VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800

If VIZIO's brand new XVT Series is a bit rich for your blood, how's about a pair of plasmas for under eight bones? Yep, the 32-inch VP322 and 42-inch VP422 -- which were announced at CES at $689 and $999, respectively -- are now available in Wal-Mart locations across America, and they're selling for even less than that. Right now, those longing to hop in the HDTV game without breaking the bank can secure the VP322 for just $599, while the VP422 will set you back just $799. Both sets possess a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 720p panel, 3 HDMI sockets (along with component / VGA) and a built-in ATSC digital tuner with ClearQAM support. Not too shabby for the price, wouldn't you agree? [Warning: PDF read link]

Gallery: VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800

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[Randy Beck @ Jun 25th 2008 8:35AM]

I don't believe the 32 inch is a plasma. I don't think anyone makes a plasma that small. Must be an lcd

[stens @ Jun 25th 2008 8:49AM]

Someone apparently does make a 32" plasma, or Vizio really thinks so anyway...

http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=58

[Daza @ Jun 25th 2008 8:59AM]

LG has been making 32" Plasma panels for quite some time, they just sell them to companies like VIZIO, etc.

[LGP @ Jun 25th 2008 9:19AM]

@Daza,

LG Display Inc. (Formerly LG-Philips Corp.) of Korea, the leading LCD manufacturer, is currently supplying its A-grade LCD/Plasma panels to the leading American companies like Apple (Cinema Display Series), DELL and HP, while allowing the small Taiwanese foundry companies, which actually make Vizios or other no-name low-end LCD TVs, to use its B to D-grade LCD/Plasma panels.

[vdogg89 @ Jun 25th 2008 10:03AM]

lol, beleive it, its a plasma.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jun 26th 2008 3:04AM]

Most Vizio's TV's die after 1 year and if your lucky, you may get two years out of it. If you have doubts just use google and you'll find over 10,000 similar stories.

[MastrCake @ Jun 26th 2008 4:26AM]

@CAPS LOCK:

I just googled the whole Vizio problem, and I didn't see anywhere NEAR 10,000 problems...

On a less sarcastic note, I do have a Vizio LCD. No signs of dying anytime soon. Looks and works great.

I just went to Wal-Mart today and was looking at smaller TVs. I saw TVs that all look about the same, then I come up on this. A 32 inch plasma. From Vizio. Easily the best picture quality of all of the 37-or-less-inch TVs on display.

And I'm buying it. Soon.

[lance @ Jun 25th 2008 8:36AM]

that right there is cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

[Abhinav @ Jun 25th 2008 8:39AM]

Drop the price a bit more and temme where i can get a couple...
Multi monitor display here i come...

[Cybergypsy @ Jun 25th 2008 9:28AM]

Not really never had a issue at all with mine all issues i had were with a LG or Sony

[Adrian Williams @ Jun 25th 2008 8:40AM]

Better get insurance with these

[patsy @ Jun 25th 2008 8:43AM]

Actually even less than that at $747, if this is the same product: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8477432

However, 1024x720 is a bit wimpy even for a 42" set, you'd definitely see some pixels from 6-8ft. Considering that 1080p LCDs from Vizio are not much more, I'd say they're a better buy.

[Pochi @ Jun 25th 2008 8:58AM]

Absolutely. Just fill the piggy bank up with a few more bucks and you can go 1080p and even better specs.

Vizio's TVs are shockingly decent these days, too.

[rock99rock @ Jun 25th 2008 3:21PM]

the 720p version you linked to is this exact TV. It also has a brightness of 1500 cd/m2 , which is aka STUPID BRIGHT in professional terms.

[Eric M. @ Jun 25th 2008 8:44AM]

So this means their older models are cheaper now! Off to eBay I go!

[Rich @ Jun 25th 2008 8:50AM]

Purchased the 42' this weekend for $747 at walmart. Then used a friends 10% employee discount to make the final price $712 after tax. It is a great tv for the price. I love it.

[poopy @ Jun 25th 2008 10:42AM]

42'. Thats a damn big TV

[Erik @ Jun 25th 2008 10:50AM]

Holy crap! You bought a 42-foot TV this weekend? Hey, buddy...

[LiqwidZero @ Jun 25th 2008 11:26AM]

Heh, I might do that, too.

[OneLove @ Jun 25th 2008 12:25PM]

50 is the new 42.

