Vizio now #1 flat panel TV brand = Apex Digital?

[Woochifer]

This news made the rounds the end of last week -- off-brand vendor Vizio is now the biggest selling flat panel TV brand in North America with a 12% market share. An angle that the AP story (and newspaper headlines) jumped on is Vizio's status as an "American" brand surpassing Asian electronics giants Sony and Samsung, even though none of the actual manufacturing is done in the U.S. So far, Vizio has focused on mass merchandising channels like Costco and Wal-Mart.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrAP-nnVKVecO3z2pp5UB1nfwfgw

But, the one aspect of Vizio's operations that jumped out at me was their total workforce of only 85 employees, and a total reliance on outsource partners to provide product. That conjures up flashbacks to Apex Digital. Remember them? They were the off-brand electronics company that rapidly ascended to become the #1 DVD player brand in 2002 and fell off the charts to obscurity just as quickly. The parallels with Vizio are pretty striking. Apex was a $1 billion company with a workforce of less than 100 employees. They outsourced all of their major operations (including customer support), and constantly switched their outsource manufacturing providers depending on who could provide the lowest price (which meant lack of continuity from one Apex model to another). Apex's house of cards fell because their product quality was lousy and the price points for brand name manufacturers soon caught up with Apex.

Is Vizio setting itself up for a similar fall? The price points for the major brands keep on tumbling, and they drop their prices while continuing to maintain continuity with model updates and providing their own aftersales support. Vizio does differ from Apex in the sense that they actively market themselves (even got Ladainian Tomlinson as a paid endorser), and seem to want to build a brand identity. I don't know anything about Vizio's product quality, so we'll see if they can maintain their momentum even as the other name brand HDTVs continue their price declines.

[Rich-n-Texas]

My neice bought her Apex TV at the local Albertson's grocery store about 3 - 4 years ago. I wonder if it still works.

[Smokey]

This news made the rounds the end of last week -- off-brand vendor Vizio is now the biggest selling flat panel TV brand in North America with a 12% market share.

This might be the biggest differenece between Vizio and Apex......Vizio being # 1 in selling TVs, and Apex wasn't.

Apex TVs were just piece of junk and I don't think they captures any significant market share for TVs. I tried one of their TVs, and it didn't take more than five minutes to take it back.

But Vizio seem to be getting good reviews not only from consumers, but from publications also. It might all come down as how they be able to handle after sale follow ups as to keep their reputation intact.

[pixelthis]

This news made the rounds the end of last week -- off-brand vendor Vizio is now the biggest selling flat panel TV brand in North America with a 12% market share. An angle that the AP story (and newspaper headlines) jumped on is Vizio's status as an "American" brand surpassing Asian electronics giants Sony and Samsung, even though none of the actual manufacturing is done in the U.S. So far, Vizio has focused on mass merchandising channels like Costco and Wal-Mart.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrAP-nnVKVecO3z2pp5UB1nfwfgw

But, the one aspect of Vizio's operations that jumped out at me was their total workforce of only 85 employees, and a total reliance on outsource partners to provide product. That conjures up flashbacks to Apex Digital. Remember them? They were the off-brand electronics company that rapidly ascended to become the #1 DVD player brand in 2002 and fell off the charts to obscurity just as quickly. The parallels with Vizio are pretty striking. Apex was a $1 billion company with a workforce of less than 100 employees. They outsourced all of their major operations (including customer support), and constantly switched their outsource manufacturing providers depending on who could provide the lowest price (which meant lack of continuity from one Apex model to another). Apex's house of cards fell because their product quality was lousy and the price points for brand name manufacturers soon caught up with Apex.

