El Segundo (CA) - Vizio, the only one of the top five TV manufacturers that is based in the US, has managed to rise near the top of the market, creating pressure on everyone else.

The latest numbers are in from market research firm iSuppli, and it shows an extremely close race between the top three LCD competitors.

According to iSuppli, there is less than one half of one percentage point difference between Samsung, Sony and Vizio.

Vizio came in third place, a position it has held before, but its margin against consumer electronics giants Samsung and Sony is closer than ever before.

The Irvine, California-based TV maker is known for its low prices, and with increased market share that has caused a price war with other companies.

"Following Vizio’s surprise rise to leadership in the North American LCD-TV market in the second and third quarters of 2007 due to its rock-bottom pricing, Samsung and Sony have struck back with their own cuts and new low-cost sets," said iSuppli analyst Riddhi Patel.

The research firm said that it is no longer just a game of pricing, though.  Most major HDTV manufacturers are incorporating new design and ergonomic features, including colored bezels, rounded edges and touch-responsive on-board controls.

The LCD TV market is expected to continue to grow in North America at a rate of 10% a year through 2012, said iSuppli.

Visio=Disposable

May 07, 2008 12:24     

They are not bad while they work, but try getting parts after warranty. Check out the HD Guru's website. I would not risk my money on one of these.
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Vizo might be based in the US, but mfg done in China

May 07, 2008 12:41     

To the best of my knowledge, Vizo uses contract manufacturers in China to build their sets.
D.Ray report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

viso ...from china to walmart and sams and bestbuy and circuit city.

May 07, 2008 15:38     

yea, it's ok for 1 or 2 year, but I can bet the farm with the low qualify it won't last more than 3. with the price only 5 to 10% cheaper than the name brand competitor, I won't dump my hard earn money on a piece of junk like this. It's OK to buy a $1 cheap screwdriver, it's another story to buy a thousand dollar TV that practically has no support and bad warrente
ha report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

visio.. love her, better than sony that cost 3x as much

May 07, 2008 21:18     

Got a 42" Vizio one week before freinds got their sony. Sony got a burn mark in top left corner after 3 months. Warantee replaced it, but wtf 3 months? I have my pc running through hidef input and it diplays dark areas during games much better than the sony. Both systems are running dual sli 8800gtx's. I paid under a grand for my big ass tv that looks awsome.. ONly complaint is sound, but i have tv running back through cpu speakers so no problem.

GUYSON report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@ha

May 07, 2008 22:59     

Well go spend money on junk over prived sony. I have a Visio 47 inch for 3 years , wait you said they wouldnt make it past 1 year. Also a 50 inch Samsung. guess what Both are still working and very good product.
Pyrosity report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

GUYSON

May 08, 2008 07:30     

Tell us in 3 years if you still feel the same...
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Waiting for OLED

May 08, 2008 09:14     

I would rather wait for when OLED displays and televsions become more affordable. :) http://www.oled-display.net
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

We bought a VISIO because of picture quality and pr...

Jan 11, 2009 00:08     

We bought a VISIO because of picture quality and price over a year ago. Tonight, January 11, 2009, on the basis of looking up information on VISIO, I found out it was made in the good old USA!!! We are now most proud that we stimulated the US economy. Why doesn't VISIO advertise that it is made in the USA? It's a great product, commands a good market share, but is unknown unless a salesperson demonstrates it to you. Let's push USA products!!!

Robert Rulevich report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0