VIZIO VHT510 5.1 Surround Sound Home Theater with Wireless Subwoofer (Black)

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.

So I purchased 3 Vizio VHT510's from my local Costco,,, had to return ALL of them because the LED's lights quit working.

Reviews on AVS, SamsClub, Costco and here at Amazon all complain about the LED's not working,, this is a widespread problem that is affecting both the VHT210 and VHT510 Vizio soundbars, and its not just a few of them,,, it seems to be all of them.

Even when I returned all my VHT510's at Costco the manager told me they have been getting these returned in great numbers because of the lights going out.

I wanted to buy another one as I really do like the VHT510, so I decided to call Vizio to ask them if they had fixed the probelm yet,,,, Vizio's response,,,, there is not a problem with the LED's and if there is it is only a few of their soundbars,,, after I told them of all the negitive reviews they still denied there was a problem.

I dont think I have ever laughed so hard,,,, WOW,, really Vizio,,,, no problems with the LED's going out,,,, ya know, if Vizio would have said yea, there is a problem and we are working on it I would have had total respect for Vizio,, but to totaly denie any problems what-so-ever,,, that just made me laugh,, and mad at the same time.

I guess Vizio does not know that this little thing called the "internet" exist, where people talk about things and read reviews.

Cheers
Davyo

This is my second Vizio soundabr. I have a VSB210WS in my LR because my wife wants less "stuff", but I want more. I have always been impressed with the sound of the VSB210WS.
So impressed, I bought my Dad on last year for Christmas to replace a Bose unit he had that I thought was horrible and he has been thrilled since day one.

I have a den/man cave with a 65 flat screen that's "MY" room to do with as I please, but have also grown to like "less" but still want more. I had purchased a Sony HT-IS100 BRAVIA true 5.1 system and was really never quite happy. Center channel audio was very weak, bass just as bad. So when I heard about the new Vizio VHT510 to be released I was excited. It arrived Friday and I had it up and running in 30 minutes. BLOWS THE SONY AWAY!!!!! Watched 4 football games yesterday like I was there, then popped in Saving Private Ryan last night and as far as I was concerned, the bullets where wizzing by my head!!!

The only issue I have ever had with the Vizio soundbars was the single Optical input as I prefer to get my audio signal direct from the source not the TV as Vizio suggest (DishHD DVR,Sammy Blu-Ray, Roku unit), so I just use a 3 way optical splitter that that is remote controlled to solve the problem. Once all programmed into my Harmony 1100 all works without issue.

If I have one area I would improve, its the supplied remote, kinda chintzy but since I won't be using it, I really don't care.

This sounbar ROCKs! If you want great sound, want to go easy on your pocket....... you can't go wrong with this setup. I couldn't be happier.

UPDATE* Soundbar levels indicators having same issue as review below. That's the great thing about Amazon, no questions asked I have a replacement being delivered today and will return the defective unit.

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