55" Class (54.64” Diag.) TruLED HDTV with Vizio Internet Apps

Customer Reviews

Amazing product, especially for the price!!! Review by Baconator

I would buy this again in a heartbeat. I have a "TV guy" at a shop down the street who hooked me up with a refurb for less than $800. Original packaging, receipt, warranty, the whole deal. I've had it for a year now and I can honestly say I have not, in person, seen a better television before or since. Now, it's not 3D so if that's your bag than whatever, but between the contrast ratio and the rich colors you can make it look as brilliant as the Quattro without spending the money. And believe me when I tell you that the VIA apps have everything. EV-ERY-THING you could want. I've now replaced all TVs in my house with Vizios, and I couldn't be happier. I mean, does YOUR television have Bluetooth and 240Hz? It will if you buy this one...

(Posted on 8/22/12)

You'll be hard pressed to find a wall mountable that looks this good without buying a professional monitor for $10k+ Review by BrianIL

I've seen and compared many. Simply turning the backlight down below "10" and notching up the brightness (black floor/level) to match lighting conditions results in a truly impressive experience for a LCD. Excellent black levels and lifelike color that's not "painted/saturated/unnatural as many other high end consumer grade sets. Outperforms the quatrons in many areas in my opinion. Full array is the way to go: only time I've ever noticed the dynamic "halo" effect is on white text over black background (credit rolls). Much better than edge lit screens --on those lesser sets I inevitably turn dynamic contrast off because the constant whole screen bright/dimming drives me crazy. During normal program material I have yet to notice any undesirable effects from local dimming/dynamic handling, and I leave it on! I'm looking to shift TVs around the house, and waiting for a 65"+ equivalant model from Vizio...please hurry!

(Posted on 6/29/12)

SO FAR SO GOOD! Review by McCinabon

Bought this TV about a month ago now.. and It's OUTSTANDING!!!!... The Picture Blows my socks off.... The sound is Great... I can't say anything bad other than I wish I could afford more than one at the same time for the other rooms :o)

Need to add CRACKLE to the Apps.....

So Far I love the TV

(Posted on 4/10/12)

Great Buy!! Review by Dennis

My wife and I were looking at HDTV's at SAMs. I took some notes and went home to do some research. I already owned a 42" Vizio, and really fell in love with this TV. Paid $1298.00, and couldn't be happier. What a Beautiful picture. I am going back to get the Vizio sound bar next week. Thanks Vizio!!!

(Posted on 3/31/12)

Excellent TV Review by Davie

Excellent TV great buy

(Posted on 3/18/12)

Outstanding TV Review by redmetoc

After weeks of researching brands and features as well as trying to decide to buy online or local, we decided to buy this XVT553SV from a local Sam's Club and have owned it a week.

We are absolutely thrilled with this TV! The picture out of the box was outstanding and customizing some of the settings just makes it better.

Although my router was immediately recognized (with 4 and 5 out of 5 bars of signal strength), the TV had trouble connecting but once I changed my router "password" from a sentence to a single compound word, the 553 connected quickly and reliably. (Note: I read online that the password needs to be all letters or all numbers, i.e. don't use both, and needs to be a single "word".) It's our first experience with a "smart" TV and we're glad we went with this feature - it really has expanded our enjoyment of the TV.

The app "dock" (the horizontal, single line of app "cards" you navigate by scrolling to the left or the right) is fairly easy to use, especially once we deleted those apps we won't be using. Adding apps is easy and nearly 160 were available. Streaming videos, so far only from Amazon, are trouble free. Radio apps (e.g. fusion jazz from Germany!) have been 99% trouble free.

Vizio customer service is also outstanding - for the one time I used it. After the initial firmware update, the app "Widget Gallery" card (that leads to the listing of available apps) appeared to disappear. Using the Vizio online email, I explained the situation and asked what I could do. I expected to wait for hours or overnight but in less than 30 minutes a response arrived. It turned out the app was still there but had been renamed to "Connected TV Store" - not intuitive so I had just been scrolling past it. The point is that the Vizio customer service response was very fast and solved my problem.

The speakers provide surprisingly good sound and was how I was listening to app audio until I routed app audio to my A/V receiver using a digital audio cable. I'm currently using a 3.0 speaker system while I wait for my new 7.1 speakers to arrive but I would be completely satisfied with just the TV speakers if I was just starting my home theater system.

I expect the thrill as new owners of this Vizio XVT553SV will last a long, long time. There is ZERO second guessing of our purchase of this Smart HDTV and that's a great feeling considering it's the center piece of our multimedia entertainment system and will be for years to come.

(Posted on 3/11/12)

Excellent TV Review by Ned

Purchased in Dec 2011 from Sam's Club Online with the Christmas holiday rebate it was an excellent value for a TV top rated by consumer reports. Could use more than 1 set of component inputs - but has plenty of HDMI inputs (5). Used a Sams Club wall mount which was also EXCELLENT. The picture is stunning.

(Posted on 1/28/12)

Good TV but.... Review by JBowles

I bought the XVT553SV in Jan of 11. Recent internet upgrades has brought me here to post a review. Like many others have mentioned, the picture is bright, clear and overall unsurpassed. Set up is a breeze and internet connectivity couldn't be easier. My problem lies with the remote. My remote has the QWERTY keyboard slide out. After 4 months of ownership, the remote quite working. We don't use our TV/remote for Facebook, in fact, we can't think of anytime we used the QWERTY keyboard other than initial setup. The remote design is terrible and a short of some type has developed when the remote is open and closed. Needless to say, my remote required significant effort to close and retain functionality. Once closed, and functional, the remote was taped shut. If recent internet upgrades had not required me to un-tape the remote to access the keyboard, I would have forgotten about this. Customer service was absolutely no help, giving me the standard answer off of some pre-developed checklist. "Have you tried replacing the batteries?" I explained the problem over and over, nobody understood. There is a short that develops in the remote. Search the internet, you'll find more cases of this happening. Overall, I love the TV but the remote is absolutely abysmal and customer service is unwilling or unfit to help. The only way to access internet aps is through the remote. Hard to do if your remote doesn’t work! An Ipad/phone app needs to be developed.

