Vizio Co-Star

• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 5 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 8 stars

  A couple frustrations but really good overall

  by ejated on March 26, 2013

  Pros: Improves with every Google TV update. Android based. Google Play Store. Keyboard on the flipside of the remote and touch pad. Hooks up between your cable box and tv, it overlays your tv and interacts with the cable box. Games incl. Zynga apps

  Cons: No on/off indicator light. 10 secs to start up. Major channels block Google TV from getting to content. AMC has worked for me, though. The CW looked like it was going to work but video locked up over and over

  Summary: I have an Apple TV second generation, a Playstation 3 and two web-enabled tv's and the Co Star is clearly the most versatile of them all with so many ...

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  Summary: I have an Apple TV second generation, a Playstation 3 and two web-enabled tv's and the Co Star is clearly the most versatile of them all with so many available apps. If the major networks stopped blocking access to their sites, I think this unit would be the best media streamer out there. Other than getting to my Apple media, it seems to do everything that any other system can do.
  
  Probably the biggest frustration with it is the unit goes between your cable box and your tv so, if it isn't on, you don't get your cable signal. Because there isn't an indicator light it regularly provides confusion to my spouse and kids when they aren't getting cable to the tv. It's a stupid problem that could be easily helped with an on/off light.
  
  Even though the setup leads to the frustration with not being able to see your cable feed unless the CoStar is on, this setup provides valuable benefits. When I use my other streaming media devices, you only interact with them. With the CoStar, it lays over your cable feed and interacts with it. There are several search functions and apps that are way more effective in finding content in my Comcast box than the Comcast box does itself. I think this is the main feature that really sets the CoStar apart. It does pretty much everything that the other units do but it also improves the capabilities of the cable service you already pay for.

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• 8 stars

  The Co-star gets a A.

  by Rcork on March 6, 2013

  Pros: Seamlessly connects No Switching modes on TV to use Co-star! One push of button and the co-star is on.
  Works perfect for surfing the web. No longer need to turn on a computer to do a quick search.
  The YouTube App is one of the best formats Ive seen.

  Cons: The Co-Star could use more Apps.

  Summary: The Co-star lived up to everything it promised. I have used it now for over 6 months and to be able to access the web on my TV is spectacular. ...

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  Summary: The Co-star lived up to everything it promised. I have used it now for over 6 months and to be able to access the web on my TV is spectacular. All the other functions are icing on the cake work well. The seamless way it works with my TV is another function that is above the rest. Not Having to switch modes to use the Co-Star is great! I do not understand all the negativity.

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• 1 stars

  Vizio Lies! They admit their products don't work!

  by Underglass on October 31, 2012

  Pros: This is a horrible company. Read below to learn more!

  Cons: This is a horrible company. Read below to learn more!

  Summary: Chat
  Status: Connected
  Jacob (Listening)
  Jacob: Thank you for contacting VIZIO Live Chat, the home of Entertainment Freedom for All. This is Jacob in South Dakota. Have you ever contacted ...

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  Summary: Chat
  Status: Connected
  Jacob (Listening)
  Jacob: Thank you for contacting VIZIO Live Chat, the home of Entertainment Freedom for All. This is Jacob in South Dakota. Have you ever contacted us before?
  Russell Davis: yes but not about this issue
  Jacob: Thank you. I understand you are wondering if you can manually change the fan speed?
  Russell Davis: The fan on my thin and light does not run consistently. Its intermittent and rather loud when it turns on. Is there a way to make it more consistant so its not so loud when it turns on.
  Jacob: Here at VIZIO we pride ourselves in providing best in class customer support and all of our support is U.S. based, and I can assist you with that.
  
