I used to install High Def TV's in college.. high end stuff to pro sports players etc.
Vizio is the best of the "cheap" TV's, they had a lot to do with orginal plasma TVs but didn't have the money to make them, sold the technology. They have been getting better and better every year.
BUT.. you get what you pay for... If you want it to last more then 5 years put the money into a better brand...
Some brands do better then others in certain areas... IE fujitsu in plasmas
but over all you cant go wrong with a Panasonic, Mitsubishi.
Toshshiba, Sony and Samsung make great stuff.. but they make some cheaper version TV's for some stores. You might see a 42 inch in 2 different stores that are two totally different TVs.. so make sure you compare apples to apples.
Also Vizio is made by V Inc, no relation to samsung.. they are actually cut throat competitors.
Olevia often uses LG and Philips parts in their TVs
