GamePro Labs: HDTV

Vizio GV47LFHDTV 47" LCD TV

What is it?

The Vizio brand is synonymous with the word 'value,' but the company has proven time and time again that you don't have to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks. Their 47" LCD TV, built on Liquid Crystal Display technology, once again proves that you won't have to sell your house just to get a decent HD experience.

PROS:

  • Getting a native 1080p HDTV for under $2000 equals 'winner winner chicken dinner' every time out.
  • The picture quality is impressive, as is the screen size.
  • There are a decent number of inputs, including two HDMI ports.
  • While they're no match for a dedicated 5.1 surround set-up, the built-in speakers offer fairly decent sound quality.
  • We have to mention the price again: In terms of bang for the buck, the Vizio scores very well.

CONS:

  • While most televisions have their inputs facing outward on the rear of the unit, the Vizio's inputs are all mounted in a vertical position, making it difficult to plug in your cables.
  • Maneuvering between different source inputs can be a chore, and it sometimes took repeated tries before the unit picked up on a signal.
  • The Vizio name lacks the cachet of a big-ticket brand name, like a Sony or a Samsung. We couldn't care less but if brand names hold some meaning for you, then you might want to look elsewhere. You'll pay a premium but at least your friends and neighbors will be impressed.

FINAL VERDICT:
Despite it's budget minded price, the Vizio is a perfect entry level unit, ideal for any gamer who is wading into the HDTV pool for the first time. It's also affordable enough that it could potentially be used as a secondary display for the bedroom or den. Most surprising was the quality of the built-in speakers, which were decent enough that we didn't immediately feel the need to plug in our surround sound set; we eventually did but all the same, the sound quality was pretty good. We hated the orientation of the unit's inputs and changing between multiple sources, especially when using the front-of-unit controls, was a pain, but we have very few complaints about the Vizio. A great LCD display for the price.

Fun Factor: 4.25
www.vizio.com
MSRP: $1,699.99

Comments [0]

post a comment

Post a Comment