we be not audio-video `` heavy '' , but we be write this review in the hope that it may help other like we . we purchase this item because of the excellent review in a recent `` Consumer Reports '' . the Amazon price be the best we could find -lrb- as usual ! -rrb- , and the item arrive very quickly -lrb- again , as usual ! -rrb- . here be some advice for other who be consider this item : 1 . the Amazon description would benefit from additional word that clarify which additional cable -lrb- s -rrb- a buyer might need . in we case , we discover only after the Vizio arrive , that we new Panasonic 50 '' plasma do not have a `` audio out '' that the vizio-included `` rca cable '' require -lrb- we learn later that this might be typical of most recent hdtv -rrb- . also , the Vizio do not accept HDMI , so we need something call a `` optical cable '' . it would be wonderful if Vizio include a Optical Cable with this product . the cable cost we under $ 5 here at Amazon , and even if Vizio have to increase they price by $ 5 it would be a good marketing move that would save they tech support time , especially since the Vizio manual suggest Optical as the best approach . 2 . the Vizio manual make no mention of the possible need to tweak some audio setting on you tv in order to get the Vizio speaker and sub-woofer to produce sound . it take a lengthy call to Vizio tech support before the support person finally suggest this as a possibility . perhaps more experienced audiophile would have know this stuff right away , but we sure do not . one example of the tweaking : we need to `` turn off the internal speaker '' via the tv 's menu -lrb- this sure make sense to we , once we learn it be necessary ! -rrb- . we also need to select one specific Vizio remote control option . if such item have be indicate as possibility in the Vizio manual it sure would have make we experience a lot smoother and quicker , and it would have save the Vizio tech support folk some effort . now that we have everything running , we be delighted with the sound quality the Vizio produce , and with the value . we can not believe the improvement compare to the Panasonic 's internal audio -lrb- we would be happy with that till we hear the Vizio ! -rrb- . we hope the above be helpful ...