaces. Manufacturers are increasingly announcing and shipping 1080p-capable sets as the two next-gen DVD formats start to become more widespread from PlayStation3 and second-generation HD DVD sales. As for the GV47LF, it will offer 500 cd/m2 brightness, 800:1 contrast, and an 8ms response rate, along with two HDMI jacks, two component connectors, and removable speakers.

[andy @ Jan 4th 2007 7:25PM]

Isn't it also an inch bigger than the 46" LCD it replaces?

[NNTPgrip @ Jan 5th 2007 9:08AM]

"and removable speakers"

- This should be a feature of ALL sets damnit.

Also - and this is something I haven't seen yet - at least the component inputs, if not all others should have optical INPUTS. That way I would never have to change inputs on my receiver.

Of course, in my mind HDMI should allow for either Daisy-chaining or use of a hub like USB. The devices connected then "broadcast" an identifying text string, so then you can have as many inputs as necessary and meaningful names for them with no switchboxes. Oh and use the control spec already, I want one remote without it being something I must program.

[JL @ Jan 5th 2007 9:40AM]

I saw this one at costco on Sunday and it nice. They will have this tv on sale starting Jan 15 for 250 off 1899.00 - 250.00 that a really good deal for 46" LCD 1080p

[Alex @ Jan 4th 2007 5:42PM]

Ugh...The only bad thing about this TV is the 800:1 contrast...Damn it.

[Keith @ Jan 4th 2007 7:46PM]

Actually the contrast ratio listed is wrong. I work at Costco and am buying the tv when it goes on coupon on January 15th. The packaging lists a 1600:1 contrast ratio.

[Big John @ Jan 4th 2007 8:15PM]

Agreed. Poor constrast ratio. I really want this set, especially at that price. I'd be willing to pay another $100 for improved contrast.

[Mark Olenski @ Jan 4th 2007 6:33PM]

I have had this set for 2 days and have 2 major problems. The fan hum is so load you can hear it in the next room. When you are on SD channels the picture is shifted 3 inches to the right. I will give them one more chance. I had to bring the 46" back because of a backlight hum.

[djblaze @ Jan 6th 2007 3:04AM]

There is a fix to that "humming" that has been reported. Vizio tech support says to first, go to the backlight and set it all the way to 100. Next go to the sound portion of the menu and look for the "Surround" option. Now turn it off. Vizio says that this fixes the problem. A number of members from the store have tried this and report that it is fixing the humming.

I hope this helps.

[Justin @ Jan 5th 2007 10:06AM]

I second that first comment.

[David @ Jan 4th 2007 6:37PM]

Costco will discount this set by $250 from 1/15-1/21.

[wtf @ Jan 5th 2007 9:34AM]

is the contrast a noticable con? or is just just a number name brand use to raise the price?

[lattelvr @ Jan 4th 2007 8:40PM]

I just bought a 46" Samsung 1080p for $2800 and wish that this had been out. I would have seriously considered it. The only thing is that my TV has a 6000:1 contrast ratio, not 800:1.

[Alan @ Jan 4th 2007 7:47PM]

Is it really 1080p - the specs at their web site don't have native resolutions that high (only up to 768)?

[Kazsmir @ Jan 5th 2007 10:44AM]

According to Vizio's website:

Contrast Ratio: 800:1 (Typical), 1600:1 (with DCR)

[Steffan @ Jan 5th 2007 1:52PM]

their website states it wont output 1900x1080 via dvi or vga. And what's up with 640x480 over HDMI??

[Andy @ Jan 19th 2007 12:08AM]

So can anyone explain the difference between Vizio's 800:1 contrast ratio versus a 6000:1 contrast ratio? Each company has their own ratings. I saw the Vizio next to the $2999 Sony at Costco and will be in line Monday to buy the Vizio. It appeared to be brighter than any other Plasma or LCD. I even had 3 Costco employees staring at the TVs with me, we moved left, right, back and forward and all agreed the Vizio had the best looking picture. I even played with the settings on the TV to ensure they didn't have the brightness and/or contrast cranked up, but they were at their default levels.

[Andy @ Jan 15th 2007 10:27AM]

I called Vizio about the native resolution and have been on hold for over an hour. Might not be such a good purchase if nobody answers the phone. Also found out the 6000:1 contrast is dynamic while Vizio's 800:1 is static.

