Ever hear of Smartvision?

airwalkery2k · 03-01-2006, 10:44 PM

I recently visited Nebraska Furniture Mart, a respectable furniture/electronics seller. Anyhow, I found the best deal on an HDTV I have seen since I've been in the market for one since November of last year. Almost to the point I want to buy it.

For only $250, I found a 27" 1080i HDTV. Even regular non-HDTV 27" were selling for the same price. How could an HDTV sell for that little? The picture is so nice and crisp when running HD programming, just as good as the other HDTV's in stock. So, it is not mislabled. And there were 3 on display throughout the store with the same price, so I doubt that was an error.

The only problem is I can find absolutely no review for the television... or even the company that makes it! The company is called Smartvision. It must be a really new company since I could not even find their website through google. I had to find it from the salesman. http://www.smartvisiontech.com/ The site, however, gives me a few chills.

Anyhow, the salesman said flat-out that it is a new company with little name-recognition or even presense within the US. To test him, I even feigned interest in a 27" Sony HDTV with the same specs for $600, but he didn't even try to make it sound better than the $250 one.

From all that I can tell, it seems sound. I have rarely had problems with no-name brands in the past. Besides, it seems $350 more sweet than the Sony. (Sony, however, I have had problems with.)

The company, SmartVision Tech, and the TV's called U2728M. So, what does the verdict seem?

godson · 03-02-2006, 01:49 AM

eeek. I see what you mean about the site.Pretty bad. Well heres my deal,I own 2 name brand sets(sony/philips) but when it came time to buy a 3rd for the bedroom i decided to skim a lil bit and buy a no name. Fortunately its a no name but atleast Best Buy owns this no name...Insignia. First I bought a 27" HDCRT for 300 bucks on sale from 350. It was cool for like 3 months till it started shutting off alot. So I took it back to BB,outside of the instore warranty time,and to both mine and the managers surprise came to find this was now a discontinued model,so they couldnt just replace it. Heres where I give BB props,they offered me full credit for the original selling price,not the sale price and put it toward a new model Insignia...a 30" HDCRT that they were selling for $699. I put out a 100 bucks plus the 300 I originally put out and got a very good set in my opinion. I have had it for nearly 5 months now,absolutely trouble free and with the exception of its lack of a DVI or HDMI,I feel its a very good set,especially for the money. So my whole point is if this is gonna be youre main viewing set,I might be hesitant to not spend a little more for a more proven model. Yet if you feel very certain that the store you seen selling it will be very accomadating to any problems as BB is,Imight take a shot...it will ease the HD bug for now but in time you will see the need for a higher end set once your accustomed to HD a little bit.

borromini · 03-02-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airwalkery2k

...So, what does the verdict seem?

Save a bit more and buy the Sony or be prepared to return the no brand.

Porcupine · 03-02-2006, 01:49 PM

I don't know anything more about SmartVision, but I wouldn't be too frightened about websites like that, as long as a real-life USA store is selling the TV. Just make sure they accept returns in case you find out the TV sucks.

The websites other TV makers offer, even Sony, aren't good either. The TV industry is not concerned with giving consumers technical information about their products. Also, just because the SmartVision website is in bad foreign English isn't something to be afraid of. Many times such foreign companies still put out good products. A good example of this is Aurum Cantus audiophile-quality speakers, also based in China/HK...their website is somewhat disorganized and it seems like they cannot speak English either, but their speakers are still of the highest quality.

d6500k · 03-02-2006, 04:42 PM

Take a test disk (rent one if nec.) Put up the following

Blue bars (Set users to best case)
Pluge (ditto)
Overscan
Overscan bounce
Needle (see if the lines are straight at proper B/W settings)

Run the tests on the budget, then on the Sony or whatever.

You might just find a diamond, or save yourself lugging around an extra 200 or so lb's.

