Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Vizio 55-B2 - Defect? Help Needed!

Mar 5, 2015 5:44AM PST

I just set up my Vizio 55", purchased from Amazon. To my frustration, there is a semi-circle aura at times that is really distracting.

Reading the forums it seems it might be 'Dirty Screen Effect' but it's strange to me how localized it is. I don't see it anywhere else on the screen. Just in one spot.

It's most noticeable when there are mostly-stable light colors (especially greys, but also whites, light blues, yellows). I'd say it appears maybe 5-10% of viewing time. And to be fair it's less noticeable if you view the screen at eye level (my couch is situated about one foot below the TV).

Amazon doesn't have a great return policy for TVs of this size. What I guess I'm most eager to know is whether this is something that will get worse.

If it stays the way it is (the same size, the same frequency) I think I can probably live with it. But if it's something that will get worse I'm quite concerned.

I've uploaded pics that show it at its worst here:

<span id="INSERTION_MARKER">http://postimg.org/image/4zmq2ck37/
<span>

<span>http://postimg.org/image/ezhmi8vcj
<span>

<span>http://postimg.org/image/3ymhd833n/

Discussion is locked

Viziobuyer8 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Choices.
Mar 5, 2015 11:38PM PST

1. If on Amazon Prime, return it.
2. Call for service.

It looks like a non-user serviceable panel issue.
Bob

- Collapse -
Thanks and Follow-Up
Mar 6, 2015 8:44AM PST

Thanks so much for your help.

I called Amazon. While you portrayed the return as easy if I had prime, I had come across one Amazon webpage that said that their return policy for TVs larger than 42" was basically 'too bad, call the manufacturer.' And when I cross-posted my question on another thread at CNET another forum member basically said the same thing. It turned out they were much, much better/more receptive than I EVER imagined.

Don't know if it's because I have Prime but (after walking me through a few potential tech solutions/resets) the Amazon tech told me that a refund or replacement was available. I opted for the replacement.

According to the Amazon rep, they'll send me a paid shipping label. I only have to pack up the TV, affix the label to the box, and bring it to a UPS location. So long as they receive it within 30 days I don't pay for any shipping charges. And they said they'll be able to process the replacement within 2-4 weeks. (Actually even that is understating things: because they didn't want to leave me without a TV, he extended it for 90 days so that I could get the replacement).

After previously being fearful about Amazon's return policy (and convinced I'd never buy any other big-ticket item from them again) I'm now a huge fan. It was some of the best customer service I've ever experienced with an online purchase.