It seems Walmart has started their own “brand” of electronics called ILO with a DVD recorder for under $150 and a 42" Plasma HDTV-ready television for $1,999 that I have my eye on.
http://www.emergencelabs.com/news/gadgets.asp
The television on display in the store looks fine to me, and in comparing the tech specs with more expensive models, I don’t see any difference.
Has anybody bought an ILO plasma television, or know anything about them?
There’s an article here but you’ll have to become a member to read it.
I’m in the same boat but looking at the Vizio 42" plasma display. Is the Ilo an ED or HD resolution display.
BTW I have the Ilo DVD recorder and no complaints so far. It has a lot of features but is extremely straightforward to use. When these reach $100 I predict the death knell for VCRs.
How much is the Vizio, Padeye?
Just under $2,400 but it has to be ordered from Sam’s Club online so shipping has to be added. I saw one at Costco but only two in one particular store so I don’t know if they’ll still be available.
I don’t know anything about ILO, but I did recently buy a 44" LCD projector HD TV which is only about 12" deep and cost $2,300. Amazing picture, even if you can’t hang ther TV on the wall.
FWIW, the ILO is made by Tatung. (itty-bitty cite)
Tatung’s been around for about 85 years operating in the US primarily as an “OEM” - original equipment manufacturer - selling their goods under the brand name of whoever contracts for the production of their TVs, monitors, refrigerators, etc.
Look for reviews in Tatung plasma TVs. If they’re coming off the same production lines quality and performance is likely to be very comparable.
See
http://www.epinions.com/Flat_Panel_Televisions-Plasma-Tatung
I did a little more research as I’ll be buying soon. The $2k Vizio in Wal Mart is ED resolution, 852x480 so it has to do downsampling to display HDTV pictures. The $2,387 model being sold through Sam’s Club online is 1024x768 resolution. A little less horizonal resolution than the high end TVs but full vertical resolution. It doesn’t come with a wall mount which retails for $250 so by the time I get it shipped and mounted on the wall I’ll be close to $2,850 plus about $200 sales tax.
http://vinc.com/product.asp?ID=70&PID=15&SEQ=2
http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?n=0&oidPath=0%3A-23542%3A-23589%3A-24298%3A-25204%3A877759&coe=0&BV_SessionID=SC_1708881045.1100039896_CS&BV_EngineID=ccddadcmmdgmgeicfkfcfkjdgoodflf.0