Terrific 2D image, Good in 3D, less than stellar remote, November 22, 2010

By 

Mark Sumner “Devilstower” (Imperial, MO USA) – See all my reviews

  

The 2D image here is extremely sharp, almost shockingly so. Remember when you first moved from SD to HD and all the TV shows suddenly seemed kind of… shabby? As if the sets just weren’t up to HD scrutiny? The image here is so clear, the colors so deep and the contrast so high, that you can have that experience over again. Sometimes it even feels like the 2D images are 3D. Compared to my earlier sets, it’s actually disorienting.

I’ve made some changes to the review to address questions and discoveries.

Calibration

As usual, the out of the box settings tend to favor a brightness that could give you a tan. However, the default “movie” mode tones things down a lot (and looks very much like what I got after spending hours on calibration, so you may want to spare the effort and just make that quick selection, assuming all these things emerge from the box equal). Technically, the out of the box modes all seem to run a little to the “warm” side, so you’ll need to cool the image down a bit if you want the textbook values, but I find myself liking the warmer image a bit better. Somehow (even though I know better) it looks more lifelike.

Screen glossiness

The screen is glossy. Yup. I’ve found that it doesn’t cause a problem during the day because the set’s inherent brightness shrugs off evenly distributed lighting from reflected sources (I don’t get direct sun on the set, but that would be inadvisable for most sets). And naturally, the set looks great in a dim room. However, if you’re sitting down and have some lamps in front of it at night, they can be reflected. Some reflections even give a scattered, prismatic effect that can be distracting. It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t take on the mirror-like appearance of some screens. But it is noticeable and may require that you rearrange your set position or lighting.

Remote

The slide-out keyboard remote works fairly well, but it has a list of problems. First off, it’s not backlit, and on a remote this complex that’s a real problem if you expect to use it to replace your cable box or DVD remotes. You’ll find lots of small buttons, many almost flush with the case, that you can’t make out by touch. The slide-out alpha keyboard is fine for entering information needed to access Netflix or search for clips, but a Tweet is about the longest thing that can be typed comfortably. The handling of multiple devices is both clever and irritating. The remote associates a device with each input to the TV. So if you tell it that HDMI-1 is your satellite box and HDMI-2 is your blueray player it will (after correct setup) switch the remote function to the appropriate device when you switch input. However, getting it to control a different device -without- changing the input (if, for example, you have all your devices running through a receiver) is much less neatly handled.

3D

Initially, I was having trouble getting DirectTV to recognize this set as 3D and kept getting the “Your 3D TV does not support this resolution.” This appears to have been resolved, and I can now watch soccer re-runs and old tennis games while waiting for more 3D content along with everyone else. The depth of the 3d is good — equal to the apparent depth on the Samsung X500, which is the best I’ve seen. However, there is no apparent way to use the 3D effect on 2D images which, while a gimmick, is a handy gimmick when you don’t feel like watching “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” for the 20th time just to see some 3D.

USB

I’ve been unable to view any video off USB ports. I have a downloaded 3D clip saved to a flash drive which was provided as a test of the Samsung. Though there are 3 USB ports, none of them seem to recognize the clip (or actually, to even respond to inserting the flash drive)

2D Image quality

I’m still very taken with the 2D image. Even neighbors who were unimpressed with previous Vizio sets are excited by this one. Very deep blacks, color saturation nice (initial setup is slightly on the warm side… but I find that I rather like it). Brightness and contrast have a wide range and will go right up to the “torch” level that many stores seem to like. If you think it looks good on the shelf at Megamart, it looks even better on the wall at home.

