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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 LN32B460 Comparison
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13.Insignia NS-LDVD32Q-10A
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14.Memorex MLT3221 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
VIZIO VW32L
Previous: Page 8
Remote ControlNext: Page 10
Multimedia & InternetAudio & Menus
Simple menu structure. Mediocre or worse audio performance.
Audio Quality (4.00)
The Vizio VW32L has two speakers that live (quite conspicuously) under the display in the front. As you might expect with a TV in this price range, the sound quality is not very good. The range is pretty poor, and the bass response is completely lacking. Though the menu offers a modicum of frequency control, we heard no real improvement when we turned up the bass setting. If anything, the sounds became more muddy, nothing more.
There is, of course, an emulated Surround Sound mode, which does seem to improve the overall audio experience. It’s certainly not going to fake you into thinking you’ve just purchased an actual 5.1 channel system, but the sound is ‘wider’ than listening with the feature turned off.
Menu Interface (6.75)
The menu on the Vizio VW32L is ugly, but it gets the job done. You want some fancy animation and pretty gradients? Look elsewhere. The menu is split into three main subdivisions: Picture, Audio, and Setup. Navigating around the menu is fairly intuitive using the 4-way directional pad on the remote control. The only common navigation trope missing is using the left button to go back a step. Instead, you have to hit the last button.
Vizio could have done a better job indicating when you’re in a sub-submenu, where n00bs could get lost, but hitting the last button enough will exit you out of the menu entirely.
Instruction Manual (8.00)
The instruction manual that comes with the Vizio VW32L is magazine-sized, rather than a little, black & white booklet that you get with most electronics. The photos inside, while color, can be of an embarrassingly poor quality (a basic walkthrough with the printers about the difference between JPEGs and TIFFs is probably in order).
More to the point, is the manual useful? In most cases, yes. With both a table of contents and an alphabetical index, you’ll find most of your questions answered. The explanations of some features can be a little slim, especially if you’re a technophile that likes as much detail as possible.
| Other Models in the VWxxL Series |
|---|
| For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page. |
 VIZIO VW37L 37 in. |
Shop for the VIZIO VW32L
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