Is Vizio setting itself up for a similar fall? The price points for the major brands keep on tumbling, and they drop their prices while continuing to maintain continuity with model updates and providing their own aftersales support. Vizio does differ from Apex in the sense that they actively market themselves (even got Ladainian Tomlinson as a paid endorser), and seem to want to build a brand identity. I don't know anything about Vizio's product quality, so we'll see if they can maintain their momentum even as the other name brand HDTVs continue their price declines.


off-brand?
OFF BRAND ???:mad5:
This maker of TV sets has been around at least as long as some of the so called "brand"
names.
And I could tell ya that it sells big, I watched STACK of 42 inchers, on a pallet in wallfart, rapidily disapear one day, a worker said they are always refreshing it.
And why not? I love mine, and am using it as a computer moniter as we speak.
Theres no lag to speak of, and with a little tweaking the black level is quite good.
VIZIO, the RCA of the 21st century:18:

[PeruvianSkies]

off-brand?
OFF BRAND ???:mad5:
This maker of TV sets has been around at least as long as some of the so called "brand"
names.
And I could tell ya that it sells big, I watched STACK of 42 inchers, on a pallet in wallfart, rapidily disapear one day, a worker said they are always refreshing it.
And why not? I love mine, and am using it as a computer moniter as we speak.
Theres no lag to speak of, and with a little tweaking the black level is quite good.
VIZIO, the RCA of the 21st century:18:

What kind of employee discount did you get on yours?

[pixelthis]

What kind of employee discount did you get on yours?

I wish:(

BTW does your shrink give you a bulk rate for billable hours?:prrr:

[PeruvianSkies]

I wish:(

BTW does your shrink give you a bulk rate for billable hours?:prrr:

Wow, the past few days have been so nice around here, any reason why you felt the need to come back off a few days rest and stir things up in tradition troll-like fashion?

[kexodusc]

What kind of employee discount did you get on yours?
ROFLMAO!

[DEVO]

Very good analogy Woochifer...everytime I look at a Vizio, I give up my last meal! I give them another couple years...

[Rich-n-Texas]

ROFLMAO!
My reaction EXACTLY!!! :lol:

[GMichael]

I have an Apex 32" CRT that I paid $200 for on a Black Friday 4 years ago. It looks just as good now as it did when it was new. Not at all.

[PeruvianSkies]

I have an Apex 32" CRT that I paid $200 for on a Black Friday 4 years ago. It looks just as good now as it did when it was new. Not at all.

Well, you know what they say....CRT is the future.

[pixelthis]

Well, you know what they say....CRT is the future.
YEP... if you're living in 1920.
The hospital where I currently work is replacing ALL of their TVS' with lcd screens.
Maybe you can get a good deal on all of the "futurized" CRTS they're throwing out.
I'll take the 42in Olevia they have hanging in one of the waiting rooms.
I know they'll give you a good deal on the Plasma they had that died when the gas
leaked out of the tube:1:

[PeruvianSkies]

YEP... if you're living in 1920.
The hospital where I currently work is replacing ALL of their TVS' with lcd screens.
Maybe you can get a good deal on all of the "futurized" CRTS they're throwing out.
I'll take the 42in Olevia they have hanging in one of the waiting rooms.
I know they'll give you a good deal on the Plasma they had that died when the gas
leaked out of the tube:1:

I don't think they informed you....yeah, that hospital that you 'work' at...well, they aren't quite telling you the whole truth on that one. Well, I guess if they let you out on the weekends that's pretty decent, you know I was always wondering why you only post between 2am and about 5am, that must be 'Internet hours' on your wing. So what is Nurse Ratchett really like???

[pixelthis]

I don't think they informed you....yeah, that hospital that you 'work' at...well, they aren't quite telling you the whole truth on that one. Well, I guess if they let you out on the weekends that's pretty decent, you know I was always wondering why you only post between 2am and about 5am, that must be 'Internet hours' on your wing. So what is Nurse Ratchett really like???

As good in the sack as ever, and she gave me a message for you.
"Come home son, all is forgiven":1:

[PeruvianSkies]

As good in the sack as ever, and she gave me a message for you.
"Come home son, all is forgiven":1:

Wow, I really feel sorry for you.

[pixelthis]

Wow, I really feel sorry for you.

