March 2007
First Look: Vizio VM60P HDTVA
Given the high scores that Vizio's 50-inch plasma TV earned in our latest Ratings, we had great expectations for its 60-inch
sibling. Our preliminary tests show that this set mostly lives up to its promise, offering very respectable picture quality.
While its $3,000 price is hardly small change, it's a relative bargain among big-screen plasma sets. The 60-inch LG set in
our Ratings costs $4,300, and a 58-inch Panasonic is $3,900.
The VM60P has several unique features. Perhaps most obvious is its "bronze" bezel color, which resembles the "champagne" finishes popular on audio components several years ago. The color might not be to everyone's liking; some will undoubtedly prefer the black, charcoal, or silver finishes more common to flat-panel TVs. To minimize the cabinet's width, the speakers are on the bottom. The speakers are down-firing, and they use a curved, see-through plastic sound reflector to direct sound out toward the listener. The set has four HDMI inputs--the most we've seen--all on the rear panel. The VM60P can accept 1080p signals but scales them to fit the set's 720p (1366x768) native resolution. The Vizio is available nationally at Costco and Sam's Club and can be ordered directly from the company's Web site.
HIGHS
Pleasing overall picture quality. Though clearly a notch below the best plasma TVs we've tested, this 60-inch model did very well with HD content. Images were bright, with good color rendition. DVD quality was quite good as well.
Great price. The VM60P is very low-priced for a plasma set of this size.
Lots of connections. This TV is as well connected as any we've seen and better than many. It has four HDMI and two component-video inputs, plus two S-video and two composite-video inputs and an RGB jack (for use as a PC monitor).
Easy to use. The remote control has backlighting that is activated when any button is pressed, so it's easy to see in low-light environments. The setup menu is easy to navigate and can be accessed without using the remote by using buttons on the side of the set. The input and output connections are clearly marked, and most have high-contrast labeling.
LOWS
Some picture flaws. Although the overall picture quality was fine, there was some "noise" onscreen, even in HD and DVD images. (Noise appears as tiny specs noticeable mostly in the background.) Dark scenes weren't as black as we've seen on top-rated models, and moderate color banding and blotching was noticeable in some scenes. Also, on the unit we tested, the picture-brightness setting would occasionally shift by itself, altering our chosen settings.
No front or side inputs. With all the connections at the rear of the set in a hard-to-reach alcove, connecting new or temporary gear, such as a camcorder or game system, could be more difficult than with other sets, particularly if the TV is wall-mounted.
No CableCard slot. This might be an inconvenience if you want to eliminate the use of a cable box, but given that CableCards don't offer interactive features, we don't consider it a significant omission. (It does have a digital-cable QAM tuner, which enables it to receive unscrambled digital-cable programs without using a cable box.)
Heavy weight. Plasma TVs tend to be heavier than LCDs, and some are heavier than comparably sized rear-projection sets. Because the Vizio is among the largest plasmas, it's also one of the heaviest, at 180 pounds. Be extremely careful if you want to wall-mount this TV.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Vizio VM60P HDTVA offers a lot of bang for the buck. Its overall picture quality is quite good, though not top-notch. Your only other choice at this size and price would be a rear-projection set, and those are bulkier.
The VM60P has several unique features. Perhaps most obvious is its "bronze" bezel color, which resembles the "champagne" finishes popular on audio components several years ago. The color might not be to everyone's liking; some will undoubtedly prefer the black, charcoal, or silver finishes more common to flat-panel TVs. To minimize the cabinet's width, the speakers are on the bottom. The speakers are down-firing, and they use a curved, see-through plastic sound reflector to direct sound out toward the listener. The set has four HDMI inputs--the most we've seen--all on the rear panel. The VM60P can accept 1080p signals but scales them to fit the set's 720p (1366x768) native resolution. The Vizio is available nationally at Costco and Sam's Club and can be ordered directly from the company's Web site.
HIGHS
Pleasing overall picture quality. Though clearly a notch below the best plasma TVs we've tested, this 60-inch model did very well with HD content. Images were bright, with good color rendition. DVD quality was quite good as well.
Great price. The VM60P is very low-priced for a plasma set of this size.
Lots of connections. This TV is as well connected as any we've seen and better than many. It has four HDMI and two component-video inputs, plus two S-video and two composite-video inputs and an RGB jack (for use as a PC monitor).
Easy to use. The remote control has backlighting that is activated when any button is pressed, so it's easy to see in low-light environments. The setup menu is easy to navigate and can be accessed without using the remote by using buttons on the side of the set. The input and output connections are clearly marked, and most have high-contrast labeling.
LOWS
Some picture flaws. Although the overall picture quality was fine, there was some "noise" onscreen, even in HD and DVD images. (Noise appears as tiny specs noticeable mostly in the background.) Dark scenes weren't as black as we've seen on top-rated models, and moderate color banding and blotching was noticeable in some scenes. Also, on the unit we tested, the picture-brightness setting would occasionally shift by itself, altering our chosen settings.
No front or side inputs. With all the connections at the rear of the set in a hard-to-reach alcove, connecting new or temporary gear, such as a camcorder or game system, could be more difficult than with other sets, particularly if the TV is wall-mounted.
No CableCard slot. This might be an inconvenience if you want to eliminate the use of a cable box, but given that CableCards don't offer interactive features, we don't consider it a significant omission. (It does have a digital-cable QAM tuner, which enables it to receive unscrambled digital-cable programs without using a cable box.)
Heavy weight. Plasma TVs tend to be heavier than LCDs, and some are heavier than comparably sized rear-projection sets. Because the Vizio is among the largest plasmas, it's also one of the heaviest, at 180 pounds. Be extremely careful if you want to wall-mount this TV.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Vizio VM60P HDTVA offers a lot of bang for the buck. Its overall picture quality is quite good, though not top-notch. Your only other choice at this size and price would be a rear-projection set, and those are bulkier.
