230
people found this helpful, as of 2023
ranked #130,513 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★☆
Very, very good value.
I purchased the Vizio VHT510 from Costco about 2 weeks ago. I set it up right away, however I haven't mounted the rear surrounds yet. It works great and the sound quality is better than you could reasonably expect for a sound system at this price point. It is great not to have to run wires and still get 5.1 surround. It looks neat and clean and not at all cheap or shoddy like one might expect with a sound system just barely over $300.00.
I have just a couple of concerns. As per the previous review, there is only a single optical input. I currently have it connected to my 50 inch Samsung plasma; it would be really nice to have a couple more optical inputs even if the price went up a notch. My more serious concern is with the LED lights on the sound bar; they are supposed to light up when changing the volume up or down indicating the sound level. Unfortunately it doesn't work at least half the time. The volume still changes, but it is concerning when something is not working as it is supposed to on a brand new electronic device. I have seen other complaints about this very same issue on message boards such as AVS forum. My heart dropped when my brand new sound system started doing that very same thing a few days ago. Some have returned/replaced the sound bar only to have this feature be as unreliable with the second unit. I can't deal with reboxing and returning it so I just hope that it continues to work as it has and that this issue does not turn into something else that effects the actual function of the sound system. It would be great if Vizio could address this problem since it is not an isolated incidence.
Addendum:
I finally returned the Vizio 510 to Costco today. The LED volume indicator completely stopped working. The volume still changes as it should and the system still sounds great, but I am not comfortable keeping a device that doesn't work correctly from the very beginning. While waiting in line at Costco returns, someone came up to me and asked if I had a problem with the LED indicators. He said he had the same problem and returned it as well. This seems to be a real issue with this product.
Addendum 1/8/2011:
I am giving the Vizio 510 one more chance. The sound quality was just so good that I am going to risk it. I am trying to convince myself that LED volume indicators are not that important if it works well otherwise. If everything else is good, I will ignore that part if, or should I just say, "when" it happens. If there are any other issues, at least Amazon has an easy return policy. It is a super good sounding system for <$300 and with free shipping and no tax! I feel a little guilty for giving Vizio the business when they have been less than honest with the issue with this product and the fact that they did not post my "mostly good" review on the Vizio website. I think their review section is limited to only 100% positive with nothing critical at all. Not good business Vizio and not very honest!!
Addendum 4/11/2011:
I am adding this "reply" to a question about this product/my review as an addendum as well as I think the information may be helpful to others.
It has NO HDMI inputs (although a newer model, Vizio VHT520, coming out ~this summer will), a single optical (Toslink) input and a single analog (red/white RCA) input. Connectivity is a weakness in this model however it is possible to make everything work with the single optical-in. I have a Nyrius SW200 S-Video Composite & Digital Optical Toslink 3 Input Audio Video Selector Switch with Remote Compatible with DVD player, Satellite, Cable, PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, XBOX360, PS3, Wii, iPod (long name on amazon; I use only as an optical switcher) which automatically switches between my TiVo TCD746320 Premiere DVR (Black), OPPO BDP-93 Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player and TToshiba DKVR60 - DVD recorder/ VCR combo. Everything is set up using my Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote with Color Touchscreen. I hit a single function such as "watch TV" and everything, including the optical switcher, goes to the correct setting. All video is connected directly to my Samsung PN50B650 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (50 inch plasma) from each source via HDMI.
It is worth noting that my Vizio VHT510 is still working flawlessly. The one I ordered from amazon on January 8th is working well in all respects including the famously unreliable volume indicator lights. The first one I purchased (~November) did have the indicator light problem and was returned. It seems to be a matter of luck when you get this model. I have to say, however, that it is an amazing sound system for <$300.00. It is SO MUCH better than the native speakers on the HDTV that absolutely anyone can tell the difference. I have been very happy overall with this purchase.
November 2010 · Electronics · verified purchase