Another what to look for in a TV thread

[shawn]

Supposedly vizio has Sony guts

Vizios have Vizio guts. I don't know who makes their panels (could be several different sources), but I'm not sure it matters. For example, Sony and Samsung (for a long time, not sure if this is still the case) co-owned the panel factory where they both produced their panels. But the completed tvs had vastly different capabilities and weaknesses, mostly due to differences in other components and software. The most consistent thing about Vizios is that they're pretty inconsistent. TVs from different model lines (and even different size screens within the same "line", see the E series, for example) won't have the same picture quality, because the underlying guts are different.

My understanding is that Vizios are generally great monitors for the price, and the P and M series are capable of great picture quality, but again, they're not televisions, so if you're interested in "cutting the cord", you'll have to look elsewhere.

Keep in mind too that when you go look at them in a store, the lighting is different and you are usually a lot closer to the tv than when you are sitting on your couch.

Yup. The screen settings might also be calibrated for that environment, and unlike the old days when every screen in the store was showing the same source, nowadays each manufacturer has their own demo reel that's designed to make their screens look the absolute best they can look.