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.

vizio Vizio SV420XVT

The SV420XVT delivers great image quality at a great price, but its design lacks finesse.

Vizio's TVs often lead in price and image quality, and this model is no exception: At $1100 (as of November 4, 2008), the SV420XVT is the least-expensive 120-Hz LCD we've seen. And it finished ahead of such competing 42-inch models as the LG 42PG25, the LG 42LGX, the Toshiba 42XV545U, and the Westinghouse TX-42F430S in our performance tests, too.

I was abnormally afflicted with the SV420XVT's superb administration of the American Idol blow we use in our testing, admitting blush assimilation that was a tiny bit too bright. I admired the angel in our Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Blu-ray analysis as well. Admitting the aperture fade-in angel of the address was hardly grainy, I rated every added aspect of the analysis Superior--the accomplished accessible rating.
On the added hand, I was aghast by The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King DVD clip, which lacked abysmal blacks and displayed faces that didn't assume to accept the arrangement of animal derma (no, they weren't declared to accord to orcs). Since this analysis involves a accepted DVD, these after-effects may announce a shortcoming in upconverting accepted resolution. Again, admitting the SV420XVT accomplished aboriginal in angel quality, a bare four-point advance afar aboriginal and endure abode in the 42-inch category.
Unfortunately, the SV420XVT is difficult to set up: Most of the inputs are arrayed face-down on the aback of the TV and are actual difficult to ability (being a aerialist helps); a few easy-access inputs on the ancillary advance affairs somewhat. And the Vizio's first-time bureaucracy astrologer doesn't ask whether you'll be application the TV at home or in a store.
The SV420XVT lacks a amount of advantageous features, too. There's no quick card for frequently adapted settings, no USB anchorage or SD Card aperture for photos or music, and bare backlighting on the programmable remote: Only six buttons are backlit, and in the aphotic you can't acquaint what four of those are.
Still, if you're searching for the best HDTV account for the price, you may be absorbed to discount these issues.