Big Picture Big Sound

In recent years, WalMart has been making a play to dominate the consumer electronics market.  Leveraging their volume-driven negotiation power to drive low prices even lower, WalMart is loading up their shelves with inexpensive HDTVs in response to seemingly endless consumer demand for flat panel sets.

And now they're the first to offer the latest plasma HDTVs in Vizio's 2008 line at remarkably low prices: $477 for a 32-inch model (VP322) and $747 for a 42-inch model (VP422).  These are not top of the line 1080p sets, but in these screen sizes the 720p native resolution and respectable black levels are more than adequate for producing a pleasing high definition image.

At CES in January, VIZIO announced that the VP322 32-inch set (the only plasma HDTV of this size in the United States) would sell for $679 and the 42-inch VP422 would sell for $999, but now that they're available, they've actually lowered the suggested list prices significantly - $649 list for the 32-inch model and an unheard of $799 list for the 42-inch model.  Take into consideration WalMart's "everyday low pricing," and these flat panel HDTVs become true impulse purchases at $477 and $747 each. 

Detailed specs on the VP322 are available here and specs on the VP422 are included below.

Find Out More or Purchase These Items at WalMart.com:

• Vizio VP322 32-inch Plasma HDTV at Walmart.com  (currently $437)
• Vizio VP422 42-inch Plasma HDTV at WalMart.com (currently $697)

VP422 Specs from Manufacturer(VP422HDTV10A):

• High Definition TV formats supported: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i
• 30,000:1 contrast ratio
• Digital HDTV, digital cable & standard TV combination tuner
• Computer monitor (RGB) up to 1360 X 768 WXGA resolution
• Wall mounting capable
• Typical lamp life of 60,000 hours, equivalent to 27 years @ 6 hours per day viewing.
• 1x RF, 1x RGB, 3x HDMI, 1x Component, 1x Composite, 1x, S-Video Inputs
• 2x Built-In 10-watt Speakers
• Size: 42 inches (viewable 42.32 inches diagonal
• Tuner: Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
• Native Panel Resolution: 1024 x 768
• Supported PC Resolutions: 1366 x 768, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600
• Panel Specifications: Anti-Static and hard coated surface
• Pixel/Dot Pitch: 0.9 (H) mm x 0.676 mm (V)
• Signal Compatibility: 480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
• Colors: 16.7 million
• Brightness: 1,500 cd/m2 (typical)
• Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1 (typ)
• Viewable Angle: 178° (horizontal and vertical)
• Inputs
  • RF (F Connector for internal tuner): 1
  • HDMI with HDCP: 3
  • Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1
  • Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio: 1
  • Composite Video: 1
  • S-Video plus Stereo Audio: 1
  • Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio: 1
  • Service Port: 1
• Outputs
  • Analog Audio out (RCA): 1
  • 5.1 SPDIF Digital Optical Audio: 1
• Additional Information
  • V-Chip
    3D Comb Filter
  • 3:2 or 2:2 Reverse Pull-down
  • ATSC with 8VSB & QAM demodulation
  • ATSC with MPEG-2 decoding
  • NTSC Video decoding via RF: Yes, thru Antenna, Cable, or Satellite
  • NTSC Video decoding via Video: Yes, thru CVBS, S-Video, or Component
  • Progressive Scan Video: Yes, thru Component YPbPr, VGA or HDMI
  • HDTV: Yes, thru HDMI or Component YPbPr
  • Computer: 640x480, 800x600,1024x768, 1360x768 via VGA or HDMI
  • Sound enhancement: Yes
  • Color Temperature: 6500K (standard), 5400K and 9300K
  • Color Fine Tuning: Independent Red, Green and Blue
  • Audio: Built-in 10W x 2
    Lamp (LCD) / Panel (PDP) Life: 60000 hours
  • Power: IEC Connector for direct power line connection
  • Voltage Range100 ~ 240 Vac at 50/60 Hz
  • Power Consumption: 350W average
  • Certifications: CSA CSA-US, FCC Class B
  • Removable Base
• Weight
  • Net: 62.9 lbs
  • Without Stand: 58.5 lbs
• Dimensions
  • Carton: 46.5" W x 33.3" H x 14.8" D
  • With Stand: 41.0" W x 28.1" H x 10.3" D
  • Without Stand: 41.0" W x 26.5" H x 3.7" D