Should you buy an inexpensive LCD TV like the Vizio?

The “brand“ name LCD TVs have superior picture quality but we feel the premium you pay isn’t worth it. Until LCD TVs get bigger screens and their price gets smaller tags we'd rather be spending our money on an inexpensive LCD TV.

Although the Vizio L32HDTV is inexpensive it includes a HDTV tuner, has accurate primary colors, acceptable initial color temperature, has HDMI / PC inputs and an adjustable backlight. The blacks aren’t as deep as plasmas but it’s a good bargain for people seeking a solid everyday television.

This HDTV’s styling reflects its pricing. Although not flashy like the Sony or the Sharp LCDs the Vizio has a functional look. It's screen is bordered by a wide black bezel forming a black rectangle, which is in turn is surrounded by a thin silver strip set back on the top and sides. The HDTV has a silvery stand with silvery speakers and all the finishes do look plastic. The L32HDTV measures about 33 (W) by 26 (H) by 11 (D) inches. The HDTV weighs 43 pounds. This 32-inch LCD TV delivers good image quality.

Notable Features: Typical remote, not backlit, but it’s intuitive. The keys are all similar so it’s not easy to differentiate the functions. The remote can control up to three other components. This inexpensive LCD TV includes an over-the-air ATSC tuner, picture-in-picture control, four aspect-ratio modes available for both HD and standard-def sources, and a rudimentary EPG.

If you’ve never connected a HDTV up before Vizio made it easy to get you up and running with the L32HDTV. Its inputs are clearly labeled and the accompanying documents help you make sense of them. There’s also a large, full-color poster showing all the inputs and their uses. This manual offers loads of detail in both words and images.

The on-screen menu is basic and functional with one mode that allows you to change picture parameters. There are no color temp controls but its default setting is acceptable. There’s an adjustable backlight with a picture control common to the more expensive LCD TVs.

Connections: One HDMI input, which is unusual on a budget LCD, two component-video inputs, one VGA-style PC input, a pair of composite A/V inputs with S-Video and two screw-type RF jacks, a set of A/V inputs on the side includes S-Video but no S-Video input on the rear panel.

Conclusion: This inexpensive LCD TV delivers bang for the buck because you get decent picture quality, basic connectivity to get you up and running, decent feature set, an HDTV tuner and HDMI connection all at a budget price. Don’t waste your money on the brand name LCD TVs when you can get more from an inexpensive LCD TV or similarly sized plasma.

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