(Posted on 1/11/12)

Best Choice for Optimum Value and Performance for Investment Review by Tech Xpert

I am a technology expert. Other than the iPhone, nothing has impressed me in the last five years until my exposure to Vizo LED TV's.

This company is top-notch and the product performance is evidence of that.

Having spent many thousands of hard-earned dollars on a variety major brand name TV's over the years, I can tell you from an expert viewpoint that my recent purchase of this item at Sam's Club in Bentonville is the best money ever spent in terms of exceeding expectations for the money invested in a TV.

We currently own state of the art competitive brands with 6 HDTV's in the house, so can tell you first hand do not hesitate to take leap of taith and buy a VIZIO.

The unit I purchased last week is the best value on the planet.

Kudos to VIZIO.

Thank you for saving everyone so much money and delivering a superior product in terms of price/value.

(Posted on 12/16/11)

$1298 Review by T

Bought this 55" television at Sam's Club brand new for $1298. I got the advantage plus membership just for this purchase. Quality is night and day difference compared to my DLP television. It is still on sale for that price, go save yourself $500.

(Posted on 11/21/11)

Great TV Review by Ed

Bought at Costco. It was one of the last ones sold at Costco. Consider myself very fortunate. We only watch HD programs and this TV is marvelous, so clear...great picture. You can see all the freckles amd moles on the actors. Not sorry for paying on the high end for a high quality TV.

(Posted on 10/8/11)

Great Product Review by BJ

We purchased this product in March 2011. We placed the TV in a room which has a large south facing sliding glass door and great deal of sun in the AM hours. We do not have any difficulty in viewing the picture. This is the greatest TV we have owned. The internet options are equally as good. Unfortunately, the VUR10 remote failed in June 2011. VIZIO has been outstanding with their customer service assistance in replacing the remote.

(Posted on 8/21/11)

Love it! Review by Lee

Purchased XVT553SV 55” TV at Sam’s Club along with the VSB210WS Sound bar. I also purchased the VBR122 Blu-ray player from WalMart. I could not be happier with my new Vizio set up. I have it installed in a very bright room and the image is crystal clear even during the day. I love the quality and features Vizio has put into their products, and at a very competitive price. I have heard rumors that Vizio is about to release an Android based VIA tablet in the near future. I was just about to buy a tablet, but now I plan on waiting for the Vizio Tablet. I have been a Sony fan for years, but now I am a hardcore Vizio fan. Keep up the good work Vizio.

(Posted on 6/16/11)

55 lcd with apps Review by buzzy

Bought 55 2 weeks ago,Set up was breeze.GREAT PIC.Read comment above about vizio light,Said he would tape over it..Go to menu and turn light off.Great tv

(Posted on 5/22/11)

Excellent Review by MadDog

This is a great HDTV. The rating of "Best" by cnet was right on the money. Quick and easy setup including Wi-Fi. Unfortunately five weeks after purchase, ligtning ran in on my coaxial from my cable company and fried the cable box and TV. Within a week, Vizio sent a technician and repaired the set by replacing two circuit boards. The customer service and repair service are second to none! I strongly urge you to run your coaxial through a surge protector in addition to the power cord. This would have saved me from having to go a week without a great HDTV. I also use the Vizio souindbar with wireless subwoofer. My wife loves it because there are no speakers on stands and wires coming out of the floor. I also have a Vizio E320ME in my bedroom which is also a great HDTV. I am sold on Vizio!

(Posted on 5/20/11)

Need better techs & limited sound outputs Review by RALPHCM

I purchased an xvt553sv. Set-up was easy, I was watching the tv in less than 20 minutes! Picture is great, even my wife said it was worth every penny.

Replaced a Mitshubishi 52" DLP. This sets picture blows it away!

Wi-fi set-up was a problem. It took a second call to the tech line to get to a compedent person that in turn asked a more senior tech to identify my problem. It was my router, that had to be reset, and not a firewall that prevented the internet connection the 1st tech insisted on.

Also, the audio outputs for connecting to my stereo system DO NOT have sufficient output
drive my old fasion RCA connector inputs. For some reason, Vizio assumes that people will either buy their sound bar or have an audio system with HDMI connections.

(Posted on 5/19/11)

hook the tv to a computer Review by rj

Don't be a slave to the apps the tv comes with. Be a master of your own domain and connect a desktop to a wireless keyboard, mouse and wireless usb wifi adapter and stop the bitching and wining!

(Posted on 4/26/11)

Excellent choice Review by gadgetgal

Just bought a 55" Vizio XVT553SV TV from Sam's Club online, paid for set-up, delivery was free... great deal! My hubby has macular degeneration, and this is great for him, Perfect Quality!!! My only wish is that they had more widgets, like one for MLB.com which we subscribe to... Hint, Hint.... I see that other other companies have it installed on their TV... so hopefully it is a matter of time... Love Netflix, Just warms my heart that my DH can continue to watch TV... I would recommend this to anyone, and those who have low vision.
gadgetgal

(Posted on 4/18/11)

awesome Review by Joe

Recently purchased an xvt553sv. Set-up was easy, I was watching the tv in less than 20 minutes! Picture is great, even my wife said it was worth every penny. Wi-fi set-up was a snap. Replaced a Mitshubishi 55" dlp. This sets picture blows it away!! Cnet was right on the money with the review. Only bad thing was the delivery. Bought from Sears and was shipped to my house by an outside (not Sears) trucking firm. Gave me a delivery window and came 1 hour after. Lost a half days pay waiting when I didn't have to. Refused to waive the fee, or even discount it, and offered no excuses.

(Posted on 4/14/11)

TV, Blu-Ray and Sound Bar Review by Copa

I purchased the XVT553SV 55” TV, the Vizio VBR334 Blu-ray and the VSB210WS Sound bar (bought the wireless router also, not installed yet) yesterday and got it all installed in no time at all. Picture is great, sure know what I was missing on the Blu-ray and the sound bar enhances the whole effect. The picture on the TV is incredible, replaced a rear projection 46 inch, wow what a difference. The sound bar linking gave me a bit of trouble, directions are scant, but got it working. Turn down the TV sound, to zero, it makes a big difference. I would recommend this set up for anyone.