Feel sorry for yourself.
I recall from one of your recent posts, you have just bought a CD (or sacd)
of Led zepplin II. I got the first edition, on vinyl, or as we called it back then,
RECORDS.
Spent half of a income tax return on physical graffiti.
Cried when water damaged most of my records, (L.A WOMAN, DIAMOND DOGS,
YOUNG AMERICANS, EXILES ON MAIN STREET, ETC)
And I remember when Yamaha turned out stereo receivers, with aluminum faceplates
and wood cabinets. And tanberg. And AR speakers. AND sansui.
And Rock concerts, REAL ones. And reel to reel tape, and the bootlegs to go on it.
You might "listen" to rock and roll, my generation INVENTED it.
What did your generation invent?
Britney Spears?:incazzato:

[GMichael]

YEP... if you're living in 1920.
The hospital where I currently work is replacing ALL of their TVS' with lcd screens.
Maybe you can get a good deal on all of the "futurized" CRTS they're throwing out.
I'll take the 42in Olevia they have hanging in one of the waiting rooms.
I know they'll give you a good deal on the Plasma they had that died when the gas
leaked out of the tube:1:

Thanks, but I'll stick with my 106" screen.

[emorphien]

Feel sorry for yourself.
I recall from one of your recent posts, you have just bought a CD (or sacd)
of Led zepplin II. I got the first edition, on vinyl, or as we called it back then,
RECORDS.
Spent half of a income tax return on physical graffiti.
Cried when water damaged most of my records, (L.A WOMAN, DIAMOND DOGS,
YOUNG AMERICANS, EXILES ON MAIN STREET, ETC)
And I remember when Yamaha turned out stereo receivers, with aluminum faceplates
and wood cabinets. And tanberg. And AR speakers. AND sansui.
And Rock concerts, REAL ones. And reel to reel tape, and the bootlegs to go on it.
You might "listen" to rock and roll, my generation INVENTED it.
What did your generation invent?
Britney Spears?:incazzato:
Do you ever have a meaningful point?

[DEVO]

Hey...Britney was tearing her hair out for ME! But I had to say NO...you just aren't good enough for me baby!

[GMichael]

Hey...Britney was tearing her hair out for ME! But I had to say NO...you just aren't good enough for me baby!

You tell her. When she's back up to 50 mil a year, then maybe she'd be worth the sacrifice.

[PeruvianSkies]

Feel sorry for yourself.
I recall from one of your recent posts, you have just bought a CD (or sacd)
of Led zepplin II. I got the first edition, on vinyl, or as we called it back then,
RECORDS.
Spent half of a income tax return on physical graffiti.
Cried when water damaged most of my records, (L.A WOMAN, DIAMOND DOGS,
YOUNG AMERICANS, EXILES ON MAIN STREET, ETC)
And I remember when Yamaha turned out stereo receivers, with aluminum faceplates
and wood cabinets. And tanberg. And AR speakers. AND sansui.
And Rock concerts, REAL ones. And reel to reel tape, and the bootlegs to go on it.
You might "listen" to rock and roll, my generation INVENTED it.
What did your generation invent?
Britney Spears?:incazzato:

What is that suppose to mean? Yeah, I just recently picked up the Japanese import remaster of LED ZEPPELIN II, big deal. I grew up on that record and all of their others, just because I was alive in the early 1970's when that album first arrived doesn't mean I can appreciate it any less than you, just like anyone who listens to Mozart ...we didn't have to see him live in concert to appreciate his musical genius. I could care less what your generation produced, I get to enjoy the better parts of it's byproduct, but sometimes I don't know if the trade-off is worth putting up with it's negative aspects as well, you know...people like yourself.

[PeruvianSkies]

Do you ever have a meaningful point?

Short answer: No.
Long answer: Noooooooooooo.

[DEVO]

You tell her. When she's back up to 50 mil a year, then maybe she'd be worth the sacrifice.

$50 mil a year...now that may be worth ignoring her for!