Good Viewing,

Doug k

tags · 03-11-2006, 11:26 PM

I bought the exact TV about a week ago at NFM......I too thought it was a great deal......I got everything hooked up and picture looked great......DVDs looked great through the HD cables......fit perfect in my entertainment center.......the only problem is it will automatically shut off after watching about an hour.......I have to reach behind and unplug and plug back in to get it to come back on......I thought it may be a "Timer" issue, but that is not it.......I called NFMs diagnostic center today but they did not call back.......does anyone know why this is happening......I hope you have better luck with yours.......

OhioGuy45701 · 03-12-2006, 08:52 AM

Chinese electronics are here. This is a new trend you will begin seeing, as more and more Chinese electronic companies are popping up, and our restrictions on their goods are expiring (and the WTO provisions take effect, allowing the flood of Chinese goods and services to America). You'll also see Chinese automobiles making their way to U.S. shores very, very soon. The benefit is that these cheaper goods will probably cause a drop in the price of competitor's products. Whether or not they are of any value, and work well, remains to be seen.

The website is abhorrent, with many of the links not working. However, that shouldn't drive your purchase. Take a look at the warranty, and the value cost/benefit ratio. Also, what kind of service does the dealer perform? if it needs repairs, will they repair it, or does it need to be shipped to China? For $250 is it a good set? If it works for a year, will that justify the $250 price? Is the Sony really worth that much more (I'm a Sony fan, so I would say yes, but that $250 price tag may just be too tempting to pass up).

Good luck!

Seron · 01-29-2007, 09:15 PM

i don't know if it's too late, but to warn people out there, smartvision is the worst company you can possibly buy from.

first i got it, dvd quality is horrible. You cannot see colors clearly, black is too dark and blends in with everything. For example, if you see someone in a black suit in front of a brown or darker color wall, they blend in, you cannot see a difference.

this is the worst tv i've ever owned in my life.

This brand is also discontinued, smartvision went out of business so my 2 year warentee i paid for is gone, they screwed me over.

airwalkery2k · 02-05-2007, 11:55 AM

Yeah. Here back about a year later. I bought the TV. It was a minor mistake. The TV runs great, but now whenever I run it on anything higher than 480p, the screen shrinks down. It looks great, but it displays normal 4:3 resolution in what looks like a wide screen format. I thought for a while it was in wide screen mode. There is absolutely no way to change this on the TV.

Well, it's a bit annoying, but it will work for a while. Should have returned it right after plugging it in.

robo2l · 05-23-2007, 10:38 PM

Smartvision is decent low cost (weighs a ton) hdtv however NFM is a ripoff. Purchased the 27" smartvision at NFM Jan 06 for $199. Also purchased NFM 3 year warranty for $99. May 07 the hdtv would come on for about 30 seconds then would resort to serious distortion. Called NFM they gave me a claim number for warranty and said to go to store to get a replacement- no need to bring in hdtv. Called store again and spoke to electronics sales they said come in and get replacement no need to bring in old hdtv. Went into store and sales said "thought we had seen the last of those lemons" no $199 hdtv available- so cheapest is $499. NFM sales said the warranty will pay $199. and put this on NFM card no interest 24 mo. Sales said the $199 warranty should have been $19.99 for electronics under $300- said to ask Care for credit. Went to NFM care with receipt for $499 hdtv and $69-3 year warranty. NFM care said we need old hdtv to exercize warranty. NFM care said they cannot credit $199 warranty however current is $19.99 for electronics less than $300. No hdtv for less than $300 available so we are SOL. NFM care said we cannot put $499 hdtv on NFM credit card because the warranty is paying for a portion. Asked NFM care why we should do this they said"because it is tax free". NFM care got store manager approval to exercize warranty without old hdtv. Hooked up $499 (Samsung slim fit) hdtv and had same distortion problem, checked cable and found coax seperated from fitting- replaced and set worked fine. Some channels had no sound reset SAP and sound restored. As a matter of fact the Smartvision was not fried after all- just a bad cableconection. Got a new better hdtv however we will never shop at NFM again

.

pappylap · 05-24-2007, 10:14 PM

I'm constantly amazed how often I see a post where someone is trying to buy what should be the entertainment jewel of thier home for next to nothing?????? you will most likely get what you pay for

..