(Posted on 3/28/11)

WOW Review by C1

just got from costco for husband. watched the movie Salt and all I can say is wow. it was a great experience. great purchase for great price so far.

(Posted on 3/22/11)

Very pleased Review by LenL

I was impressed with how easy it was to set up my Vizio XVT553SV TV. Wait for on screen set up instructions and use only HDMI cables. Connected to Directv and within 15 minutes everything was done. The picture quality is excellent and the wireless Wiifi connection went smoothly. Just know your wireless password!

(Posted on 3/9/11)

Vizio TVs are almost too good to be true Review by t-arch

I have always bought SONY or SAMSUNG tv's and used to think Vizio was just a fly-by-night cheap tv company...I WAS WRONG. I bought this tv after reading CNET's review. When a website says that this Vizio is better than Samsung's flagship 9000 series led-lcd AND that website is sponsored by Samsung, it got my attention.

I first purchased Samsung's top-of-the-line 8000 series 3D plasma. It lasted all of 6 days and then the video board fried and it wouldn't even turn on. Did some research and found that that is a common occurence lately. So I decided to shop around and found this tv.

I will admit though that the tv's picture was not very impressive right out of the box. If you download the settings that are on cnet.com's website.....WOW!!! Absolutely breath-taking picture, especially blu-ray's and ps3 games.

Some complaints I've read are not about the picture quality...they are usually about the stand not swiveling, or the lack of turning off the lit VIZIO symbol when the tv is on, or something about the audio quality. Not sure but making an educated guess...i'm assuming these minor things help keep the price down. This tv is so good looking that it should be on a wall mount where possible. The lit VIZIO symbol can be fixed by an inch and a half piece of electrical tape if it is that big of a distraction. And if you're dropping $1700+, there is a very good chance that you won't use the speakers (I haven't even hooked up my tv to my home audio equipment cause i personally think the speakers sound just as good or better than on the flagship Samsung's plasma).

(Posted on 2/14/11)

FAR Better Than Expected (And I Expect A LOT)... Review by Doc

Before I make a major purchase, I always go to ConsumerReports.org to check the ratings and price versus quality. With the QXT553SV, there was no versus - I got both! Excellent quality, a very reasonable price (via Sam's Club - free shipping, too), and some stunning internal capabilities (WiFi connectivities, "widgets", etc.). The setup was fairly straightforward and logical, the screen quality is phenominal, and I do like the variety of input choices (HDMI, composite, even the old multi-pin plugs for the "elderly" computer monitors). I am SLIGHTLY disappointed that they don't have the USB ports up and running (yet) but since one of my inputs to the TV comes from a full desktop used for Windows Media Centre, I'm not all that fussed. It would be nice to be able to upload and update the firmware directly, since I'm a "bleeding edge" kinda guy, but even that's not too much of an issue.

FYI, I do disagree with ConsumerReports.org - I saw both this TV and the competing Sony in the store, and believe that this one is BETTER!

(Posted on 2/9/11)

At last they got it right. Review by 1bigdog

I purchased the tv in Dec. froms Sam's Club. After installing and setting it up there would be no sound when it was first turned on. It would take 5-8 minutes and much fiddling to get the sound to come on. After four (4) calls to the most inept tech. people I have ever encountered Vizio finally sent a repairman to my house. The fourth tech. stated that he was going to speak to a second level tech. who knew more about the tv than he did. Why did it take three calls for the same problem before someone who knew what he was doing was consulted. Finally on 02/03/11 the repairman came to my home and replaced the main control panel. This resolved the problem and now I have wonderful HD TV. Vizio should have better trained tech's and not give their customers so much of a runaround.

(Posted on 2/6/11)

EXCELLENT TV Review by EBBY

I GOT MY TV FROM COSTCO GOOD AND SHARP PICTURE WITH THE GREAT SOUND SYSTEM WITH WIFI ALSO GOOD PRICE FOR 3D SYSTEM.

(Posted on 2/3/11)

By far the best buy. Review by Ralph

My 32" JVC that was 12 yrs old finally bit the dust so I decided to purchase a large screen TV that would fit over my fire place. Vizio's 55" was just perfect.

I went to c net reviews on various TV's, and Vizio was the highest rated one. I wanted a full array LED, and again Vizio was the only one that offered this product at a decent price point.

Purchased the XVT553SV in October. I have e-mailed Vizio several times requesting help with either a setup problem I was having or a Widget down load problem, and they not only responded quickly, but gave me a phone number to call for additional help.

The picture is awesome both on regular TV as well as HD. I will be purchasing another Vizio for my family room in the near future.

Keep up the good work Vizio. You are building customer support the right way.

(Posted on 2/1/11)

Brilliant Display Review by Ltn_Snoopy

Purchased Jan 31, 2011
My old projection screen died after 11 years.
Before buying this TV, I read many reviews. Almost all positive. I was unable to view it in the store before buying, only one of the stores had it in stock and did not have it on display. So I had to "buy it sight unseen". I am so happy with it. Tons of features!

The Internet Widgets add a whole new coolness factor. However most of them are Pay services. No web browser. I even looked at the development kit to make my own widget - it has to be approved by VIZIO, uploaded to VIZIO and are targeted for pay company/services (sounds a lot like APPLE - crap).

As far as the USB ports - they are half enabled for music and pictures only - no video. You have to use the media widget. Hopefully they will continue to expand this area. Why are there 3 USB ports? If all you can do is view pictures and music. It is a TV not a receiver or picture frame. Why not video? Are there plans to support video? What about other USB devices? Has anyone tried a USB keyboard or a Mouse.

