PROs:
The picture is excellent, both regular TV and 3-D, after adjusting and tweaking the default settings. Picture quality and price are two big reasons for buying a particular brand of TV. Considering the reasonable price, this Vizio TV is a bargain.
3D:
The 3D is amazing. The screen disappears and becomes a window you are looking through. Not only that but in some scenes objects appear to be floating in front of the TV, by as much as 30 inches! Incredible! Great job, Vizio! Can't wait for the X-Games and the Olympics, both in 3D this year.
CONs:
My cons are mainly annoyances and things requiring getting used to.
Several are what I consider design defects by Vizio.
The Remote:
The keys are tiny. Definitely not suitable for anyone with large fingers. The entire remote measures 2" X 6". The section with the keys on the front measures 2" X 4", not much room for all the keys on it.
The "3D" key is almost lost at the bottom of the number keys instead of being prominent like the "V" key. The 3D key is nearly impossible to find in the dark as the keys are not backlit.
I wonder if the word "Vizio" is adapted from a word meaning "Patience." There is a very slow response time between key press and TV reaction. Before I realized this I pressed keys too quickly and the TV froze up. The keys failed to respond and even the manual buttons on the side of the TV failed to respond. I had to unplug the TV to get it to reboot. I have since learned patience.
User Guide:
Starts you off with internet settings, rather than TV.
Not printed. The startup guide is marginally useful. The in-depth operational details are in the online manual (not even a CD provided) and require the user to download and print out the manual. You would think that considering the cost of the TV they would spend the nominal amount to give you a printed manual.
The manual refers to a TV mode of "Sensio" but fails to explain what it is.
TV:
Do not be concerned if the initial TV picture color looks, well, awful.
This TV requires much fine tuning through many levels of submenus to get decent color. I enjoy playing with settings and submenus so it was an enjoyable experience for me. Non-techies will have a harder time.
It is very disappointing that the TV fails to recognize which type of 3D is incoming. There are two flavors of 3D signal, "above and below" or "side by side". This requires the user to go to the 3D menu and select the correct 3D source. A tedious four step process considering how slowly the TV responds to each key press. Then when you want to return to 2D TV you must go through the process again. A quicker method not found in the manual is to locate and press the tiny 3D key at the bottom left of the alphabet. I am hoping that Vizio will come up with a software enhancement that can recognize the type of 3D signal.
This TV is definitely not "Instant On". It is "Press and Wait". When you turn on the TV it takes several seconds for even the Vizio logo to light up, then an additional approximately 15 seconds for a picture to appear.
Be aware that on some key pressed the screen will go black. Not to worry. It is working on your key press and will eventually bring the picture back with your change. It would be helpful if there were an onscreen icon of some sort showing that the TV is working, such as that little moving circle that PCs use to communicate "working".
Internet Ready:
This TV is internet ready. It accepts either a wireless or wired internet connection. There are several apps that are preloaded on the TV. Many more are available. Many of the apps require a paid subscription to an internet provider. You can do streaming video or movies easily once the connection is made. YouTube is free.
There is no internet browser app, nor an email app. I will miss both.
The largest button on the remote, the "V" key, connects you to the app display. I have enough movies through my Comcast DVR that I won't use this much, but it does work. The wireless antenna is robust inasmuch as my router is some distance away from the set and although my PC sometimes has trouble getting the signal at that distance, the TV has no such trouble.
One design deficiency IMHO is that the V internet button is huge while the 3D button is tiny. Both should be at least the same size. It is annoying that the button I don't use is right there while I have to search for the 3D button.
The reverse of the remote is a full keyboard. Super convenient for use with the internet apps.
Packaging:
The packaging of the TV is excellent. Styrofoam sections are cut out and framed to support the TV without it touching the sides of the sturdy box. You should save the box in case you need to ship the TV somewhere for service (or to return to Amazon). My suggestion is to take notes, or better yet, pictures, as you remove the styrofoam pieces and the TV from the box so that you will be able to repackage the set correctly.
CONCLUSION:
I bought this TV rather than another make I was interested in because of Amazon's excellent offer of free shipping and a 30 day trial and free return shipping if I am not satisfied with it. I didn't know if 3D TV would be worth it so this was a no risk way to try it out.
We are getting used to the idiosyncrasies of the TV. I gave this TV four stars because of them. If the remote were better it would rate five stars.
I plan on keeping the TV. My wife loves the TV's picture, both 3D and regular. She tells me if the TV goes, I go too.
So we will happily keep the TV, unless, of course, something bad happens in the three weeks remaining in my trial period. If I return it for some as yet unknown reason, I will update this review.
The TV picture is excellent. The 3D amazing.
Go for it!
REVIEW UPDATE 6/29/2012:
We are halfway through our 30 day trial of this TV.
The picture continues to be excellent, both regular and 3D. Our new record for the distance an object appears to be floating in front of the screen stands at four feet!
We have gotten used to the "annoyances" I mentioned earlier. It didn't take long. Now using the remote is automatic and even the time delays are no longer noticeable.
I have learned a shortcut method for changing the TV modes, from 2D to 3D. Instead of using the cumbersome "Menu" button, I place my finger on the smooth empty space at the bottom of the remote and slide the finger up to the tiny 3D key at the bottom left of the numbers pad. Then repeated presses of the 3D key and a tap of the "OK" key switches between modes.
So unless something unexpected happens during the remainder of the trial, this TV is here to stay. If need be I will update this review.
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