The Vizio plasma TV is the value plasma TV but..(Reviewed 9-3-06) This Vizio plasma TV (P42HDTV) is one of the least expensive plasma TV’s available but the more discerning TV viewers may not be satisfied with it. It has the high tech look of the brand name plasmas (especially the Samsungs). The Vizio P42HDTV’s screen is surrounded by a glossy black frame and silver bottom-mounted speakers. The Vizio P42HDTV’s overall dimensions are 43 (W) by 31 (H) by 11.4 inches (D). The panel itself measures 4.3 inches deep and weighs 85 pounds. This Vizio plasma has vivid color rendition and HDTV programs have good HDTV detail. The shadow detail is also excellent but it lacks the deep blacks of the Panny’s and the most recent Pioneer plasmas. The inability to produce deep blacks limits contrast in dark movie scenes and steals some of plasma’s visual punch. The Vizio P42HDTV's remote control is basic but the layout is cleanly arranged. It’s a universal model capable of controlling a wide variety of A/V components. It has controls for special features like picture-in-picture (PIP), picture-out-of-picture (POP), freeze, and zoom. Unfortunately it doesn't have a backlit keypad. Notable Features: This Vizio plasma TV has three preset video modes and a User setting that allows you to customize each video. There are standard settings: contrast, color, brightness and sharpness but no advanced control adjustments like color temperature, gamma, or noise reduction. The few controls you get are adequate for decent plasma viewing. Out of the box the Vizio's color-temperature default setting was adequate with minimal tweaking. The Vizio P42HDTV has picture-in-picture (PIP), picture-out-of-picture (POP), freeze, and zoom. This plasma has two display modes for HDTV: Normal (4:3) and Wide (16:9) and three display modes for standard-def programs: Normal, Wide, and Zoom. Connections: The Vizio P42HDTV has limited connections but it does have the basics to give you decent plasma viewing. It has HDMI and component-video jacks, for HDTV, a VGA input for computer hookup, a dedicated antenna input for off-the-air HDTV broadcasts (it has a built-in digital tuner). Conclusion: The Vizio P42HDTV 42-inch plasma HDTV performs well for its price. The picture may not be perfect, the remote’s not back lit and it doesn’t have the deep blacks of the premier plasmas but HDTV programs and DVDs play very well. Additionally this Vizio plasma TV has a crisp image, nice shadow detail, and natural color. It has the high tech look of its more expensive competitors and a feature set that makes it one of the top values in plasma TVs today. Overall this Vizio plasma TV is a great bargain for casual TV watching. Back to Plasma TV Page
|