(Posted on 2/1/11)

Awesome television Review by Quorthon

This television is absolutely amazing, I watch alot of movies and I play alot of games online through my PS3. This tv has superb picture quality and is also terrific for gaming (no lag at all, very quick reponse especially in first person shooters) You will not find a tv that does what this one does for the price. I have returned two different televisions in the last two months ( one a Samsung, the other a Panasonic) There was either a picture quality issue or connectivity issues and problems with online gaming. The Vizio xvt553 has none of those and I couldnt be happier. Those that are thinking about this set , go ahead and try it, you wont be disappointed.

(Posted on 1/29/11)

This Tv is the best tv we have had . The picture quality is unbel viable. It is a lmost like watching a 3-D picture on some of the programming. We love it and can;t wait for our friends who love tv to see what they are missing. We couldn't believe Review by stu

We lov e the new 55 lnch Vizio. We are amazed at the difference ln the sharpness of the
picture and the sound is wonderful. Of all the tv's we looked at we liked this one the
best In the stores it is hard to judge picture quality. But the picture stood out crystal
clear. And the best thing , when we hooked it up at home. It was unbelieveable.
My wife was hooked. line and sinker. Boy Hawaii 5 0 waves are the best. Like
being there. Thanks, Vizio for such wonderful affordable quality.

(Posted on 1/25/11)

Excellent Review by Astro

Picked up the XVT553SV at Costco for a very fair price (significantly lower that the name brands). To me, it looked like the best or very close to the best they had on display. Costco must have had about ten of the same size or close to it on the floor. I got it home and "test drove" it on several HD channels and could not wipe the smile off my face. I was very impressed with the deep blacks, the colors, and the clarity of the picture. I hooked up my 12 megapixel Nikon Camera and could not have been happier. Then a few days later got a blu-ray. Everything looks FANTASTIC ! I don't see how anyone could not be very happy with this TV. Whether you pay MSRP or get a good price, you will love the TV.

(Posted on 1/21/11)

Couldn't be happier! Review by ExTex

We bought this TV to replace an old rear-projection (CRT-type) TV, and the difference is simply amazing! The image is so sharp and crisp, on some shows it almost looks like it's 3D (I know; it's not, but it's really good!) The full LED backlighting gives awesome contrast for all but the most difficult of image situations, and even then it's still pretty darned good! Playing BluRay DVDs on this with movies that were made for true HD is awesome.

I had a little trouble connecting to the Internet, but I found out the ethernet switch I was using was bad. I replaced it, and the problems went away. Once connected, setting up the apps was easy.


Even the sound from the built-in speakers is surprisingly good! Our old TV had 3" midrange and 6" woofers, and the sound from this set is nearly as good. Not quite as good with the bass, but still quite acceptable. Of course, for the best results from motion picture audio, I use our 5.1 system, but for "normal" watching, the built-in sound is fine.

Vizio has already downloaded a fiemware update and moved the Apps bar from the side to the bottom. That is a definite improvement. I haven't explored for any other changes yet, but hopefully thay will have enabled the USB ports for flash drive viewing!

It's a great TV, and we're happy we got it!

(Posted on 1/14/11)

WoW! More Features than I thought possible on a TV! Review by MrsB

My husband bought this as a Christmas present for me (and I am sure there was no ulterior motive:) and I had never researched televisions to know what there even was available. I had no idea a television could do everything that this one does!
This is the 3rd or 4th Vizio that my husband has purchased, but the other screens are used for his offices at home and work.
I have blockbuster, netflix, hulu, twitter, facebook, rhapsody, yahoo, etc.. on my TV! I did not even know that this was possible. I have a 55" computer screen in my den!
I have never been more pleased with a picture, also. Most of the larger screens show fuzzy outlines during rapid movement. This screen does not have a perfect "Plasma" picture, but it is the closest I have seen.
This is also a light screen for all practical purposes. About 75 pounds so 2 people can easily install it on the wall without paying for expensive installation.
I Love My Vizio. It is MORE than I ever expected.

(Posted on 1/11/11)

Great!! Review by Dan San

I got our Tv on black Friday, installed it on saturday. The picture is GREAT! This is our third Vizio in the past 3 years.

(Posted on 1/10/11)

I'm a Believer! Review by LindaLou

My husband and I have been wanting to get an HD TV for 2 or 3 years, but have been waiting for prices to come down and researching the different types. I still wasn't sure if we should spring for a new TV when we bought the VIZIO XVT553SV, but WE'RE SO GLAD WE DID!!

The picture is absolutely amazing, and the sound is great, too! And the price was a great deal! We bought ours at Sams Club online as a Christmas present to ourselves in mid-December. When our kids came home for Christmas, they were also amazed and impressed with this TV.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that we were watching a 31 inch standard television before buying this Vizio, so the difference in picture size and quality is very stark for us. It was easy to connect to my wireless network, and to hook up most of our stuff. Love the remote and everything about this TV, except that it might be nice if the stand would swivel.

This is our first Vizio product. But it's made me a believer!

(Posted on 1/7/11)

Excellent Review by Rich

This TV has the best picture quality of ANY set I have seen. The absolute great HD quality convinced me to buy it in Oct of 2010 and I have not been one bit dissatisfied yet. The only thing I would like to see is the three USB ports activated for use.
Other than that, you cant go wrong with this TV. I have received outstanding comments from everyone who has seen this in my home.

(Posted on 1/6/11)

WOW! Review by chito

first of I did alot of comparison and I was patient in waiting for the right time and price finally I purchsed my vizio used from sams for $1089. wish in my case was a still because I was gonna purchase it at $1490 but when I found out wish store caried it ,well it went up $150 over night Its not up yet but I did connect it temporarly let me tell u that wow the picture quality so awsome i have comcast wish I dont like. But hd its unbelievable clear and I just cant wait to see sports, but first I have to put it up on my fireplace,, so far all the set up has been verrry ez (a cave man can do it) really u dont have to be a genius to install.. Ive been waiting over a year to get a tv set that the whole family would enjoy.. Cant wait to see avatar in blueray..

(Posted on 12/31/10)

Fantastic Picture - Beats Samsung LED Review by Bluetitus

We returned our Samsung EDGE LED LCD Tv as the picture quality looked "plastic" for lack of a better term. We then did a lot of research and looked at several TV's in the store. This one had by far the best picture. In fact we saw it next to a Samsung 58" plasma and it looked almost exactly the same. From our understanding, plasma is still the "gold standard" for large screen pictures.