Achilles2012 · 06-29-2008, 09:33 AM

I have a Smartvision U2728M that was givin to me. We solved the power problem, but now we have these very large horizontal lines that run through the screen. We can access the menu (brightness/contrast) yet these lines remain. We may have used a larger thermester than what is called for solving the power issues, but I am wondering if this larger thermester may be causing the lines.

Does anyone have the schematic for this set as maybe I can find the right parts as opposed to taking parts from other sets ...

I realize this is a bit desperate as I can't find a whole lot of online info for this model or smartvision in general.

Thanks in advance for any info you can give me !!!

-- Achilles

thelameo · 08-16-2008, 12:27 PM

i've never heard or seen of Smartvision, but the replies here are going to keep me from ever looking at one.

aezis582 · 09-06-2008, 08:01 PM

Rule of thumb you get what you pay for. If its from a mysterious brand beware, extremely cheap run for your life. Save for something high quality you will save yourself some headaches in the end. Trust me

electro276 · 10-23-2008, 05:59 PM

Hi
I have a couple of these sets in my shop, was wondering could you tell me what thermistor your refering too, would greatly appreciate the info.

Mark

03-01-2006, 10:44 PM	#1
airwalkery2k What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	Ever hear of Smartvision? I recently visited Nebraska Furniture Mart, a respectable furniture/electronics seller. Anyhow, I found the best deal on an HDTV I have seen since I've been in the market for one since November of last year. Almost to the point I want to buy it. For only $250, I found a 27" 1080i HDTV. Even regular non-HDTV 27" were selling for the same price. How could an HDTV sell for that little? The picture is so nice and crisp when running HD programming, just as good as the other HDTV's in stock. So, it is not mislabled. And there were 3 on display throughout the store with the same price, so I doubt that was an error. The only problem is I can find absolutely no review for the television... or even the company that makes it! The company is called Smartvision. It must be a really new company since I could not even find their website through google. I had to find it from the salesman. http://www.smartvisiontech.com/ The site, however, gives me a few chills. Anyhow, the salesman said flat-out that it is a new company with little name-recognition or even presense within the US. To test him, I even feigned interest in a 27" Sony HDTV with the same specs for $600, but he didn't even try to make it sound better than the $250 one. From all that I can tell, it seems sound. I have rarely had problems with no-name brands in the past. Besides, it seems $350 more sweet than the Sony. (Sony, however, I have had problems with.) The company, SmartVision Tech, and the TV's called U2728M. So, what does the verdict seem?

03-02-2006, 04:42 PM	#5
d6500k ISF Technician Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oregon Age: 56 Posts: 1,037	Take a test disk (rent one if nec.) Put up the following Blue bars (Set users to best case) Pluge (ditto) Overscan Overscan bounce Needle (see if the lines are straight at proper B/W settings) Run the tests on the budget, then on the Sony or whatever. You might just find a diamond, or save yourself lugging around an extra 200 or so lb's. Good Viewing, Doug k __________________ Website: www.6500kcalibrations.com Serving Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Twice yearly tours to St. Petersburg/Tampa Fla. & Southernmost Texas.

