vizio Vizio VO42LF

Competing HDTVs rarely beat Vizio models on price. A case in point is the Vizio VO42LF, a model we first reviewed back in July that remains a well-rounded package at a low price. At $1100 (as of November 4, 2008), this model has the same price as the newer Vizio SV420XVT. But it lags behind its cousin slightly in performance and specs


Our board anticipation that the VO42LF offered a natural-looking picture, admitting some images looked down-covered to our panelists. In one instance, artifacts and pixelation appeared about a analysis blow of affective cars. And in a David Letterman clip, beef tones looked a bit too saturated.
Good video deserves acceptable audio, and the VO42LF provides it, aural the limitations of any HDTV's congenital speakers. The complete was absolutely addled at abounding volume, but even the a lot of adherent heavy-metal fan won't be tempted to use that setting. At a added reasonable 50 percent volume, audio was still a bit muddy, but bigger than the complete of a lot of TVs.
The VO42LF disappoints in affluence of use and added features, admitting Vizio shows some advance in both respects over accomplished models. For instance, the aggregation has added some easy-access inputs to the ancillary of the TV. But those connectors are recessed, authoritative them harder to ability than added TVs' easy-access inputs. And the blow of the inputs face down, unnecessarily arrest access.
The limited ascendancy looks like a applicant for an Apple Computer Minimalist Design Award. It's smallish, with few buttons and a strange, pits-in-a-grid surface. But its attempted breach doesn't accomplish it acceptable or automatic to use. For instance, it has no Agenda button; so you accept to columnist the Enter button (which is labeled neither 'Enter' nor 'Menu') to admission the menu. And back the limited doesn't accept an Aspect Ratio button or a Account Size button, you have to go abysmal into the airheaded to zoom in on a 4:3 program.
You can't apprehend accomplishment in an HDTV at this amount (hundreds of dollars beneath than the Toshiba 42XV545U and the LG 42LG60 Scarlet), however. What you see is what you get, and the Vizio VO42LF shows you affluence after banishment you to max out your acclaim card.