Video Asylum

The 32" Plasma at Walmart for $528

98.216.103.95

Jim Doyle

I posted on the Tubes/SET side of the asylum for years.
Recently bought the Vizio VP322 at Walmart for a paltry 528 clams.
AMAZED at the picture - never seen such vivid plant green and warm
fleshtones. I was a late adopter of HDTV, and only bought the Walmart
plasma because I didnt think TV that that important in my life. I got
the Plasma because it simply looked better than the LCDs in the store.
Friends told me the Plasma is a better bet for color reproduction and contrast.

For the first time in DECADES, I actually LOOK FORWARD to coming home
from work to watch some TV!

I'd really suggest a swing by Walmart and a gander at this 32" plasma
wonder!

-- Jim

Follow Ups:

Can't wait for a 37"! - cdb 18:30:02 07/29/08 (0)
Congrats!

How's the brightness issue during daylight hours without closing drapes or blinds?

Is the owner's manual chinglish?

Does it delve into some of the more advanced non-consumer settings (contrast, black level, color temp)?

TIA.
the plasma experience - Joe Murphy Jr 02:03:30 07/27/08 (5)
Welcome to over 5 years ago.
:-)

Seriously, glad to see you are so very enthusiastic about your display purchase. Most of the display forum chatter is very positive about this display size category. The 32" plasma models fill a sector that was abandoned by the major plasma display manufacturers several years ago. For people looking for a display in this range, they were restricted to LCD or direct view CRT (not a bad option, but the form factor vs flat panel lost hands down). LG, the source of these panels, doesn't market this size in the US, but Vizio and Best Buy obviously saw an opportunity and responded. You'll also notice that just about everyone in the commentary sections below rated the picture quality of these displays above that of their similar sized LCD counterparts.

Plasma: still kickin' LCD's ass!

Here's the product page at Vizio's site:
http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=58

Here's commentary at AVS:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1027358

Best Buy is also selling a 32" plasma (based on the same LG OEM panel as Vizio's 32" plasma) under their Insignia brand. There seem to be a few more inputs and features if going this route and the pricing is similar.

Here's the product page at Best Buy's site:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8760771&st=insignia+plasma&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1203815033908

Here's commentary at AVS:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1048985&highlight=insignia

While I don't usually recommend extended warranties, an exception is off-brand electronics. LG is obviously not an off-brand, but the electronics that drive these panels and the rest of the finished product is off-brand. For these displays, the extended warranties range from $60 - $90 and it's probably a good investment that may save you some grief and headache in the future. Not saying you're going to need it, but I will recommend it in this situation.
- The place for 32" plasma - Jim Doyle 22:05:31 07/27/08 (4)
  Thank you for welcoming me to 2003. :) Back then, if I remember,
  this same TV was state of the art and a $4K-$5K purchase. How fast things
  change.
  
  For whatever reason, I've felt that the 42" has been forced down our throats as the "entry level" dimensions for a screen. 42" is the Hummer H1 of the marketing minds in the consumer electronics industry - its what everyone SHOULD want! Not true! The problem is 42" only works
  well in LARGE homes - and most of America does not have Great Rooms or
  dedicated theatre rooms in their homes. Further, the trend of using Home Equity Loans to acquire this equipment is now LONG OVER with.
  
  I'm an urban apartment dweller. 42" is an invasion of my space. It's too
  much, and given that I'm 5,6,7' away from the screen - 32" is fine for me!
  I want other things on my wall - art, pictures - there's other things in my living room I need room for: speakers, tube amps, more tube amps, a vinyl collection, furniture, friends to come and visit. :)
  
  I think there are some other advantages to 32" for those who find it a
  good fit: less power, less heat, more options open for furnishings if
  you dont wall mount, not a giant financial impact if you apartment gets
  broken into!
  
  -- Jim
  - cost: don't feel bad - Joe Murphy Jr 18:41:54 07/28/08 (0)
    I spent just over $6k for my 50" broadcast model plasma in February 2004. Then, less than two years later, the equivalent model has several improvements, additional input options, higher performance, etc all for a lovely $3k less than what I paid for mine!
    
    For most people, the room plays a greater part of the decision process than for ones who are "into" video. The same applies to audio, as audiophiles are more likely to have large speakers in their livingroom than the "normal" person who, more than likely, will have some Bose-type speakers.
    
    Here's an extreme example of "into" video at my house: sometime in the next 6 - 8 months, the 50" plasma that's in the livingroom will be moved to our bedroom, the 42" plasma that's there now will be moved to son #1's bedroom and the 32" LCD that's there now will be moved into son #2's bedroom (his 27" CRT crapped out -- it was 17 years old -- and the poor 4 yr old is coping with a 20" CRT at the moment). I haven't decided if I'll put a 60/65" plasma in the livingroom or a projector or keep the 50" plasma there while adding a projector for movie watching. If I do the latter, I will probably get the 8 yr old one of those 32" plasmas and send the 32" LCD to his brother's room. Then there's the 42" LCD that I use as the desktop's monitor which adds another option to the mix.
  - The 32" is also a great size for those rooms where you do - Duilawyer 08:26:40 07/28/08 (2)
    not want a TV. I have a living room with view of the mountains, and don't want a TV, I want to see the mountains (and way back the ocean). But a 32" can be cantilevered so it swings out from a wall, in the emergency event you need to see the World series, etc.
    - Its a good size for a bathroom (nt) - Jack G 15:39:51 07/31/08 (1)
      .
      - or a kid's room [nt] - Joe Murphy Jr 19:48:17 08/03/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Its a good size for a bathroom (nt) posted by Jack G on July 31, 2008 at 15:39:51
        
        .

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