I’ve upped my rating a star after two weeks of owning the set. I still wish it came with an improved remote, but now that it’s all calibrated and connected to my system, I have little else to complain about.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comments (14)

Best 2010 TV on the market for the money, December 14, 2010

I really wanted the CNET Best Buy rated 55″ non 3D model XVT553SV but couldn’t find any in stock anywhere. The 47″ had some good deals but is just too small when you compare it to bigger sets. I’m so happy I bought the 55″ 3D instead. The 2D picture is absolutely stunning but the 3D is simply amazing and worth the small increase in price compared to the difference in price to a non 3D Samsung. Everyone should demo a 3D in a store before writing it off as a gimmick. DirecTV already has 3 dedicated channels and more 3D video will surely be on the way soon. Games will probably lead the revolution in 3D but 3D sports broadcasts will be awesome as well. The new BluRay players are also now 3D capable. Vizio has long had a rep for the best prices but now they have the best technology and features along with the best prices.

This is a complicated entertainment system- not just a TV. It takes a while to get used to, to set up and to test all the amazing features. Most people will never use all of them but there is something amazingly new and cool for everyone. Even the remote is way ahead of its time and needs to be used a lot to get comfortable with. Think of it as a large cell phone with a slide out full keyboard to access all the aps. The LED backlit technology, 480hz refresh rate, the 55″ size, the HD 1080p picture quality and the wireless internet all open the door for the future of internet TV and home entertainment. The 3D just adds one more exciting element to the platform that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. Its not your father’s 3D! Even my wife loves it. This is one of those major innovations that if you don’t buy now to save a few bucks you will always wish you had. Your next TV should be a backlit LED, in 3D and offer wireless internet aps and firmware updates. Vizio makes that affordable now.

FYI- Although the remote is well thought out and very functional, setting up the remote for other devices takes some practice. If you want to set up the Vizio remote to operate your DirecTV DVR you have to turn off the RF function on the DircTV remote and leave it on IR. The Vizio remote is BluTooth to the TV but only works in IR for other devices. Even Vizio support couldn’t figure that one out when my Vizio remote wouldn’t set up to run the satellite receiver. My only complaint is not having the remote backlit but even DirecTV doesn’t do that. After a short time you get the main keys memorized by feel and location just like every other remote. For the slide out keyboard you will need a light on and tiny fingers. Those who can already text or tweet from a cell phone from their pockets will find it plenty big.

The 3D glasses are also BluTooth which makes them superior to the other brand’s IR glasses. All in all I am very impressed with Vizio in technology, features and value. I just hope it holds up better than my Sony HD Plasma did. This set totally blows away my Sony.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment (1)

So far so good. Possible 3D interference, December 7, 2010

I went BJ’s to check out some T.V.’s and to my surprise I was standing in front of this model. Since it is out of stock on amazon and the vizio website this was a shock so I bought it. As I hooked it up and turned in on I was in awe of the picture. Law and Order Los Angeles was on and it looked like it was live, no exaggeration. I had to stare at it for just a moment. I then set up my Netflix and that works beautifully. At 7.99/month and direct streaming to TV the premiere movie channels should be scared.

Now the remote just sucks to put it harshly. I am sticking with my comcast remote even though the vizio remote can perform the same functions. It is just not comfortable. The keyboard is a pain. You just need to to access your setting and the VIA apps aside from that just don’t bother, in my opinion. It was a cool idea but the keyboard should just be a separate stand alone option. In their haste to integrate the ruined a simple device).

I did have issues hooking it up to my stereo receiver. For some reason the AV out jacks on the TV did not work. I don’t know if I just did not have the settings right on my TV or receiver or it is just malfunctioning. In either case I just decided to use the optical output and it works just fine.

So aside from the remote and the some issues with the hookup it was worth it. The picture is great and that is our sole/main purpose for TV. The VIA apps are okay but I do not put too much stock in that feature except for the movie streaming.

Added 1/12.

Still pleased with the TV but I came across something and was wondering if it may just be an issue of mine. I recently recieved my Vizio 3D glasses and decided to try it out on some Comcast 3D content On-demand. It appears that when then I use the glasses it keeps by cablebox from recieveing signals from the remote control (thats either the vizio or comcast remote.). Only after turning off the box manually and shutting off everything does it return back to normal. After severla trials I found this to happen only after using the 3D glasses. has anyone else expired something similar?

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comments (6)