  We have no software or ways to manually configure the fan speed. There are programs out there to change fan speeds on factory computers, but we have not found a program to control ours.
  Russell Davis: Is it normal for the fan not to run for a minute and then turn on full speed?
  Jacob: It is. The fan is designed to keep the CPU at a steady temperature. When you load a program or interact with your PC the fan will kick in to try and cool it down to a suitable level. With the profile of our machines to be as thin the fan will make some noise as it is on full to cool the CPU down then turn off.
  Russell Davis: Skipping topics. Is there a browser that you recommend using with your computers?
  Russell Davis: internet browser*
  Jacob: We are unable to recommend most 3rd party programs and devices but we do recommend this site http://ninite.com/ as it has many cool and useful programs that you can click to install at once. These programs are clean to install without any ad's or "special offers" that come with them.
  Jacob: They also have 4 browsers you can download and try which are safe.
  Russell Davis: Cool. Adobe flash player has been crashing often on my laptop. Any suggestions?
  Jacob: Which browser are you using that adobe crashes on?
  Russell Davis: firefox
  Russell Davis: IE seems to be slower so I dont use it
  Jacob: In Firefox, check and make sure Adobe is up to date in the plugin list.
  Russell Davis: Will do. Are they making an update for the tracking pad. I have to use an external mouse because my pad is not very accurate and does not always respond
  Russell Davis: I did update the tracking pad a few weeks ago
  Jacob: We are working on a more up to date version of the gesture pad to bring overall performance and stability. At this time there is no set date yet since it is not finalized.
  Russell Davis: Alright. One last question. I purchased a Co-star and it does not work on my TV because it need to be a 1.4 hdmi. I sent my tv back to the manufacturer to see if there is a problem with it. If the Co-star still does not work when I get it back how do I return it?
  Jacob: If it does not work after your TV is back from the service. Contact us back if you would like to return it. There is a 30-day return policy if you are out of that time frame we would not be able to accept the return.
  Russell Davis: Maybe I should try to return it now then.
  Jacob: I would be unable to decide for you.
  Russell Davis: I would like to return it since it would be 30+ out when the TV gets back
  Jacob: Okay. For the return there will also be a 10% restocking fee and you would be responsible for shipping.
  Russell Davis: I was under the impression that there would not be a restocking fee since it did not work with my HDMI compatible TV
  Jacob: Were you able to test the Costar on another TV with HDMI and HDCP?
  Russell Davis: Yes, I was able to test it. But your site says this verbatim: ** "Compatible with high definition televisions with HDMI connectivity." This is not the case since my TV has HDMI connectivity
  Russell Davis: My TV works with any other device through the HDMI port. I even tried a friends google TV with it and it works. I do not understand why the costar will not work with my TV but it doesnt
  Jacob: With most HDMI devices and TV's HDCP is a requirement for content protection. The Costar is a device that has HDCP. without that it is not designed to display.
  Jacob: Since the Costar did work the Costar is operational and I would not be able to waive any restock/shipping fee's since it is the TV that is not compatible for the requirements of the costar.
  Jacob: Since the Costar did work the TV it is operational*
  Russell Davis: Why do you advertise that it will work with all HDMI compatible devices then tell me that most HDMI devices HDCP is a requirement
  Russell Davis: On your website it says ** Compatible with high definition televisions with HDMI connectivity.
  Jacob: but it does not say all televisions with HDMI connectivity.
  Russell Davis: This is not the case since it will only work with some HDMI Devices
  Jacob: There are TV still out there that do not meet true HDMI features.
  Russell Davis: The item is made for a TV! Therefore it is assumed that it will work with it!!!
  Jacob: It is but it is your model TV that you own that does not meet the updated requirements for HDMI.
  Russell Davis: Why does Vizio not advertise the product correctly. "Only works with TRUE HDMI DEVICES"
  Russell Davis: The TV is Brand New 3 months old! Your company has unrealistic expectations!!!
  Jacob: I am sorry that you see Vizio that way but it not our decision that we have to add or not add HDCP it is the laws and copyright protection rules we have to follow for the programs we offer on our costar, like Netflix since they have laws to protect piracy since they stream movies.
  Russell Davis: If you claim it works with HDMI devices then it needs to work with all HDMI devices. You cannot decide to pick and choose who's devices it will and will not work with and then charge them because you set unrealistic expectations
  Russell Davis: This has nothing to do with laws
  Jacob: HDCP does.
  Russell Davis: You claim your product works with hdmi yet it doesnt
  Russell Davis: The law says thats false advertising
  Russell Davis: nowhere does it state that the device needs to be hdcp
  Jacob: It is not considered False advertising. I do not control what is set on our site and I do apologize for that.
  Russell Davis: What!!
  Russell Davis: If you advertise something on your site it must be true
  Russell Davis: No company can say one thing and do another
  Russell Davis: Its Illegal
  Jacob: Russell, I am not here to argue about the costar not working for your TV and what the site says. I am unable to waive any thing if you want to return the costar since the device is functioning properly.
  Russell Davis: Well, how do i return it.
  Russell Davis: I will never purchase another Vizio again
  Jacob: Did you have a case number for your Costar?
  Russell Davis: 2869298
  Jacob: The address to ship the costar to is:
  
  VIZIO Repair Depot West
  21901 Ferrero Parkway
  City of Industry, CA 91789
  
  And use this number as an ATTN or write it on the box: RC918386
  Russell Davis: Do i need anything else?
  Jacob: That is it for my part. I would wait for the email of confirmation on the return before shipping the unit off.
  Jacob: Is there anything else that I can assist you with today?
  Russell Davis: Vizio won't mind if I post this conversation on a couple forum's will they?
  Jacob: That would be up to you if you want to post it on a forum or not.
  Russell Davis: Is there anyone else that I can talk to about this.
  Russell Davis: You must understand my frustration
  Russell Davis: How is anyone ordering your product supposed to know it will work on their TV or not until they get it. And if it doesnt then they have to pay to ship it back. Doesnt seem right
  Jacob: There is no one else to talk about this. And I do understand your frustration and I wish I can do more to help you so you can enjoy it on the TV you purchased but I just cant.
  Russell Davis: I ordered the product right off your website and the only conditions it say that my TV must meed is that it has HDMI connectivity. But your saying that it has to have HDCP to work which is different.

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  0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  Disappointed

  by Mikeg179 on October 22, 2012

  Pros: Google TV interface

  Cons: Poor Return Policy. Remote Control is awful.

  Summary: I had a previous Google TV (Logitech) and was happier with that Unit. I didnt like how the co-star worked. I went to return it and was advised that I ...

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  Summary: I had a previous Google TV (Logitech) and was happier with that Unit. I didnt like how the co-star worked. I went to return it and was advised that I had to pay a 10% restocking fee. I will never buy another Vizio Product again. This was a product that was only sold through Vizio. I could not go to any store and see its operation. If I could I would have never bought It. Since Vizio was the only place to buy It I think having to pay a restocking fee is awful. Hope you like it before you buy it.

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  0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  buy at your own risk

  by thegalapagos on September 14, 2012

  Pros: can't think of anything

  Cons: my order never came

  Summary: half a star to no star
  my order had never filled properly
  customer service ??? what customer service.

  Summary: half a star to no star
  my order had never filled properly
  customer service ??? what customer service.

  0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

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