[pixelthis]

Short answer: No.
Long answer: Noooooooooooo.
He wasn't talking to you, he was talking to me.:1:

[PeruvianSkies]

He wasn't talking to you, he was talking to me.:1:

Then answer his question.

[pixelthis]

Do you ever have a meaningful point?
Very meaningful, sorry you didn't get it.
Basically that American culture has gone downhill like a tractor trailer with bad brakes.
we have gone from rat pack to the brat pack.
People used to talk about books they had written on late night talk, now we have people
who can't READ a book.
It used to be rock and roll, now its rolling your eyes.
Chinatown, the graduate, even planet of the apes was an intelligent literate movie.
Now its shriek, transformers (made 300 mill!) and pirates of the carribean.
Movies used to be based on books with a few remakes scattered here and there.
Then movie versions of tv sitcoms that were bad to begin with
NOW ITS VIDEO GAMES AND AMUSMENT PARK RIDES.
Oh, and kids toys.
And peruvian puke says he feels sorry for ME.
I lived during one of the most exciting times in history, now one of the greatest countries
in history is being dismantled and moved overseas, the money becomes more
worthless every day, and people like peruvian who have never known hard times are closer
to the worst times in their lives, and don't even grasp that fact.
Kinda funny that he feels sorry for ME.
Because I really feel sorry for him:1:

[PeruvianSkies]

Very meaningful, sorry you didn't get it.
Basically that American culture has gone downhill like a tractor trailer with bad brakes.
we have gone from rat pack to the brat pack.
People used to talk about books they had written on late night talk, now we have people
who can't READ a book.
It used to be rock and roll, now its rolling your eyes.
Chinatown, the graduate, even planet of the apes was an intelligent literate movie.
Now its shriek, transformers (made 300 mill!) and pirates of the carribean.
Movies used to be based on books with a few remakes scattered here and there.
Then movie versions of tv sitcoms that were bad to begin with
NOW ITS VIDEO GAMES AND AMUSMENT PARK RIDES.
Oh, and kids toys.
And peruvian puke says he feels sorry for ME.
I lived during one of the most exciting times in history, now one of the greatest countries
in history is being dismantled and moved overseas, the money becomes more
worthless every day, and people like peruvian who have never known hard times are closer
to the worst times in their lives, and don't even grasp that fact.
Kinda funny that he feels sorry for ME.
Because I really feel sorry for him:1:

Wow, this is a really pathetic attempt to recreate the essence of Merle Haggards ARE THE GOOD TIMES REALLY OVER FOR GOOD...here are those lyrics:

I wish a buck was still silver and it was back when the country was strong.
Back before Elvis and before the Vietnam war came along.
Before the Beatles and yesterday when a man could still work and still would.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good ?

Are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell?
With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell?
I wish a Ford or a Chevy would still last ten years like they should.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good?

I wish Coke was still cola and a joint was a bad place to be.
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on TV.
Before Microwave ovens when a girl could still cook, and still would.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good ?

Are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell?
With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell?
I wish a Ford or a Chevy would still last ten years like they should.
Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good?

Stop rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell.
Standup for the flag, and let's all ring the liberty bell.
Let's make a Ford and a Chevy that'll still last ten years like they should...
The best of the free life is still yet to come and the good times ain't really


Probably didn't know that I knew this song, believe it or not I didn't have to grow up during the 50's, 60's, or 70's to appreciate the time.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Merle Haggard. Didn't he write the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES theme song? Or was that Flatt & Scrugs?

[Woochifer]

Another thread that has managed to stay oh-so-on-topic! :thumbsup:


off-brand?
OFF BRAND ???:mad5:
This maker of TV sets has been around at least as long as some of the so called "brand"
names.
And I could tell ya that it sells big, I watched STACK of 42 inchers, on a pallet in wallfart, rapidily disapear one day, a worker said they are always refreshing it.
And why not? I love mine, and am using it as a computer moniter as we speak.
Theres no lag to speak of, and with a little tweaking the black level is quite good.
VIZIO, the RCA of the 21st century:18:

Uh, "as long as" some of the "so called brand names"? I guess you didn't read the linked article? :2:

Last time I checked, companies like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and yes, RCA, were all founded way before 2002, which is when Vizio came into existence.