The set up was simple and the picture quality is both amazing and perfect! The sound is good as well. Hook up to the internet was made easier by the full keyboard on the slider remote - but the TV would not synch with our WEP security code on our wireless network - so I had so spend a lot of time switching the security for our routers over to WPA.

Overall this is a "5-star" rating.

(Posted on 12/15/10)

Superb! Review by Art

Out of the box it was great. Experimented with adjustments but the only one that improved the picture was an increase in the sharpness setting above the default.

I found a cable shop on-line that sold me a 6 foot 18AWG 15+ GBps HDMI cable for only about $11 that is excellent.

On DISH Hi Def channels I get superb results - haven't tried 1080P sources yet.

The picture is so realistic, on some program material, that objects stand out from each other in such etched relief that it gives a 3D effect with depth perspective.

(Posted on 12/15/10)

More than I expected Review by Cody

My expectations where completely blown out of the water!!!! This TV is simply AWESOME. I already had a HDTV, but when our bedroom TV went out we took the opportunity to upgrade our living room. I really didn't think the jump would be that much different from a Sharp 46" LCD TV (60hz) to a 55" Tru-LED (240hz), but boy was I wrong. The clarity is outstanding and the rich, vibrant colors pop. It is as though the people are literally standing in my living room.
Bluray and VUDU movies took it to a whole other level. Inception on VUDU is highly recommended to experience what this TV has to offer. The apps are easy to use and set up was easy. I had trouble connecting to my wireless account but that was due to my routers settings and not the TV. (My power had gone out some time before apparently and had reset my password and WPA key.) Once I addressed the router the TV connected easily.
The slide out keyboard makes the remote a bit bulky and heavier than typical remotes but it helps it feel sturdier, and the advantages of the full qwerty keyboard far outweigh the added thickness to the remote. I have large hands and am able to use the keyboard with relative ease.
Gaming on the PS3 is completely different. The screen images flow so smooth and I am seeing new details that I haven't previously seen. The only thing that would make this TV complete would be if my wife could get on Skype on the TV. I work away and this is one of a handful of things that she will still have to use the computer for.
So to conclude this review. Carry your expectations as you normally would when buying a new TV and be prepared for those expectations to be completely surpassed. I am completely satisfied with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone in the market.

(Posted on 12/15/10)

Great! I love it! Review by Dan

For the last several years, we've had a Toshiba rear projection 52", and it was excellent - for its time! Times change, though, and new technology has overtaken the old.

I just finished setting up my new XVT553SV, and I am pleased to say it has met or exceeded all my expectations! The picture, even with the factory-default settings, is outstanding. I was able to improve it for my viewing conditions and preferences even more by "fine-tuning" it using the very easy and intuitive menus. Even though it's not a 3D TV, certain types of images are so crisp and clear as to give an excellent illusion of depth.

The sound is very good, as well. I researched my purchase choice extensively, visiting several brick-and-mortar stores to try different makes and models. So many of the current crop of TVs seem to expect you to add a sound bar or other external sound system as a matter of course, and skimp on the internal audio components. This Vizio has very acceptable audio quality: sure, it can be improved upon by the addition of several hundred dollars worth of equipment, but it's just fine for casual viewing, just the way it is.

My only squawks, and they're very minor, is two-fold. First, the manual makes no mention of the location of the power cord connection on the unit. Yeah, I know, it's fairly easy to find on the back of the TV, but still... Also, there seems to be no mention of the recommended way to use the safety cable that is included with the set. My particular setup doesn't need it, but for those that might benefit from its use, it would be nice to have some hints.

One final question: the three USB ports are "reserved for future use". When will this happen? I would love to be able to plug in a flash drive with vacation pictures and videos, or with a playlist of my music, or even with a movie I might have. Bring it on, guys!

These (very!) minor matters aside, I am extremely happy with my choice of the Vizio XVT553SV. I don't think I could have made a better choice.

(Posted on 12/13/10)

Awesome Picture Review by eccoman

Well, I've had the XVT553SV for two days now and the picture is just awesome. I'm coming from a rear projection 55" JVC that did what it could for the last several years, but it was time to make the move to the latest technology. I had been going back to Costco every other day, as they could not keep this TV in stock. I finally picked one up on Friday of this week.

Had one problem finding the MAC address for the TV, but after digging around in the menus, I finally found it. I needed the MAC address, because I use MAC filtering with my router. The off angle picture shows no visible light falloff that I can see. I'm going to pickup a Blue Ray DVD player next week and see what all the fuss is about.

I'm watching Sunday Night Football and definitely can see what 240HZ can do for sports actions. I have zero blur and when they show instant replay, it's like I'm at the game the picture is so clear. Later tonight I'll watch my first movie from VUDU. I would highly recommend this TV to anyone who wants the latest technology and a great picture at a reasonable price.

(Posted on 12/13/10)

Amazing Review by Mbart36

This Vizio TV rocks! Beautiful display, easy operation and VIA Internet apps are awesome. Also purchased the VIZIO soundbar and Router, Planning on purchasing the VIZIO Blu-Ray player to complete my Vizio Home Theater. Great product for a great price with the performance of the much more expensive brands!

(Posted on 12/12/10)

Best Picture I've Ever Seen Review by di

My husband and I were at Costco looking at TV's and were talking to one of the employees about which tv we should get. We knew that Sony's were good, but when we compared the picture and the features, we went with the 55" Vizio. Easy to set up and when the picture came on, we were floored. Since then, everytime we watch tv, football, movies, etc., we are amazed at the quality of the picture. We have decided we don't really need to go to the movies all that often anymore since we have an awesome picture and surround sound (and a really comfy couch). Don't regret spending what seemed like a lot of money at the time for such a quality performer. I don't usually do reviews of products, but have enjoyed this tv so much I thought it was well worth my time.