03-12-2006, 08:52 AM	#7
OhioGuy45701 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	Decisions, decisions..... Chinese electronics are here. This is a new trend you will begin seeing, as more and more Chinese electronic companies are popping up, and our restrictions on their goods are expiring (and the WTO provisions take effect, allowing the flood of Chinese goods and services to America). You'll also see Chinese automobiles making their way to U.S. shores very, very soon. The benefit is that these cheaper goods will probably cause a drop in the price of competitor's products. Whether or not they are of any value, and work well, remains to be seen. The website is abhorrent, with many of the links not working. However, that shouldn't drive your purchase. Take a look at the warranty, and the value cost/benefit ratio. Also, what kind of service does the dealer perform? if it needs repairs, will they repair it, or does it need to be shipped to China? For $250 is it a good set? If it works for a year, will that justify the $250 price? Is the Sony really worth that much more (I'm a Sony fan, so I would say yes, but that $250 price tag may just be too tempting to pass up). Good luck!

05-23-2007, 10:38 PM	#10
robo2l wipodder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1	smartyvision is cool- NFM sucks Smartvision is decent low cost (weighs a ton) hdtv however NFM is a ripoff. Purchased the 27" smartvision at NFM Jan 06 for $199. Also purchased NFM 3 year warranty for $99. May 07 the hdtv would come on for about 30 seconds then would resort to serious distortion. Called NFM they gave me a claim number for warranty and said to go to store to get a replacement- no need to bring in hdtv. Called store again and spoke to electronics sales they said come in and get replacement no need to bring in old hdtv. Went into store and sales said "thought we had seen the last of those lemons" no $199 hdtv available- so cheapest is $499. NFM sales said the warranty will pay $199. and put this on NFM card no interest 24 mo. Sales said the $199 warranty should have been $19.99 for electronics under $300- said to ask Care for credit. Went to NFM care with receipt for $499 hdtv and $69-3 year warranty. NFM care said we need old hdtv to exercize warranty. NFM care said they cannot credit $199 warranty however current is $19.99 for electronics less than $300. No hdtv for less than $300 available so we are SOL. NFM care said we cannot put $499 hdtv on NFM credit card because the warranty is paying for a portion. Asked NFM care why we should do this they said"because it is tax free". NFM care got store manager approval to exercize warranty without old hdtv. Hooked up $499 (Samsung slim fit) hdtv and had same distortion problem, checked cable and found coax seperated from fitting- replaced and set worked fine. Some channels had no sound reset SAP and sound restored. As a matter of fact the Smartvision was not fried after all- just a bad cableconection. Got a new better hdtv however we will never shop at NFM again .

05-24-2007, 10:14 PM	#11
pappylap Poopmaster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Way over Yonder Age: 4 Posts: 2,874	I'm constantly amazed how often I see a post where someone is trying to buy what should be the entertainment jewel of thier home for next to nothing?????? you will most likely get what you pay for .... __________________ Bar Wench...Where's my Waffle! You can checkout anytime you like but you can never leave.." 50"Pioneer KURO 111FD Pro Elite Pioneer BD320 Blu-ray player Pioneer VSX-919AH A/V Receiver 32" & 37" Olevia LCDs Sony DHG HDD 500 gig DVR Samsung DTBH260 Digital Tuner One Roll of Charmin Quilted Plus in each Bathroom...

03-02-2006, 01:49 AM	#2
godson Mr. Bill Belecheeeeek. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: philadelphia Posts: 2,592	eeek. I see what you mean about the site.Pretty bad. Well heres my deal,I own 2 name brand sets(sony/philips) but when it came time to buy a 3rd for the bedroom i decided to skim a lil bit and buy a no name. Fortunately its a no name but atleast Best Buy owns this no name...Insignia. First I bought a 27" HDCRT for 300 bucks on sale from 350. It was cool for like 3 months till it started shutting off alot. So I took it back to BB,outside of the instore warranty time,and to both mine and the managers surprise came to find this was now a discontinued model,so they couldnt just replace it. Heres where I give BB props,they offered me full credit for the original selling price,not the sale price and put it toward a new model Insignia...a 30" HDCRT that they were selling for $699. I put out a 100 bucks plus the 300 I originally put out and got a very good set in my opinion. I have had it for nearly 5 months now,absolutely trouble free and with the exception of its lack of a DVI or HDMI,I feel its a very good set,especially for the money. So my whole point is if this is gonna be youre main viewing set,I might be hesitant to not spend a little more for a more proven model. Yet if you feel very certain that the store you seen selling it will be very accomadating to any problems as BB is,Imight take a shot...it will ease the HD bug for now but in time you will see the need for a higher end set once your accustomed to HD a little bit.