[Erwos @ Jun 25th 2008 8:59AM]

32" plasma - weird. It's a fascinating idea, but given plasma's huge power draw, I think I'd opt for an LCD instead, unless brightness and response time were huge priorities.

[hiko36 @ Jun 25th 2008 9:01AM]

I love how they took away the big ass speaker at the bottom. Now they look halfway decent.

[Cybergypsy @ Jun 25th 2008 9:25AM]

I have a 32 LCD and love it from them

[z0phi3l @ Jun 25th 2008 9:35AM]

These are great for someone just getting into widescreen and HD content, yes it's only 720, but the average user doesn't know 720 from 1080, and good luck finding a WalMart employee smart enough to give you a correct answer.

[LongshotX @ Jun 25th 2008 10:43AM]

Engadget please do a review. Compare the 32 inch model to similarly sized LCDs. Thanks.

[sjdurfey @ Jun 25th 2008 1:53PM]

i concur very much.

[Dee @ Jun 25th 2008 11:25AM]

I stood side by side with a 42" Vizio and a 40" Samsung...I got the Samsung. Rather than shell $700 or so for a HDTV, why not wait some more, save another $700 and buy a $1400 quality HDTV. The problem is people aren't patient and you get what you pay for.

[LiqwidZero @ Jun 25th 2008 11:27AM]

I know I'm not.

[ddub @ Jun 25th 2008 12:55PM]

Spending twice as much is not getting what you pay for.

[krajung.com @ Jun 25th 2008 11:36AM]

Oh!!! work, please do a review. ^_^

[Noah @ Jun 25th 2008 11:45AM]

"dynamic contrast ratio"....I wonder how they came up with that term. I found the true numbers on a couple of sets, and it looks like the dynamic contrast ratio is about 8x's the normal contrast ratio. So the contrast ratio on these sets are about 4000:1. For a Plasma, thats piss poor. I think that plasma sets get over 100,000:1 contrast ratio normally, or in the high-end sets.

Well, thats what you get for 800 bucks. I think I'd rather go for the LCD sets below.

[Bryan Thornsberry @ Jun 25th 2008 12:02PM]

its 40,000:1.

And BTW, (i think) contrast ratio is not an industry standard. Each panel manufacturer sets their own standard of contrast ratio. (ie samsung's million to one may look pretty close to say panasonics 50,000:1) Its up to the consumer to do comparison tests. My LG 42" plasma has a 30,000:1 CR and it looks amazing.

[TigerClaw @ Jun 25th 2008 12:20PM]

I seen this set at Walmart and I looked at it quality wise with the other LCDs next to it.
It doesn't compare to the LCDs due to its native resolution of 1024x720.
Its a shame that there marketing this as a 720p plasma when the reality is that 1024x720 isn't even HD.
HD is 1280x720 or higher, Anything below that is not HD.

[DigitalForensicGradStudent @ Jun 25th 2008 12:38PM]

Some vizio's are ok. Some are garbage. There isnt much quality control across the product lines. Even with the same manf. number, you can have tv's with different menus, software, and even panels.

Someone I know bought two 37" lcds, same everything. One ended up looking good (read: ok black levels) the other was awful and the screen bled like a mother (things that were supposed to be black, were blue).

[rscheutz @ Jun 25th 2008 1:01PM]

I bought the 32" a few weeks ago. For $547, it pretty fantastic. Perfect for a 2nd TV or bedroom set. Hooked my laptop up to it with wireless keyboard/mouse...Engadget from bed!!!

[DP @ Jun 25th 2008 1:27PM]

I think a brief review may be in order, fellas.

[Czanchez @ Jun 25th 2008 8:31PM]

I own one of the 32" Plasmas, I guess its the older version. Works great, I saw a 42 (I think it was the plasma because it was the same style as mine) and it had the clearest looking picture of all the TVs on display. But then again it could be because of the Wal-Mart people not knowing how to set things up. ( Like how the 32" was displaying Standard Definition while tooting a sticker that claimed it was 720p)

I don't have blu-ray or anything like that (yet) but my computer and TV HD look great on this thing (that is when I'm not on the internet, damn comcast..)

[mark @ Jun 27th 2008 10:25PM]

Can someone explain the pros and cons of the vizio 32 inch lcd compared to the vizio 32 plasma? I have an lcd that has been great and am considering getting another TV, but don't know if plasma is better or what? thanks mark