VIZIO TVs are increasingly becoming popular, and various factors contribute to this. The primary reason is that they are relatively cheaper than other TV brands with similar features to VIZIO TVs.
VIZIO TVs fill a market niche that serves clients who prefer pristine picture quality without digging too deep into their pockets. The brand offers various TV models, ensuring customers’ needs are met.
These qualities lead one to wonder where these TVs come from, and this article answers that question. Keep reading as we look into where VIZIO TVs come from. Also, we look at whether the company is American or if it belongs to a foreign manufacturer.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
VIZIO was founded in 2002 by William Wang
The name VIZIO has been used since 2004
12% of all TVs sold in the US in 2021 were VIZIO TVs
The first store to sell VIZIO TVs was Costco
VIZIO is based in the US, but the TVs are assembled in several Asian countries (Taiwan, Thailand, China) and Mexico. The internal components are also made abroad (mostly in Asia).
Major companies involved in the VIZIO TV manufacturing process are AmTran, Ruixuan Optoelectronics Technology, Hon Hai Precision Industry (aka Foxconn), BOE Technology, Innolux, and Zylux.
Vizio is moving away most of its manufacturing from China because of the increased political and trade tensions between the US and China
While being cheap compared to others, VIZIO TVs are pretty good and have all the features you can find in Samsung or Sony TVs. The average lifespan of VIZIO TVs is 7 years (if used appropriately)
About VIZIO Inc.
Before identifying where VIZIO TVs are made, let us learn a few things about Vizio Inc., the company.
William Wang founded V Inc. in October 2002 with two employees, i.e., Laynie Newsome and Ken Lowe. The company was based in Irvin, California. The company later changed its name to VIZIO in 2004.
William Wang’s Life Story
Interestingly, Wang wished to name the company “W” after himself but could not since another company was already using the name.
Since its inception, Vizio has made commendable sales that it almost surpassed players who have been in the field for decades.
According to Statista, 12% of all smart LCD TVs sold in the US are made by Vizio. That is phenomenal, especially when we compare it to LG (11% market share) and Sony or Hisense (6% market share). Only Samsung (29%) and TCL TVs (13%) are more popular than VIZIO in the US.
Source – Statista
These sales were possible because VIZIO produces very cheap TVs compared to those available in the market.
Vizio TVs were first stocked by Costco, which expanded selling the TVs from 10 warehouses to 320, then 385 in a few months after the TVs were made available for sale.
Where Are VIZIO TVs Made?
Although Vizio is based in the USA, the TVs are not manufactured there. Instead, Vizio contracts companies in Asia to build and assemble various components of the TV, and the final product is shipped to the United States market.
Initially, Vizio bought the TV panels from producers and relied on AmTran, a Taiwanese company, to assemble the parts for shipping into the US. American is a major Vizio TV components supplier, and it even has shares in Vizio.
Currently, Vizio relies on other companies to manufacture and assemble TV parts. These third-party companies include Ruixuan Optoelectronics Technology and Hon Hai Precision Industry (popularly known as Foxconn).
Other companies responsible for manufacturing Vizio TVs are BOE Technology, Innolux, and Zylux.
Many of these companies are located in Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, and China. However, Vizio is moving away most of its manufacturing from China because of the increased political and trade tensions between the US and China.
The manufacturing companies occasionally change since Vizio strives to find the cheapest manufacturer who can offer the best quality.
Why Are VIZIO TVs So Cheap?
Vizio Inc. ensures their TVs are affordable by lowering the cost of production to the least amount they can. They can achieve this because of various factors, as we shall see.
Vizio TVs are equipped with the most essential and fundamental features and avoid any unnecessary luxurious features.
Vizio also uses contract manufacturers who mass produce various TV components. That means Vizio gets discounts when acquiring these components, further reducing the final TV price.
The relationship between Vizio and the manufacturers also grants Vizio preferential treatment when producing the TV components. So much that some, like AmTran, cater for some expenses considering they are shareholders in Vizio Inc.
