Manufacturers of plasma and LCD flat panels have been duking it out in the 42-inch+ screen size market for the last few years. And while LCD technology has made advancements in picture quality, plasma hasn't exactly been standing still. LCDs tend to be brighter while plasmas tend to have better contrast and better black level reproduction. The battle rages on.
Meanwhile, in the medium-sized screen market, LCD technology has had no challengers. That's about to change as VIZIO has announced plans to introduce a 32-inch plasma HDTV to the United States as early as this spring. And while other VIZIO models have traditionally been available at the warehouse stores such as Costco and BJs as well as Circuit City, the first place to carry the VIZIO 32-inch plasma will be a "discount retail chain," which all evidence suggests means Wal-Mart. Yep, Wal-Mart. "I'll take a 6-pack of beer, some pork rinds, and oh, hey, how about one of those plasma TVs as well?"
WalMart does carry a selection of Vizio LCD and plasma televisions today, but I'm a bit surprised that they'll have the VP322 exclusively, at least at first. I'd imagine this will be a hot seller.
At the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics show, VIZIO was showing off new and upcoming models to press, partners and analysts. On display was the VP322 720p 32-inch plasma, designed by VIZIO with a PDP sourced from Korean manufacturer LG. The new model will have a built-in digital tuner, a native panel resolution of 1024x720 pixels and a 16:9 widescreen format (which does qualify as HDTV, per the CEA guidelines). Contrast ratio is rated at 15,000:1 [editor's note: the production version which is now available in May, 2008 actually boasts a contrast ratio of 30,000:1] and the set will feature a generous three HDMI inputs.
The VP322 is expected in stores by June at a list price of $689 but VIZIO reps at CES told me that it will sell for less than VIZIO's current 32-inch LCD models, which means actual street price on the VP322 should be below $600.
UPDATE: The set has arrived in the US, and it's currently on sale at Walmart.com for $437!