(Posted on 12/4/10)

Wow, Best picture ever. Colors perfect. Wow! Review by crazy carol

Every thing that has been said, is true and then some. We compared as well, and found this to be the best picture ever.

(Posted on 11/30/10)

Wow...and I'll say it again...WOW!!! Review by BDPalace

I first started looking at the VIZIO XVT series last winter. I called, e-mailed and did everything I could to get my hands on one of them through the VIP program. However, it seems that everyone else had the same idea and I had to do without.

Fast forward 10 months and my old 52" DLP is taking a nose-dive so it's time to get back into the search. I found this TV online and available at my local Wal-Mart...or so I thought. It appears there is a glitch in the Wal-Mart inventory system that doesn't accurately track what is on-hand. Upon arrival, I was told they don't carry the XVT's at that particular store but they would be more than happy to sell me one of the M-series. NO WAY! I was dead set on the XVT with VIA. They checked the inventory of stores within 75 miles and found a store that had 6 in stock only an hour away. Road Trip!

My wife and I got the TV, beat the rain home and I was up and running within 30 minutes of getting it in the door. We both sat there, jaws agape, mesmerized by the picture quality. (You see, we hadn't actually seen one on display...I had only read about them and did some comparison shopping so this was a hold your breath and hope for the best). WOW. It exceeded ALL expectations. Her Dad came to visit over Thanksgiving and we watched the Prince of Persia to which he remarked, "It almost looks 3D." Yep, it's that clear.

Needless to say, we were hooked without even checking out the VIA. But, once we got in and re-started our Netflix subscription, we were overly impressed once again. We found that accessing the on-demand was so easy, our 9 year old had mastered it within a couple of hours and there were a slew of movies available to him at his beck and call. Too cool. To further illustrate the impact of VIA, we went out and purchased a VIZIO BlueRay DVD player with VIA the following Monday so we could access the Netflix from our bedroom. Honestly, I'd been angling for a new BlueRay player for a while, but once my wife got a taste of the VIA, it was an easy sell.

Bottom line: This is an incredible technology bundle that has greatly enhanced our television viewing experience. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone.

(Posted on 11/29/10)

Just Wonderful!!!!!! Review by Ed

I bought this set with an impulse at Sams. Like so many others I am very glad. This is my 4th Vizio, but this TruLED technology from Vizio is something else. More bang for the buck. Picture, sound and life is so much more beautiful. I changed from a Hitachi LCD about 6 years old (so many problems with lamps) and that HD compared to the Vizio XVT553SV is like a veggie burger to a Whopper! Thanks Sams for a LED Vizio - a great set for a superb price. No regrets.

(Posted on 11/29/10)

Can't Wait! Review by MJ

Just ordered this after a lot of thought and research. I am chomping at the bit and I am expecting delivery next week. This was a great online shopping experience, I saved hundreds vs the local Big Box stores.

(Posted on 11/28/10)

New TV Review by Carl

Two years ago I spent over $4000 on the top of the line Sony Brava. It worked great for 11 months. Then it started to have issues. One after another. Finally, my current estimate is $2700 to fix it. Out the door it went and I purchased the Vizio 55 inch. Works great out of the box. Not sure what people mean when they talk about calibration. Now I am off to the store for my Vizio Blu Rey player to replace another Sony product.

(Posted on 11/28/10)

Amazing Picture! Simply Amazing! Review by Josh

I got this TV from Sam's in a Black Friday deal for $1495. I was considering this or a Samsung 6300 LED LCD. I was at first slow to accept Vizio as a good brand but I got a 32" ECO 1080P for the bedroom and it was impressive to say the least. My living room had a 46" Sony Bravia 720p. The Sony is still fine but with the new house the 46" was a little small in the living room. Found a great black friday deal with no interest financing. The wife picked it up for me as a surprise and I am so amazed!!

The TV is amazing. The picture is absolutely gorgeous compared to my old Sony!! It just blows it out of the water. My first impressions were that it was just more natural than my Sony. My Sony had a problem with red push as the reds were overly intense and tended to take over an area. This TV had no problem with th bright orange in Boise St's jersey.

The other thing that really impressed me was how good the picture looked during the football game. No artifacting or motionblur at all! It flows perfectly. The large green field used to give my Sony fits and the screen uniformity would suffer tremendously. The Vizio handled it with no problem. It was like looking out a window at the luxury box!

The internet apps are great. They were like an added bonus as I wasn't to up to date on how they worked. The first one I played with was Netflix. I put an HD movie In my queue (National Geographic: Great Migrations). It blew my socks off!! There is a scene with a large migration of crabs. It is literally the best picture I've ever seen on a tv, and it was streaming off a wireless internet connection. Simply amazing!!!

The remote is... love/hate. I love the slide out keyboard. Having a full qwerty keyboard makes the apps super easy to use and navigate. It also helped with all the setup settin input names and what not. The sliding feature could use some work though. It does feel like it wants to slide out when you are just changing channels or adjusting the volume. Not a deal breaker for me at all though as I use the Logitech Harmony remote anyway. I'll just keep the Vizio remote to the side for teh keyboard! :)

Overall I give it 9.5 of 10 stars. Its obviously not perfect but its most definitely the best picture I've ever seen in a tv. I am so happy with my purchase! I would do it ten times over!!

(Posted on 11/27/10)

I Love my new T.V. Review by Amy

This T.V. is awesome. My husband and I looked for a year trying to decide what we wanted to replace our 55" Projection HD T.V. with. We both just love our new Vizio.
I was so amazed with the picture quality that I actually starting watching the commercials.
The apps are alot of fun. I hope they keep adding more.

(Posted on 11/27/10)

The Best! Review by kyancey53142

This is simply the best American made product you can buy! And it's less expensive than the Chinese made Japanese crap (yeah, I'm talking about you, Sony). I spent more time researching and researching on this T.V. than I did for a car, and the car was considerably more expensive! My advice to you, get off your but and go buy a Vizio XVT553SV and enjoy it.

