Lawsuit Investigation: Vizio May Have Mislabeled TVs with Fake Refresh Rates
Last Updated on January 5, 2024
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- January 5, 2024 – Official Vizio Refresh Rate Lawsuit Settlement Website Is Live
- Vizio has agreed to pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged it falsely and misleadingly advertised the refresh rate on certain televisions, and the official settlement website can be found at www.RefreshRateClassAction.com.
The settlement covers all consumers who bought a Vizio TV advertised as having a “120Hz Effective Refresh Rate” or “240Hz Effective Refresh Rate” in California from April 30, 2014 through the date the court enters final approval of the settlement. A final approval hearing is slated for June 20, 2024. A list of the covered television models can be found here.
To file a claim online, head to this page.
Class members have until March 30, 2024 to file a claim online or by mail. Those who submit a timely and valid claim will be paid up to $50, depending on the total number of valid claims submitted, for each eligible TV they purchased.
In addition to paying $3 million to resolve the litigation, Vizio has also agreed to stop the advertising practices at issue in the case and provide enhanced services and a limited one-year warranty to all class members, the website states.
The only way to receive cash compensation from the settlement is by filing a claim by the deadline. If you do nothing, you will receive no money from the deal and be bound by its terms, but you may still be eligible for the enhanced service or warranty.
Don’t miss out on settlement news like this. Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who bought a Vizio television with an advertised refresh rate of 120Hz or 240Hz.
- What’s Going On?
- It is suspected that Vizio is selling televisions with refresh rates that are only half the advertised number.
- What Signs Could Indicate a Lower Refresh Rate?
- Juddering when watching sports or movies, bottom-of-the-screen news scrolls that can’t keep up with the text, high-motion programs and video games that aren’t as clear and crisp as they should be, etc.
- How Could a Class Action Help?
- A class action lawsuit could help you get your money back if you purchased a TV with a fake refresh rate. It could also force Vizio to change its advertising if the company's claims are found to be false.
What’s the Issue with the Refresh Rates?
It is suspected that the true refresh rates on the Vizio TVs are only half the advertised number. Attorneys believe that TVs advertised as having a 120Hz refresh rate have an actual refresh rate of only 60Hz, while the refresh rate on the “240Hz” models is really only 120Hz. That means the TVs may not be worth quite as much as people pay for them.
Which Vizio Models Are Under Investigation?
The attorneys handling this investigation believe that the refresh rate problem affects almost all of them. A third-party review commissioned by the attorneys found that more than 100 model numbers had lower refresh rates than advertised.
What’s a Refresh Rate – And Why Does It Matter?
The refresh rate of a television refers to the number of unique images that appear on screen per second. In other words, it’s the number of times per second a TV screen is “refreshed” with a new image; it’s also referred to as “frames per second.” Higher refresh rates reduce motion blur and allow for a crisper, clearer picture.
Simply put, the higher the refresh rate, the better the picture quality. And, in general, the better the picture, the higher the price tag. In fact, according to a lawsuit filed against LG over a similar issue, TVs with higher refresh rates sell at about 15% to 20% more than those with lower refresh rate capabilities.
How Can I Tell If My TV Has a Low Refresh Rate?
You may notice problems with your TV when watching the following:
Sports – If you’ve ever watched sports on a 60Hz TV, you may have noticed a “judder” effect, characterized by jerking or jittery motion. Televisions with a true refresh rate of 120Hz or more will display more fluid motion in the high-action displays of sports and gaming.
News – Similarly, if you watch a program with a news scroll at the bottom of the screen, a 60Hz television won’t be able to keep up with the scrolling words, while TVs with higher refresh rates can display the motion smoothly.
Movies – When watching movies on a TV with a lower refresh rate, you may notice that movement isn’t as smooth as it should be. This may stem from the juddering effect of “3:2 pulldown” or “telecine.” TVs with 120Hz and 240Hz refresh rates will not produce this effect.
My TV Is Having These Issues – What Now?
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a lawsuit can be filed against Vizio on behalf of consumers who may have been affected by the manufacturer’s allegedly false advertising. But first, they need to speak with people like you.
If you’ve bought a Vizio television marked with an advertised refresh rate of 120Hz or 240Hz, fill out the form on this page. One of the attorneys handling this investigation may then contact you to help you understand your legal options.
How Could a Class Action Help Me?
A class action, if successful, could help consumers get their money back if they purchased TVs with fake refresh rates. It could also require Vizio to correct its marketing and get honest about the TVs it’s selling if the advertisements are found to be false.
Before commenting, please review our comment policy.