Size is usually a good place to start. 42 inches has become a popular option, but in many rooms it can seem a tad small and commonplace. My friend's better half had already informed him that 50 inches was NOT allowed - that's just way too big, apparently. Consequently, we landed on the 46/47-inch size range - not too big, not too small. Next came the inevitable LCD versus plasma debate.
On account of its superior performance during daytime viewing and its (typically) lower rate of power consumption, we decided to focus on LCD flat panels as opposed to plasma. There are also considerably more LCD models to choose from. Plasma, despite its superior picture quality in a darkened theater, seems to be losing its allure among TV makers.
The final decision had to do with options. The only "Must Haves" in my book were a healthy array of HDMI inputs and picture calibration flexibility. 120Hz or 240Hz processing was not high on the list, but more on that later. Although the LED backlighting available on select LCD models can sometimes deliver deeper blacks - and in turn a more attractive picture - its novelty will still add several hundred dollars to your bottom line. So, to recap, my friend and I were on the prowl for a high value LCD flat panel in the 46/47-inch size category. The store we were at didn't carry VIZIO brand displays, but if they had, I have no doubt that the SV471XVT would have made the short list of final contenders.
Like its predecessor/sibling, the SV470XVT, Vizio's SV471XVT continues the manufacturer's tradition of delivering solid-performing, well-equipped displays at an affordable price. The 471 offers a handful of improvements over the 470, chief among them a brighter panel, (arguably) improved motion processing and a USB port for photo and video playback.
On account of its superior performance during daytime viewing and its (typically) lower rate of power consumption, we decided to focus on LCD flat panels as opposed to plasma. There are also considerably more LCD models to choose from. Plasma, despite its superior picture quality in a darkened theater, seems to be losing its allure among TV makers.
The final decision had to do with options. The only "Must Haves" in my book were a healthy array of HDMI inputs and picture calibration flexibility. 120Hz or 240Hz processing was not high on the list, but more on that later. Although the LED backlighting available on select LCD models can sometimes deliver deeper blacks - and in turn a more attractive picture - its novelty will still add several hundred dollars to your bottom line. So, to recap, my friend and I were on the prowl for a high value LCD flat panel in the 46/47-inch size category. The store we were at didn't carry VIZIO brand displays, but if they had, I have no doubt that the SV471XVT would have made the short list of final contenders.
Like its predecessor/sibling, the SV470XVT, Vizio's SV471XVT continues the manufacturer's tradition of delivering solid-performing, well-equipped displays at an affordable price. The 471 offers a handful of improvements over the 470, chief among them a brighter panel, (arguably) improved motion processing and a USB port for photo and video playback.
Manufacturer's Specifications for Vizio SV471XVT LCD HDTV:
Video:
* Panel Type: 47-inch class (46.96" actual) 16:9 widescreen, TFT active matrix LCD
* Pixel/Dot Pitch: 0.5415mm (H) x 0.5415mm (V)
* Display Compatibility: Full HDTV 1080p
* Signal Compatibility: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
* Native Panel Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
* Supported PC Resolutions: 1920x1080, 1360x768, 1024x768, 800x600, 640x480
* Response Time: 4 ms (typical)
* Colors: 1.06 Billion
* Brightness: 500 cd/m2 (typical)
* Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1 (w/DCR)
* Refresh Rate: 240Hz (120Hz plus scanning backlight)
* Viewable Angle: <178 degrees (horizontal and vertical)
* 3:2 or 2:2 Reverse Pull-down
* Color Temperature: 6500K (standard), 5400K and 9300K
* Color Fine Tuning: Independent Red, Green and Blue
* Tuner: Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
Audio:
* Onboard Speakers: 15W x 2
* SRS TruSurround HD
* SRS TruVolume
Inputs:
* HDMI with HDCP: 4
* Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1
* Component (YPbPr) Video plus Analog Stereo: 2
* Composite Video: 1
* S-Video plus Stereo Audio: 1
* Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio (mini-jack): 1
* RF (F-connector for internal tuner): 1
* USB: 1
Outputs:
* Analog Stereo (RCA-type): 1
* Digital Optical Audio: 1
Additional:
* Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
* Picture-outside-Picture (POP)
* V-Chip
* 3D Comb Filter
* Panel Lamp Life: 50,000 hours
* Power Consumption: 176W average, 1.0W standby
* Removable Base
* Warranty: One Year Parts & Labor, Free Lifetime Technical Support, Free On-Site Repair
* MSRP: $1,499.99
Weight and Dimensions:
* Weight: 44.1 lbs
* Weight with Stand: 49.3 lbs.
* Weight with Packaging: 63.7 lbs.
* Dimensions: 43.9" x 28.1" x 4" (WxHxD)
* Dimensions with Stand: 43.9" x 29.7" x 10" (WxHxD)
Video:
* Panel Type: 47-inch class (46.96" actual) 16:9 widescreen, TFT active matrix LCD
* Pixel/Dot Pitch: 0.5415mm (H) x 0.5415mm (V)
* Display Compatibility: Full HDTV 1080p
* Signal Compatibility: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
* Native Panel Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
* Supported PC Resolutions: 1920x1080, 1360x768, 1024x768, 800x600, 640x480
* Response Time: 4 ms (typical)
* Colors: 1.06 Billion
* Brightness: 500 cd/m2 (typical)
* Contrast Ratio: 50,000:1 (w/DCR)
* Refresh Rate: 240Hz (120Hz plus scanning backlight)
* Viewable Angle: <178 degrees (horizontal and vertical)
* 3:2 or 2:2 Reverse Pull-down
* Color Temperature: 6500K (standard), 5400K and 9300K
* Color Fine Tuning: Independent Red, Green and Blue
* Tuner: Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
Audio:
* Onboard Speakers: 15W x 2
* SRS TruSurround HD
* SRS TruVolume
Inputs:
* HDMI with HDCP: 4
* Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1
* Component (YPbPr) Video plus Analog Stereo: 2
* Composite Video: 1
* S-Video plus Stereo Audio: 1
* Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio (mini-jack): 1
* RF (F-connector for internal tuner): 1
* USB: 1
Outputs:
* Analog Stereo (RCA-type): 1
* Digital Optical Audio: 1
Additional:
* Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
* Picture-outside-Picture (POP)
* V-Chip
* 3D Comb Filter
* Panel Lamp Life: 50,000 hours
* Power Consumption: 176W average, 1.0W standby
* Removable Base
* Warranty: One Year Parts & Labor, Free Lifetime Technical Support, Free On-Site Repair
* MSRP: $1,499.99
Weight and Dimensions:
* Weight: 44.1 lbs
* Weight with Stand: 49.3 lbs.
* Weight with Packaging: 63.7 lbs.
* Dimensions: 43.9" x 28.1" x 4" (WxHxD)
* Dimensions with Stand: 43.9" x 29.7" x 10" (WxHxD)