03-02-2006, 01:49 PM	#4
Porcupine My HDTV sux :( Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 344	I don't know anything more about SmartVision, but I wouldn't be too frightened about websites like that, as long as a real-life USA store is selling the TV. Just make sure they accept returns in case you find out the TV sucks. The websites other TV makers offer, even Sony, aren't good either. The TV industry is not concerned with giving consumers technical information about their products. Also, just because the SmartVision website is in bad foreign English isn't something to be afraid of. Many times such foreign companies still put out good products. A good example of this is Aurum Cantus audiophile-quality speakers, also based in China/HK...their website is somewhat disorganized and it seems like they cannot speak English either, but their speakers are still of the highest quality.

03-11-2006, 11:26 PM	#6
tags What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1	I bought the exact TV about a week ago at NFM......I too thought it was a great deal......I got everything hooked up and picture looked great......DVDs looked great through the HD cables......fit perfect in my entertainment center.......the only problem is it will automatically shut off after watching about an hour.......I have to reach behind and unplug and plug back in to get it to come back on......I thought it may be a "Timer" issue, but that is not it.......I called NFMs diagnostic center today but they did not call back.......does anyone know why this is happening......I hope you have better luck with yours.......

01-29-2007, 09:15 PM	#8
Seron What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1	i don't know if it's too late, but to warn people out there, smartvision is the worst company you can possibly buy from. first i got it, dvd quality is horrible. You cannot see colors clearly, black is too dark and blends in with everything. For example, if you see someone in a black suit in front of a brown or darker color wall, they blend in, you cannot see a difference. this is the worst tv i've ever owned in my life. This brand is also discontinued, smartvision went out of business so my 2 year warentee i paid for is gone, they screwed me over.

02-05-2007, 11:55 AM	#9
airwalkery2k What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	Yeah. Here back about a year later. I bought the TV. It was a minor mistake. The TV runs great, but now whenever I run it on anything higher than 480p, the screen shrinks down. It looks great, but it displays normal 4:3 resolution in what looks like a wide screen format. I thought for a while it was in wide screen mode. There is absolutely no way to change this on the TV. Well, it's a bit annoying, but it will work for a while. Should have returned it right after plugging it in.

06-29-2008, 09:33 AM	#12
Achilles2012 What is HD? Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4	I have a Smartvision U2728M that was givin to me. We solved the power problem, but now we have these very large horizontal lines that run through the screen. We can access the menu (brightness/contrast) yet these lines remain. We may have used a larger thermester than what is called for solving the power issues, but I am wondering if this larger thermester may be causing the lines. Does anyone have the schematic for this set as maybe I can find the right parts as opposed to taking parts from other sets ... I realize this is a bit desperate as I can't find a whole lot of online info for this model or smartvision in general. Thanks in advance for any info you can give me !!! -- Achilles

08-16-2008, 12:27 PM	#13
thelameo What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3	i've never heard or seen of Smartvision, but the replies here are going to keep me from ever looking at one.

09-06-2008, 08:01 PM	#14
aezis582 What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4	Rule of thumb you get what you pay for. If its from a mysterious brand beware, extremely cheap run for your life. Save for something high quality you will save yourself some headaches in the end. Trust me Last edited by aezis582; 09-06-2008 at 08:02 PM. Reason: mispellings

10-23-2008, 05:59 PM	#15
electro276 What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	Hi I have a couple of these sets in my shop, was wondering could you tell me what thermistor your refering too, would greatly appreciate the info. Mark