[Vishal @ Jan 15th 2007 10:38PM]

Just got this tv today from Costco. Had to wait in line. They had 25 and were sold out in about 4 hrs. Only $1650!!! wow the picture is amazing. I hooked it up to my media center pc (which has a 1080p output card - 1920x1080)! AND WOW!! Looks so nice. Crystal clear LCD! about to buy the USB HD DVD drive to check out HD DVDs on this badboy.

Runs 1920x1080 natively. Even their menus are at that high res.

[Leo @ Jan 18th 2007 9:35PM]

I tried the Humming fix as Vizio suggested by adjusting the backlight to 100 and turning off the surround setting. The result was no change other than turning off the surround function cut sound off one speaker and left the other with the same loud hum. This is really anoying and it shocks me a product could be designed with this obvious flaw. I'm not sure what to do at this point. It has put a real damper on the excitement of our purchase.

[kerry @ Jan 19th 2007 4:24PM]

I am having a problem with my GV47F turning off during use and not coming back on when I try to activate it. I have had to unplug it for a little while then it will come on. Anybody know anything about this?

[Rafael @ Jan 18th 2007 11:35AM]

Well, well, well... I am not the only one with the same problem. I bought my Vizio 47/1080i on Monday, hooked it up and everything was find so far. Later on I turned it on again, but this time with that annoying humming noise, I was a little dissapointed I had to wait until the next day for customer service, they said it was either an overcharge loop or a bad circuitry... The best I could do was to bring it back to Costco. I exchanged the TV for another one, I am planning of giving Vizio another chance, but I am not that excited anymore

[Raj @ Jan 19th 2007 1:06PM]

It seems to be the problem across the board. I have a similar humming problem. Pl. let me know if the new set resolved it.

[Robert Trama @ Jan 22nd 2007 3:08PM]

Adjusting the backlight to 100 (leaving the surround sound in the on position) got rid of the high-pitched humming sound. Everything else is fine. Great picture for the price. I purchased it at $1899 5 days before the$250 coupon went into effect. Costco was kind enough to refund me for the $250. I had to ask the supervisor after the membership clerk advised me to return the unit and buy it back with the coupon.

[dlylama @ Jan 19th 2007 4:10PM]

Purchased the GV47L on 01/02/07 and all was terrific until last Monday's 24 episode...Next day, hum, hum.
(must've been that nuclear explosion).

Took it back to Costco, advised that Costco now has a "Concierge" service for technical problems (free).

Read about the so-called fix to the humming noise...turning off the surround feature sounds like you are losing a nice feature?

[paul @ Feb 2nd 2007 10:25AM]

Just picked up this set last night from Costco and was disappointed to hear this humming sound from the right speaker. I unhooked the speaker and the hum went away. The fix they suggest sounds lame. Has anyone connected the audio out to a receiver while disconnecting the 'L' and 'R' speaker from the LCD to do a comparison? It looks like they pushed these sets through without doing adequate QA.

[paul @ Feb 2nd 2007 7:45PM]

Just got off the phone with Vizio (2hrs) and they ran by the 100% backlight and said that that was the fix. I told them that was unacceptable and they said I had 2 options. 1st - They would come out and replace the circuit board with the problem or 2nd - They would ship me a NEW set that does not have this hum. I choose the later. We'll see in 10 days when they drop off the new set. If you call within 30 days of purchase they will ship out another set to replace it.

[Michelle @ Mar 13th 2007 4:54PM]

I am looking to buy this Vizio 47" LCD and I would like to know if there are more of you that regret the buy or would buy it again?

[Dana @ Apr 29th 2007 7:33PM]

Bought a Vizio 47" a few days ago. AMAZING PICTURE! BUT-- I have a problem on 4 HD stations. There's a broken white line way up on the top of the picture. ONLY ON 4 stations. My cable company said it's the Vizio. I called Vizio-they said it's the cable. I had a service call from Vizio. He told me (nice guy) that he really thought there was a problem with the display on the TV. So- I brought it back to CostCo and got another one. And guess what? The same problem!

The picture on all of the other channels is magnificent and, truth be told, these are four channels that I will probably never watch. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

I'd appreciate any opinions, comments.

THANKS!