$1999, 55-inch Vizio goes for LED price jugular

At just $1999, the 55-inch VF551XVT hits a new low for LED-backlit LCD TV pricing.

(Credit: Vizio)

More often than not at the January Consumer Electronics Show, manufacturers refuse to divulge pricing information until closer to the product's launch later in the year, usually citing vague competitive reasons. Not Vizio. The bargain flat-panel brand isn't shy about pricing, especially when the price is as good as this.

The Vizio VF551XVT represents a new low price point for LCD-based HDTVs with LED backlights. This 55-inch HDTV will cost a mere $1,999 when it hits store shelves in June.

Compared with current 55-inch LED models such as the Samsung LN55A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8, which sell for at least $3,500 and $6,500 respectively, the Vizio's price is groundbreaking. It puts LED backlight technology within the realm of affordability for big screen flat-panel shoppers. We can't wait to see how this set performs, but if it provides the same kind of picture quality improvements of current LED TVs, it will be a very good bargain.

LED backlights like the one on the Vizio VF551XVT, as well as on the Sony and Samsung models cited above, use "local dimming" technology, which turns off or dims the backlight in dark areas while leaving it turned-on in brighter areas. The result is significantly improved black-level performance, a major ingredient in picture quality.

Vizio also hit the other big feature buzzword with this model, endowing it with a 240Hz refresh rate. Compared with standard 120Hz with dejudder processing, the extra Hz supposedly improve picture smoothness. The company has said it's improved its dejudder processing over the 120Hz SV470XVT we reviewed last year. Vizio is touting the set's antiglare screen and improved viewing angles, and includes an integrated sound bar with simulated surround capability.

The set also offers a USB input that can play back MPEG-2, H.264, WMV9 Video, along with JPEG photos and MP3 music files, and the company throws in a USB thumbdrive with a preloaded 1080p video.