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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Blacks & Whites
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03.Color Accuracy
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04.Motion
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05.Viewing Effects
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06.Calibration
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07.Connectivity
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08.Remote Control
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Multimedia & Internet
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11.Power Consumption
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12.Samsung LN40B610 Comparison
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13.Sony KDL-40W5100 Comparison
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14.Vizio VL420M Comparison
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Photo Gallery
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18.Ratings & Specs
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19.Comments
Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U
Previous: Page 13
Sony KDL-40W5100 ComparisonNext: Page 15
ConclusionVizio VL420M Comparison
Value Comparison
The Vizio VL420M is a much less expensive TV, but it matches the Toshiba’s USB port with accompanying photo, video, and audio clip playback. The Vizio feels like a cheaper TV in many ways, but… well, it is. Nevertheless, the performance is pretty good. You get what you pay for.
| Core Attributes Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U | VIZIO VL420M | |
| Size | 42 in. | 42 in. |
| General Type | LCD | LCD |
| Format | 1080p | 1080p |
Blacks & Whites
The Vizio VL420M was not a stand-out performer in the area of blacks and whites, though it managed a better job that the Toshiba 42ZV650U. Sure, the Toshiba’s whites are brighter, but few would argue that a nice, deep black is generally preferred.
Color Accuracy
The Toshiba 42ZV650U definitely trumped the Vizio VL420M in terms of color performance. The Toshiba maintained a more consistent color temperature and the RGB curves were smoother. The latter indicates that the Toshiba should produce smoother color gradations.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U (Score: 9.45) |  |
| VIZIO VL420M (Score: 6.72) |  |
| RGB Comparison | |
|---|---|
| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U (Score: 8.44) |  |
 |
|
 |
|
| VIZIO VL420M (Score: 7.27) |  |
 |
|
 |
|
Motion
Neither the Toshiba 42ZV650U or the Vizio VL420M was a knockout performer in our motion tests, but the Vizio fared slightly better, producing smoother motion with less artifacting.
| Motion Scores | ||
|---|---|---|
| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U | VIZIO VL420M | |
| Motion Score | ||
Viewing Effects
The Toshiba 42ZV650U and Vizio VL420M have roughly the same viewing angle, approximately 40 degrees in total (20 degrees from center on each side). This is about average for an LCD television.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U: 3.65 | VIZIO VL420M: 3.85 |
Connectivity
The Vizio VL420M has only one half of the media ports that you find on the Toshiba 42ZV650U. Specifically, the Vizio has the USB port, but lacks the card slot. You’ll get by just fine if you want to view photos and listen to music occasionally.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiba 42ZV650U | Samsung LN40B610 | Sony KDL-40W5100 | VIZIO VL420M | |
| HDMI | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Component | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Composite | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| S-Video | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| VGA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ethernet | No | None | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | No | Unknown | No | No |
| USB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Card Types | SD/SDHC | None | None | None |
| DLNA | No | Unknown | No | No |
Other Comparisons
The Toshiba Regza 42ZV650U ($1299 MSRP) is a good television, but not a great television. There are many, many options for adjusting motion performance, color, noise reduction, audio performance, and more. But the core test data shows that the Toshiba 42ZV650U is only a decent performer in key areas like black levels and contrast ratio. The color performance, thankfully, is much better.Overall, the Toshiba 42ZV650U gets the job done. It has a great selection of ports for home entertainment systems (though it lacks internet connectivity) and the power consumption is modest. It has its faults, but you’ll likely be happy with it in the long run.
Shop for the Toshiba 42ZV650U
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