CNET just posted their review for the new Westinghouse 47-inch HDTV LCD, the TX-47F30S. BestBuy.com has it listed for $1,500, which is $100 cheaper than Vizio’s current 47-inch LCD. The Westy has 4 HDMI inputs compared with 2 HDMI for the GV47LF. Looks like the new trend is 4 HDMI inputs.
Also of interest is CNET’s comparision of the Westy with the Vizio 42-inch LCD, the GV42LF, for its performance tests. CNET says the Vizio produces better blacks compared with the Westy. However, in the technical specifications, the Westy has a 5000:1 contrast ratio compared with the Vizio’s 1600:1. I guess even a company’s own specs won’t tell the whole tale.
CNET states the main problem with the Westy is again the black levels and screen uniformity–the same problems I experience with the Vizio GV47LF. And the strength of the Westy is color reproduction, which is also the strength of the Vizio. So it looks like the current Vizio and Westinghouse 47-inch 1080p LCDs are close matches. We’ll see if Vizio responds with a price cut or a product refresh.