(Posted on 11/26/10)

Saying O' My God Alot Review by Mac

All I have to say is O' My God. I get sucked in to the picture and can't tell is on TV it feels like your really there. Even a 480i TV show from the 70's I fell like its really there. Picture is just awesome crisp clear real!!! Paired VHT510 and I swear I'm really there. If teetering between vizio and other brand go for the vizio the comparable samsaung was $3000 and did not look as good. The sony just forget it looked like my 4 year sony that was hastily bought and no comparison. Just buy it you will like it. Have had good luck with vizio before but this has made me a vizio fan for life. Just Amazing... Amazing

(Posted on 11/25/10)

Freaking <3 my xvt553sv!!! Review by Blister1972

I have no idea why I wanted to go bigger than the 32" I was playing the Xbox 360 on, but I am obsessed with my new Vizio xvt553sv with VIA apps.

It is so sweet to be able to watch cable or Blu-ray, and then track my firends on Xbox live, tweet with Twitter, on listen to tunes with Rhapsody.

What a great set, and I haven't even had to mess with calibrating it, as it is gorgeous out of the box and hanging on our wall. :)

The heck with Sharp and Samsung. My VIA set is AWESOME!!! Buy 1 or 2 for yourself soon!

(Posted on 11/9/10)

Excellent Review by Rachael

I did lots of research also before purchasing this tv. It is well worth the money. Now I own 4 vizio tvs, 2 vizio bluray players, 1 vizio soundbar w/ sub and about to purchase the vizio router and everything works perfectly. I am forever a Vizio fan.

(Posted on 11/7/10)

Excellent value Review by brian

I did a lot of research before buying this TV. I am so glad I did. Quite simply the best value out there. picture and features are awesome!

(Posted on 10/17/10)

Remarkable value - great purchase Review by Matt

Overall, the TV is simply unbeatable. There are plenty of technical reviews going through contrast ratio comparisons, technology comparisons, etc. I won't add to that dialog. One thing that is missing out there, in my opinion, is the "what does it look like in real life comparison." Here is where I think the Vizio simply nails it, as does LED-LCD as a technology.

How many of us have dedicated home theater rooms? Do you block out 100% of the sunlight streaming through windows on Sunday football days? Is the lighting "just so" to ensure that there is no glare against the screen? I know some people do that, and they probably already have their Kuro along with special componentry.

That said, I think very few do. I have a Kuro Plasma and a predecessor to the Panasonic G line plasma. They were both rated tops in their day, and both give excellent pictures under the right conditions. Those conditions, frankly, are rarely met. I get so much reflection from glass plasma screens, even from simple houselights (much less the sun sneaking through my levolor blinds) that it really compromises picture viewing. It ends up nothing like the ideal, and nothing like the experience in the store.

So, LCD is a better technology for the bright picture, right? LED should be even better with the dynamic dimming. True, true. And there are many exceptional pictures out there. From looking in the stores over the past months, and seeing them in theater rooms, I'd say these now rival Plasma for the purists (I'm sure there will always be a reserve that long for the days of Plasma, citing a softness in the way some today wax nostalgic for records over CDs ... I'll stick with the science and what I can discriminate on in my own personal experience on that issue). That said, most of the LED LCD manufacturers have botched it by designing reflective coatings, leaving shiny surfaces approaching those of the plasmas. This is a huge deal. It may be great marketing, and great for the showroom. But take it home and your new bright picture will still be fighting an ever brighter room light or the Sun. It will lose, and so will your eyes.

What impresses me so much about the Vizio is the attention to detail they've shown on the ownership experience, vs. the showroom experience. Don't get me wrong - the TV is beautiful in the showroom. Under ideal circumstances, next to my plasmas, I actually prefer the Vizio picture. It's a gorgeous picture, and it sizzles with clarity and color depth in a way that exceeds the plasmas. Motion in the football game was smooth - as smooth as my plasma, from what I could tell (and here, again, there may be a scientific way to discriminate, but I can't see it). This is coming from someone who had completely expected the opposite - that the plasmas would hold bragging rights there. But take it into the living room, and watch TV during the mid-day desert sun in California, and you will immediately wonder why you didn't own something like this earlier. It is a *quantum* upgrade in the viewing experience. Nothing comes close. Sony has a few that have matte finishes, but I believe they are regular LCDs; their LED models appear glossy. And overall, the bright-light performance of the picture dispaly in tandem with the matte finish is spectacular. I'm reminded of picking up a Kindle for the first time after trying to read an iPad in the middle of a beach at mid-day sun (if you haven't tried this, give it a shot; it's wild).

And it goes beyond the viewing. The remote QWERTY keyboard, the thoughtful setup instructions, the packaging, the default settings. Yes, there are buzzwords, too - like surround sound, etc. But to my mind most features can be replicated (e.g., external stereo system), and most statistics end up not mattering; the key is the core performance.

I'm not a frequent product reviewer (this will be the second of my lifetime), though I'm a voracious consumer of reviews and product buying data before making a purchase. I've spent months agonizing over this, and felt nervous to buy given this product has fewer reviews (and many of them are on the vendors' site, which I implicitly mistrusted). I'm *tremendously* glad I ended up with Vizio.

(Posted on 9/28/10)

Unbelievable picture Review by NJ

My jaw drops sometime even when watching commercials I would never watch. the picture is stunning. this competes with Samsung Led's for sure. 3 inches in depth is excellent too. When you turn off the ambient sensor lighting with MOVIE settings it's unbelievable.

5 stars. I've yet to try the internet apps as my condo is having some issues with connectivity, but can't wait for that!

(Posted on 9/27/10)

Very nice features, controls, performance AND a great value Review by Brian + Julie

I have owned the XVT553SV for about a month and each time I go to watch it a warm 'n fuzzy feeling runs through me about what a terrific buying decision I made.

For four months prior to making the purchase, I was conflicted about pulling the trigger on buying a Panasonic plasma, Samsung LED-LCD or plasma, or Sony LED. I thoroughly researched them then I exhaustively got to know the ins and outs of those products at a local retailer. The big money for these tv’s was also a major obstacle – even when they were on sale. I just could not see myself parting with that sort of dough because I was nowhere near convinced that they were reasonably priced. And the more I looked at them the more I felt myself wanting for something more… something a bit different. I kept telling myself there had to be a comparable solution in another brand. That’s when I came across the VIZIO XVT553SV.

