What's the best discount LCD TV to buy?(Reviewed 9/30/06) The Vizio L37HDTV is the discount LCD TV to buy. It is inevitably true that the costs of famous flat-panel TV brands have been soaring high. However, just recently, Vizio has lowered their prices and is still on the way down. Vizio has promoted the concept of discount LCD TV to the direct market wherein prices of HDTV products do matter.The Vizio L37HDTV is neither head-turning nor awful while you try to set it out in the open. The unusually large amount of cabinet between its edge and the side of the entire panel that the screen has leads to bigger overall dimensions—37.8x29.9x12.2 inches HWD with stand—than many 37-inch discount LCD TVs. Silver-and-black coloring guarantees that the Vizio L37HDTV will blend in with most sets on the market these days, although this discount LCD brings a bit of flair. Vizio L37HDTV’s remote and menu system remain unchanged from the L32HDTV. It offers variety of features and extensive control of picture-in-picture and it can command three other pieces of gear. The adjustable backlight, a picture control that’s become increasingly common on discount LCD TVs, was great when we adjusted the set for dim-room viewing. The Vizio L37HDTV’s selection of inputs is adequate considering its price and some other relevant features. Usually, adjusting the Vizio L37HDTV for the optimum picture in a darkened home theater would start off the critical viewing session. The less-expensive Vizio L37HDTV projected a deeper level of black than most other discount LCD TV ‘s displayed. The field of black also remained constant across the screen, whereas many discount LCD's have bright spots, especially along the edges. The deepest black areas were slightly tinged with blue but not nearly as badly as with other discount LCD‘s. There were a few problems noticed concerning the pictures. False contouring appeared as distinct lines rather than a smooth fade shadow on the white wall behind him. This artifact wasn’t as prevalent on the other discount LCD‘s. We also noticed that the Vizio L37HDTV became more washed. The Vizio’s color accuracy, which can hardly be found among HDTVs in general and discount LCD's in particular, is most probably its greatest strength.
Conclusion: Both the Vizio and the discount LCD TV has pros and cons that the buying market has to ponder on—weighing their needs and seeing which one is near perfect as to their standard.
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