Vizio XVT3D650SV LED 3DTV (TPV 107)

Vizio’s top model provides a big screen 3D experience along with a range of Internet apps and music and video streaming at a price that’s much less than other brands

Remote Control
Two features separate the Vizio’s remote from the norm. First, it features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard similar to those found on many smartphones, which comes in really handy when accessing some of the smart apps. For example, it makes searching for a particular movie or TV show a much quicker operation compared to having to slog through a virtual keyboard onscreen. However, if you’re not used to a smartphone-sized keyboard, the tiny keys will take some getting used to.

The other differentiator is Bluetooth RF communication between the remote and the TV, which eliminates the need to point the remote directly at the set, as is typically the case with conventional IR remote controls. The main remote keypad is fairly well laid out, but most keys are quite small and the labeling is similarly small, and the remote doesn’t have backlighting.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS

• Color: 42
• Tint: 0
• Sharpness: 0
• Picture Mode: Movie
• HD size (pixel-to-pixel): Normal; Horizontal and Vertical Size 0,0
• Noise Reduction: Off
• Smooth Motion Effect: Off
• Color Temperature: Normal
• Color Enhancement: Off
• Real Cinema: Smooth or Off, according to preference
• Advanced Adaptive Luma: Off

PERFORMANCE

3D Blu-ray Evaluation: Monsters vs Aliens

Detail
As the Vizio is a passive 3D type, detail takes a hit as vertical resolution is effectively halved, while scan lines become evident. However, due to the large size of this set, viewers can sit further back which reduces the scan line visibility somewhat (though it’s a problem can never entirely go away).

Color
At the default setting, the color is too rich, and turning it down is in order. Once properly adjusted, the Vizio puts out a great looking and very colorful picture.

Blacks
The in-picture blacks are very good, but the letterbox bars above and below the screen image are clearly not 100% black, but instead a dark gray. That’s typical for almost all LCD-based displays, even ones that feature LED lighting and local dimming. Slightly noticeable corner flares were evident, also a trait shared by many LED edgelit flat panel TVs.

Shadow Detail
In the space lair where the four-eyed alien makes tea, the darkly lit scene places many details in the shadows and the Vizio makes them easy to discern.

Artifacts/Noise
Another by-product of passive polarized FPR 3D technology is jaggies, noticeable during the movie from time to time on smaller picture elements, such as the General’s shoulder epaulets

2D Blu-ray Evaluation: Legends Of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis

Detail
With quality 2D material such as this great compilation of HD jazz performances, the Vizio does a great job of rendering very fine details.

Color
On the test bench, the XVT3D650SV scored very well in terms of color gamut accuracy, and the color quality of this fine Blu-ray looks great, with especially natural-looking flesh tones.

Blacks
Here’s where local dimming and LED edgelighting combine to deliver excellent in-picture blacks. However, with an HD overscan test pattern that contains blocks of black boxes, the blacks show up as dark gray, something I haven’t seen with other LED edgelit sets.

Shadow Detail
A close-up of Dave Brubeck at the piano keyboard clearly shows details in the dim reflections coming off the piano’s jet-black ebony finish.

Artifacts/Noise
None noted.

BOTTOM LINE

Vizio’s market strength is in the low to middle product ranges, but the XVT3D650SV shows that they’re able to deliver a fine set that aims toward a higher market niche. The overall performance in 2D is very good, and is about par in 3D for a passive polarized 3D set (active shutter 3D technology, while somewhat more expensive, still provides the best overall 3D experience).

From a value standpoint however, the 65” XVT3D650SV simply can’t be beat. For example, at the time of this writing a comparably sized Samsung top-line 3D smart TV with active-shutter technology carries an MSRP that’s about $2,200 more than the Vizio. Similarly, LG’s equivalent passive polarized 3D 65” set has an MSRP that’s about $1,300 more than the Vizio. Couple the Vizio’s relatively low MSRP with distribution through big box discount stores and warehouse clubs and the price gap gets even wider—at post time, for instance, Sam’s Club had this set priced at $2,498, with free shipping if purchased online.