And I guess you didn't read my post for that matter? Since I very specifically outlined a rationale for why Vizio share more than a few similarities to how off-brand companies like Apex Digital operate. Just because you own a Vizio TV shouldn't blind you to the fact that Vizio operates more as a virtual company with minimal capital investments or customer service infrastructure. A product might wear a Vizio label, but unknown outsource suppliers in Asia and Mexico probably had a lot more to do with the manufacture and design of the TVs themselves. That's what differentiates an "off brand" TV from a brand name TV.

[PeruvianSkies]

Another thread that has managed to stay oh-so-on-topic! :thumbsup:



Uh, "as long as" some of the "so called brand names"? I guess you didn't read the linked article? :2:

Last time I checked, companies like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and yes, RCA, were all founded way before 2002, which is when Vizio came into existence.

And I guess you didn't read my post for that matter? Since I very specifically outlined a rationale for why Vizio share more than a few similarities to how off-brand companies like Apex Digital operate. Just because you own a Vizio TV shouldn't blind you to the fact that Vizio operates more as a virtual company with minimal capital investments or customer service infrastructure. A product might wear a Vizio label, but unknown outsource suppliers in Asia and Mexico probably had a lot more to do with the manufacture and design of the TVs themselves. That's what differentiates an "off brand" TV from a brand name TV.

Once a troll, always a troll.

[pixelthis]

Another thread that has managed to stay oh-so-on-topic! :thumbsup:



Uh, "as long as" some of the "so called brand names"? I guess you didn't read the linked article? :2:

Last time I checked, companies like Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and yes, RCA, were all founded way before 2002, which is when Vizio came into existence.

And I guess you didn't read my post for that matter? Since I very specifically outlined a rationale for why Vizio share more than a few similarities to how off-brand companies like Apex Digital operate. Just because you own a Vizio TV shouldn't blind you to the fact that Vizio operates more as a virtual company with minimal capital investments or customer service infrastructure. A product might wear a Vizio label, but unknown outsource suppliers in Asia and Mexico probably had a lot more to do with the manufacture and design of the TVs themselves. That's what differentiates an "off brand" TV from a brand name TV.

SORRY if you didn't get my joke.
RCA hasn't made a TV for years, the company that bought their brand name builds TV sets pretty much like VIZIO does.
So to say that VIZIO is the "RCA of the 21st century" means I am agreeing with you.
But really, I dont care if they hatch them from eggs, they are great TV sets:1:

[pixelthis]

Merle Haggard. Didn't he write the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES theme song? Or was that Flatt & Scrugs?

merle haggard is someone yankees quote in order to show their "knowledge"
of country music.
I am surprized peruvian puke knows it, I barely remember it myself.
I am a city boy, the closest I ever came to "country" was lynard skinnard , the eagles,
and the allman bro's, with a little wet willie and little feats thrown in.
I went through this phase before I abandoned rock for jazz.
I was an urban southerner, and wore headphones even when not listening to music, mostly to get away from the likes of merle haggard, etc:1:

[PeruvianSkies]

merle haggard is someone yankees quote in order to show their "knowledge"
of country music.
I am surprized peruvian puke knows it, I barely remember it myself.
I am a city boy, the closest I ever came to "country" was lynard skinnard , the eagles,
and the allman bro's, with a little wet willie and little feats thrown in.
I went through this phase before I abandoned rock for jazz.
I was an urban southerner, and wore headphones even when not listening to music, mostly to get away from the likes of merle haggard, etc:1:

Yeah man....Lynard Skinnard...I remember those guys! Of course they didn't make it big until they decided to spell their name right....LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

[pixelthis]

Yeah man....Lynard Skinnard...I remember those guys! Of course they didn't make it big until they decided to spell their name right....LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

Something like that, yeah:lol: