Vizio VF551XVT LCD HDTV with LED Backlighting (Playback 25)

The Vizio’s video processing circuitry also does a very good job of handling standard definition deinterlacing and upconversion, and performs similarly well with 1080i deinterlacing. A USB port allows picture and video viewing, as well as audio playback of MP3 files and the like.

The only major omission is the lack of an Ethernet port, which is a standard feature on most other upper tier HDTVs these days, which rules out streaming TV shows and movies from the internet (but that feature is built into a growing number of affordable Blu-ray players).

Note, however, that Vizio’s functionally similar though slightly more costly SV422XVT, SV472XVT, and VF552XVT models (with 42-inch, 47-inch, and 55-inch screens, respectively) are due out in December, 2009 and will feature Ethernet ports and provide access to the firm’s extensive Vizio Internet Apps (or VIA) system.

Connectivity

A total of seven HD inputs including five HDMI ports, along with two component video inputs. There is one S-video input and two composite video inputs, but one of the composite video inputs is shared with the S-video input. An RGB PC input handles up to 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, and there are four stereo audio inputs (one of which is a 3.5mm jack that’s paired with the RGB PC input). For connection to an external audio system, which we always recommend, there are stereo analog outputs and an optical digital audio output.

User Interface

On Screen Display

Featuring Vizio’s trademark orange text color, the OSD is clear and well laid out, occupying the left side of the screen. The various adjustments feature slider bars as well as numeric readouts, and there’s a full suite of white balance and color management system controls for calibration. The backlight level control has a wide variance range with numerous steps, so it’s easy to dial in just the right amount.

Remote Control

With burnished metal accents, the Vizio’s backlit remote control is a model of good design that feels comfortable in the hand, with clear button nomenclature, a large and easily usable cursor wheel, along with colored function buttons for Blu-ray options, among other uses.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS

• Color: 45
  
• Tint: 0
  
• Sharpness: 3
  
• Picture Mode: Movie
  
• HD size (pixel-to-pixel): Full
  
• Noise Reduction: Low
  
• MPEG NR: As necessary
  
• Color Enhancement: Off
  
• Advanced Adaptive Luma: Off
  
• Smart Dimming: Try Off first, get used the picture for a while, and then try it On
  
• Color Temperature: Normal
  
• Smooth Motion: Low
  
• Film Mode: Auto