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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.Remote Control
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08.Connectivity
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Formats & Media
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11.Power Consumption
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12.Vs Panasonic TCP42S1
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13.Vs Samsung LN40B610
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14.Vs Sony KDL40W5100
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Ratings & Specs
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18.Comments
VIZIO VL420M
Previous: Page 4
MotionNext: Page 6
Calibration
Viewing Effects Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Vizio VL420M. The other sizes of TVs in this series include the VL260M, VL320M, VL370M and VL470M. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other models in the VL series. Read here for more details on series differences.
• Viewing angle was disappointingly small
• Reflections were overly visible on the screen
• Testing done using DisplayMate Software
Viewing Angle (3.85)
Like all HDTVs, the quality of the image gets worse on the VL420M as you view it from an angle. We test this by measuring the angle at which the contrast ratio falls below 50% of the maximum. For this display, this angle was a very disappointing 18%: at angles wider than this, the image was much worse than straight on, with the blacks becoming much brighter and the whites becoming much paler. Colors also became much darker, but we didn't see any major issues with colors shifting or other problems.
| Viewing Angle | |||||||
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| Compare the Vizio VL420M to other HDTVs | |||||||
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| Panasonic TC-P42S1 42' |
Samsung LN40B610 40' |
Sony KDL-40W5100 40' |
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Reflectance (0.0)
We found that reflections on the screen of the VL420M were something of a concern: they were clearly visible on the screen, and a bright reflection caused a halo effect around it that was very distracting on both bright and dark screens. These reflections can be avoided with careful placement of the screen and the lights, but that's not always possible. One improvement on previous Vizio models is that the angled bezel makes it less likely that you will catch a reflection on those from a ceiling light.
Video Processing (2.0)
There are a number of features on the VL420M that claim to improve the quality of the images on the screen. We tested them.
| Setting | Claimed Function | Our Impression |
| Noise Reduction | 'diminishes picture artifacts caused by the digitizing of image motion' | Reduces noise on some particularly grainy image |
| Color Enhancement | works by 'reducing oversaturation of certain colors and improving flesh tones' | Options for Off, Normal, Rich Color, Green/Flesh and Green/Blue. When selected, pushes specified colors. |
| Advanced Adaptive Luma | 'Large areas of brightness in the picture will result in a higher Average Picture Level (APL). This feature will lower the APL to counteract this effect' | Options for Off, Low, Medium, Strong and Extend. Pushes shadow detail into black on all settings, especially the Extend option. |
| Backlight Control | 'DCR (Dynamic contrast ratio) improves the black level performance and increases contrast ratio. OPC (Optimum Power Control) reduces power consumption while mentaining picture brightness.' | Options for Off, DCR or OPC. Dims the backlight on very dark scenes (such as credits) to create a deeper black. For normal use, this feature made no difference. |
None of these features are of any real use: the only one that might be useful is the Noise Reduction if you have a particularly poor cable connection.
| Other Models in the VL Series | |||||||
| This is a review of the Vizio VL420M. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page. | |||||||
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| VL260M 26' |
VL320M 32' |
VL370M 37' |
VL470M 47' |
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