I’ve been contemplating the purchase of a new and larger television for some time. Currently, I have a nice little 22″ HDTV which I do, in fact, like — it’s a good size for my small apartment. However, in talking with some tech minded people lately, it was pointed out that with a small TV like I have, I am probably not getting the “bang for my buck” from my blu-ray DVD player. In addition, as I have been fragging it up lately with my XBox, a larger screen would make it easier to play games, as well as allow me to have a split screen when friends come over.
I mean, we can have a split screen now, but it’d be really tiny.
I’m not looking for some gigantic goliath of a televison — the furniture set up of my apartment utilizes an EXPEDIT Ikea shelf turned on its side as a TV bench. Coupled with an ARTIST brand shelf hanging above, and space becomes a consideration. Also, the living space of my apartment is only about 170 square feet total. So I’ve determined that (keeping in mind the height and width of a specific set) I’m looking for something in the 32″ (minimum) to 40″ (maximum) range, and of course, in 1080p.
One of the HDTV brands I’ve been noticing a lot is Vizio. I’ve never ever heard of Vizio before Black Friday, but their prices are extraordinarily competitive against better known brands like Samsung and Sony.
I emailed a new coworker to ask his opinion — he’s “in the know” on TVs. This was his reply:
Vizio is one of the biggest distributors of hdtvs in the US, they’re really popular because they are generally less expensive. They are pretty good tvs, but the reason that they are cheaper is the picture contrast ratio, which tends to be much lower than Samsung, sharp, or Phillips. Its not really a huge difference in terms of the picture unless you are really paying attention.
So this is, as far as I’m concerned, good news. I’m going to head out to Target tomorrow and see if they have any Vizio televisions on floor display so that I can observe what the TV picture actually looks like (I’ll most likely just buy from Dell*, since I don’t want to lug a TV home on the Circulator), but before I do place an order, does anyone have any first hand knowledge of Vizios? Are they a good buy?
*Home delivery? Interest free for a year? That’s a D-E-A-L!
Working retail, especially during Christmas season, has its downsides.
On the other hand, working retail, especially during Christmas season, has its upsides, too.
Like, for example, my employee discount. Like, to be more specific, the additional discount we receive during Borders’ annual Employee Appreciation event, where for three days, our discount increases from 33% on just-about-but-not-quite-everything to 40% on pretty-much-everything.
This is how I was able to make $377.58 worth of Christmas shopping only impact my wallet to the tune of $226.55. And I had everything wrapped and under the (small & fake) tree only a few hours later.
This is also why I only have $80 combined in my checking account and wallet until next Friday.
Seriously — even if you don’t like Christmas music — this is an awesome and amazing CD, and this video is just ridiculous and crazy. The song itself is like a crazy rock polka, and those in the DC area especially should appreciate the renamed reindeer.
Last night, I left the Bookstore at about 9:30pm. I walked with a coworker in the direction of Farragut North, from where he would board the 42 bus in the direction of his domicile, and from where I would board the Metro to mine (the next L2 was an hour away — no thanks). We said goodbye to each other at the southwest corner of the intersection of L Street and Connecticut Avenue, and I turned right and made my way onto the escalator to the station’s central mezzanine.
There was a woman just ahead of me, with a suitcase to her left. Although I usually walk down the escalators, I wasn’t in a particular rush: I’d checked my Next Train iPhone app and knew I had a ten minute wait.
Halfway down, I became aware of someone rapidly descending the escalator behind me. I half turned and saw a well dressed gentleman hurrying down the steps. Now, you may not be familiar with Farragut North, but it has some of the shortest escalators in the entire system. The one I was one can’t be longer than the average shopping mall-sized version.
He passed me, and barked at the woman, “MOVE!” This, by the way, was so close to the actual end of the escalator that she had already started walking forward. He dashed past her, and I gave the woman a “What a jerk” smile, and followed him.
The bank of fare gates on the mezzanine level are divided by an octagonal manager’s booth. Of the nearest half bank, only one was an in-gate, and lo’ and behold, the well dressed gentleman was standing in front of it, fumbling to get his wallet open.
And I couldn’t resist.
“MOVE!” I barked in the deepest, most aggressive voice I could manage.
And boy did he jump away from that fare gate.
“Thanks!” I smiled at him as I tapped my SmarTrip and passed through.
, and this video is just ridiculous and crazy. The song itself is like a crazy rock polka, and those in the DC area especially should appreciate the renamed reindeer. 