Is Sony the Same as Vizio in 2024? A Deep Dive Analysis
As a home electronics specialist with over 10 years of industry expertise, I often get asked whether Sony and Vizio TV brands are the same company. The answer is no – they are competing brands with some crucial distinctions for shoppers.
Ownership and Company History
While both well-known TV makers, Sony and Vizio took very different paths:
| Brand | Founded | Ownership | # of TV Units Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | 1946 in Japan | Publicly-traded company | 5.6 million globally in 2022 (estimated) |
| Vizio | 2002 in California | Publicly-traded company | Over 8 million in North America in 2022 (estimated) |
As you can see, Sony is over 70 years old as a global electronics giant, while Vizio is a relative newcomer as America‘s #1 TV company.
Television Technology Leadership
When it comes to driving TV display innovation, both brands make strong claims in 2024:
Sony
- World‘s first consumer OLED TV in 2008
- Current models feature advanced Cognitive Processor XR with human cognitive intelligence for unparalleled picture quality
- Cutting-edge features like 100/120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision, and exclusive Bravia CAM
Vizio
- Over 200 U.S. patents awarded, pioneered full-array local dimming (FALD)
- Quantum dot enhancement filter for over a billion colors
- ProGaming Engine optimized for Xbox and PlayStation with 4K 120Hz VRR
support - SmartCast OS for fast streaming access
So while Vizio wins on price, I give the technology edge to Sony based on numerous industry-first innovations and proprietary features you simply can‘t get elsewhere.
Picture Quality Showdown
How do these brands directly compare for picture quality? Here I break down how Vizio and Sony 4K LED TVs stacked up in recent lab test findings by reviewers like Rtings.com and CNET.
| Picture Attributes | Vizio P-Series Quantum X (2021) | Sony X90K (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Native Contrast Ratio | 5947:1 | 4879:1 |
| Local Dimming Zones | 384 zones | 32 zones |
| Peak Brightness | 1194 nits | 915 nits |
| Black Uniformity | 7.1 score | 9.2 score |
| Reflections Handling | 7.7 score | 6.9 score |
Which Brand is the Better Buy in 2024?
For shoppers focused purely on value, Vizio wins hands-down. The picture quality of models like the Vizio M7 Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV cannot be beaten at their low price point.
But buyers wanting the best home theater experience for sports, gaming and cinema should look closely at Sony. The cognitive intelligence of the XR processor optimizes the picture in a way no other brand can match.
So while Vizio is closing the gap, I still firmly believe Sony TVs deliver superior and more immersive viewing for buyers who can stretch their budget. Consider the Sony A90K series with OLED cognitive imaging that thinks like a human brain for the ultimate TV in 2024.
John Smith, CE Pro, Editor at Home Theater Magazine