Additionally, Vizio also recoups the production costs through selling viewers’ data; hence they earn from the TVs even after they have been sold.
Vizio aims to produce affordable, quality gadgets; therefore, trust them to do anything possible to lower the price. The measures discussed here are only some of the things the company does to achieve its goal.
Comparison between VIZIO and other TV brands
Vizio TVs have all the necessary features that all modern TVs have. They use Smartcast to stream content from services like Hulu and Netflix and have immaculate displays throughout the various TV categories.
When purchasing a Vizio TV, you get value for your money since Vizio offers features that other major players would not offer at the same price point. For instance, while maintaining a fair price, Vizio OLED televisions are Airplay and Chromecast compatible.
But since Vizio relies on various component manufacturers, there might be a lack of uniformity in the final product.
Therefore, if you want a quality TV without straining your budget Vizio TVs are a good choice. But if you do not mind prices and enjoy a TV with all the bells and whistles, consider high-end brands like Samsung.
What are Some of the Best VIZIO TV Models?
Vizio has four main categories of TV models that they refer to as Series. They are all categorized according to their capabilities and the features they have. The categories are Series D, M, P, and V.
Each series has TVs with the same features, but they are different sizes in each series.
The D Series contains TVs that are Full HD and are compatible with Wi-Fi 4 and 5 routers. Screens in the D series range between 24 and 43 inches. The series contains Vizio’s most affordable smart TVs compared to other models. The D32h-J09 is a suitable model in the D series. It is convenient for watching and gaming thanks to the clear picture and minimal input lag of < 10ms @60Hz. The downside is most users have issues with the Wi-Fi connectivity dropping occasionally.
VIZIO D-Series
The V series also has quality models ranging between 40-to-75-inch screens. The TVs support various features like HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. They also support HDMI eARC, and recent models are Wi-Fi 6 compatible. The V755-J04 is a good option for this series. It is a Full Array LED backlight with a 4K UHD resolution.
VIZIO V-Series
TVs in the P series use Quantum color technology which other brands call Q-LED. The P75Q9-J01 has a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of up to 1200 nits, making it a good choice if you wish to purchase higher-end Vizio TVs with more features. These additional features, like an Active Full Array backlight and Active Pixel Tuning, enable it to adjust brightness and color for an impeccable image intelligently.
Notably, different models have different advantages; therefore, choosing the one that fits your needs is up to you.
VIZIO P-Series
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Are Vizio TVs made by Sony?
Answer: Vizio TVs are made by outside contractors and then sold in various markets. The company has no relation to Sony except that they are rivals.
Sony and Vizio TVs might look similar, but different manufacturers produce them. However, companies like Foxconn that produce Vizio TV components also produce equipment for Sony.
Question: Is Vizio an American Company?
Answer: Vizio is an American company that works with various Original Device Manufacturers (ODM) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to produce Vizio TVs.
The companies are based abroad, i.e., in Taiwan and Thailand, producing various TV components. Vizio then works in collaboration with these companies to design the TVs that are eventually shipped to America and stored in warehouses before being distributed to various retailers in the country. Vizio also handles the marketing of these TVs.
Question: How Long Do VIZIO TVs Last?
Answer: VIZIO TVs can last as long as TVs made by other major brands. They have an average lifespan of 7 years if used appropriately in the home.
They last a little shorter if they are always on and are used regularly. In this case, they can last up to two years. However, they have various issues, especially with the operating system.
Some problems include the screen randomly going black, Smartcast failing to connect to the internet, or the TV refusing to power on.
Question: What Other Products Does Vizio Produce?
Answer: Apart from TVs, Vizio also sells soundbars. Vizio has also produced phones, tablets, and computers in select markets. Vizio also made its streaming device that would work with Google TV.
Conclusion
Evidently, Vizio TVs result from genius innovations and a need to produce affordable TVs. The company has come a long way, ensuring clients get quality products at considerable prices. If you are on a budget and want a quality television, then Vizio is the brand for you. But before settling, consider your budget and the features necessary for your preferred TV.