By any stretch of the imagination, I am not an impulse buyer. I do not buy the latest and greatest of anything, whether it’s an auto, clothes, cutlery or an alarm clock. I take tremendous pride and patience in researching items then wisely buying things that are very good quality at a fair dime – not things with over, over-inflated prices and the latest trends.

So when I found the XVT553SV, I was pleasantly surprised. The more I examined it the more I liked. The tv has better features and user controls, the design is thoughtful… especially the integrated forward-firing speakers. The VIA internet apps with auxiliary menus are nice added touches and the small icon that appears on the screen when downloads are complete is very cool – none of the competitors products have these features. I like the balance, feel and layout of the remote, plus the slider compartment underneath with a QWERTY keyboard. Picture quality and overall performance are remarkable. And the best part – it’s all for less money.

So how much do I like this tv? Let’s just say that the grin that’s still on my face sufficiently tells the answer. It’s the bomb because it gives new meaning the word ‘fun’ and enjoying tv entertainment.

(Posted on 9/18/10)

Sony who? Review by Sfon2

I wasn't sure to buy either this Vizio XVT553SV or Sony's top of the line 60" So, after reading reviews & of course with Sony's trade mark of "Sony is NO Bologna", I bought it. After ONLY 2 days with it I was having nothing but software issues! I was on the phone for over an hour with one of Sony's techs & they were clueless! So much for Sony's trademark huh. I decided to take back the Sony & bought the newest & latest Vizio yet the XVT553SV. Not only did it have twice as many better features then the Sony but I saved $800.00 too!!!!! Hands down this is the best LED/LCD on the market today for the price! I'm so happy that I returned the Sony & I would like to THANK Vizio for introducing such an impressive product... THANK YOU! :)

(Posted on 9/17/10)

WOW! This TV will impress Review by Shwartz

After months of reading reviews and shopping around for a new LED TV I am glad I waited for the release of this new VIZIO! The picture is crystal clear with eye popping whites and black levels. What impressed me the most was the price. The samsung I had my eye on was $800 more and did not have as many features as the Vizio model. I put in Avatar and it was like watching the movie for the first time. My wife could not believe how everything looked like you were actually in the movie itself. My last TV was a 55 inch Pioneer rear projection hdtv that is now about 7 years old. The picture on my old Pioneer does not even compare to my new Vizio. This is my second Vizio, I purchased a 32" lcd for a spare bedroom a bout 6 months ago and have been really impressed with this brand. I was skeptical at first and have always purchased only the expensive recognized brands in the past. With TV's like this it will not be long before Vizio is up there in name recognition with Samsung, LG and Sony. If you are looking at the set I highly recommend it.

(Posted on 9/8/10)

Great TV so far. Review by Jessie

Got one of these at my local Costco. It replaced a HD set we purchased about 6 years ago. So we went from rear projection 720p to this new Visio 1080p. Honestly there is a big difference don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not to mention that this new TV was exactly $1000 cheaper than the one I bought 6 years ago.

Being able to watch stuff off the net directly from the TV without a computer is awesome. Honestly I didn't even think about that as being a feature when I purchased it. Now that I have it in the living room it makes me wonder why we ever did without that feature. Now all that it needs is native YouTube support. I'm sure it will happen soon. iTunes integration would also make this a killer product, oh well I suppose I will have to settle for the new cheaper apple TV.

The remote has cool factor but it is not comfortable to type with, at the same time being able to just type in what you want puts this remote leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

LEDs no lamp... I had another brand and whenever that lamp went out I had to put down almost $200 for a new one. This set will pay for itself over time.

If you are on the edge about buying this I would just ask you, what size can you afford? Really I wish I had the money for a larger set, but you can't go wrong with this TV. The price is so low it makes it a no-brainer. My TV is 15 feet from my couch and I can still see a massive improvement over my old TV.

(Posted on 9/2/10)

Fantastic! Review by cawgijoe

I've had this TV for about a week now. I have been looking at 52 - 55" LCD TV's for a couple of years now and knew that I wanted a fully LED backlit set with local dimming as this is currently the pinnacle of LCD technology and would give me the best picture quality. There are very few sets being made this year with this technology. Sony has the HX909 which is very expensive and includes 3D which I was not really interested in. Samsung does not have a single set using this. So it came down to LG and Vizio. The LG has received excellent reviews but had two problems that I was having a hard time with. It has a mirror-like screen....very reflective, so you have to make sure to control your lighting. It's also hundreds of dollars more expensive than the 553.

I was hoping to see a professional review first on the Vizio before taking the plunge, but bought it anyway when it came out at Costco. I don't regret buying this set for one minute! It looks great. All black. Thinner than the previous models. I calibrated it using the Spears & Munsil blu-ray disc and the picture is incredible.

Since I've had the set, Cnet has come out with a very favorable review and I've further tweaked the settings using their suggested settings.

This set is a tremendous bargain for what you get.

Of course nothing is perfect and personally I would like to have the ability to have additional tweaking controls even though there are plenty and a swivel stand would be nice. Also, minor ding and this applies to all the manufacturer's, not just Vizio, please use matte or flat finishes on your bezels. Glossy bezels may look nice, but they can detract from the picture.

Beautiful set. Great bargain. Thank you Vizio!

(Posted on 8/24/10)

Simply wow! Review by Peter

I did a lot of research before buying this TV, and all I can say is Wow! The picture is fantastic, it's so clear and sharp that HD shows almost seem like 3D. Full array backlighting with local dimming is the best combination out there, and this TV has it all. Love the Internet apps, would like to see more memory added so I could enable more widgets, but what a minor thing. Plenty of inputs, optical output, full QWERTY keyboard in the remote. Puts out almost no heat, unlike plasmas that can roast you. This has to be the best value for the money on the market, I would highly recommend this unit if you want real in-home theater.

(Posted on 8/20/10)