Vizio VO320E 32" HDTV LCD TV

The 32" Vizio "ECO HD" VO320E 720P LCD HDTV is an entry level model in Vizio's line of LCD flat screen HDTV's.   Over the past few years, Vizio has grown to be the leading seller of LCD TV's in the US, largely by offering models with competive features, good performance, and at least adequate reliability, at prices below bigger name brands.    We wanted to buy TV for my daughter's apartment, and after considering several similarly priced models, we chose this Vizio, largely based on good reviews in Consumer Reports, my previous experience with Vizio TV's, and the fact that I could get it at my local Sams Club at a low price ($340) and with an inexpensive 3 year warranty (another $30).   I have some concerns about the reliability of all entry level HDTV's.   If the store you are purchasing from offers a reasonably priced extended warranty,  I recommend you consider the extra cost.    In my case, this TV cost $340 from Sams's Club, and I was able to extend the warranty to 3 years for $30.   If

We set this TV up to receive the TV signal via the local Cable company's coax connection, and is also connected to a standard def dvd player.   I also tested it with an Insignia Blue Ray DVD player.   Key features of this TV include:

Integrated NTSC (broadcast standard TV), ATSC (broadcast HDTV), analog and QAM (digital) cable tuners
32" diagonal display, 16:9 aspect ratio
1366 x 768 native resolution, supports up to 720P/1080i
Two HDMI ports (with HDCP, two is the bare minimum you should look for)
Two sets of component inputs, one "S" video input
Brightness 450 cd/m2
15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (although still not as good as a plasma TV, to my eyes at least)
VGA port (not DVI....)
2 built in 10W speakers
"Single" function remote
Weighs only 22.5 lbs

At 22 lbs, this TV seems extremely light to me.   It is also a "light weight" when it comes to power consumption, earning the EPA's energy star rating.   "Out of the box" with the standard display settings, this model consumes 80-85 watts of power, according to my kill-a-watt power meter.   In standby mode, my meter doesn't detect any power draw, but Vizio says this model draws a minimal 0.33 watts in standby.     By default the backlight for this LCD display is set at 85%.  If you ramp this up to 100%, the TV will draw about 90-95 watts.   These power usage numbers are competitive and consistent with the best recent model 32" LCD TV's.

In standby, this TV will use well under a $1 worth of electricity over the course of a year.   If you were to watch this TV for 4 hours a day, 365 days per year, the electricity cost would be about $15 per year(at 12 cents/kwh).

Initial Impressions and Appearances

The VO320E is NOT one of Vizio's most attention getting or attractive models.   It has a very "functional" appearance.  The TV has glossy black borders all around the screen, with speakers below the screen.     There is one set of component and composite inputs on the left side of the display (as you face it), along with power, input, volume, menu, and channel switches.   No controls are visible as you face the monitor.    There are backlit Vizio letters on the face of the TV below the screen, orange if the TV is off, white if it is on.   The orange back lighting is not too bright, but something to keep in mind if you intend to keep this in a bedroom.

The remote is a single function model, only capable of controlling this TV, and not other devices.  While many TV's come with multifunction remotes, I consider this single function remote a plus.  There are fewer buttons, and they are better organized, larger, and easier to find and use, when compared to most multifunction remotes.   The remote itself is not backlit.   The large rectangular volume and channel rocker switches are in the middle of the remote,  while the  numbers are on the bottom, and a navigtional "D" pad is on the top.   All easy to find and use by feel.

Most TV's I've used in the past allow you to adjust the display settings using a confusing, unattractive on screen display menu (OSD) that looks like it was designed by a DOS user in 1985.   The Vizio OSD is completely different, it is attractive, easy to use, and intuitive.    This TV offers several preset "settings" which optimize picture quality for watching movies, several kinds of sporting events, as well as an option for manually adjusting color tints, brightness, contrast, screen backlight, etc, to suit any taste or environment.

Setup

The TV comes in two pieces,  after removing the TV from the box, owners need to connect the base to the bottom of the TV and hand tighten one thumbscrew.   I initially hooked this TV to an Insignia Blue Ray DVD player (using an HDMI cable), and directly to the coax cable which brings the TV signal into my home (from Cox Cable).   I did not use a DVR or cable box.   After plugging it in, I turned it on with the remote, and let it scan for channels.   After about 10 minutes, the TV had found all of the analog channels offered by my cable company, along with about 15 standard definition digital channels, and the 7 unencrypted high definition channels offered by Cox in my area (ABC, CBS, NBC, Public broadcasting, etc).     Cox encrypts most of their HD channels,  ESPN, CNN, etc, and I would need  a cable box to watch those channels.

If you're thinking about wall mounting this TV, I don't recommend it.   While the TV includes Vesa mounting connections on the back,  the power connection and most of the video and audio cables will need to connect straight into the back of the TV, where the connectors are located (pointing out perpindicular to the back of the TV), inside recessed slots.   If the TV were wall mounted, all the cables would need to bend sharply to allow the TV to be mounted close to a wall.   I'd prefer the connections to be located  pointing down on the back of the TV for better access and less stress on the cables.

 Audio quality

Audio quality is pretty good (for a sub $400 HDTV), bass frequencies are a little weak at higher volumes, but the sound not does break up or distort until you get close to 100% volume.    I expect most people will keep the volume setting between 20 and 30%. and will find the even the 50% setting too loud.    All frequencies are clear, and voice parts on shows are easy  to understand and aren't overwhelmed by the bass frequencies like you sometimes hear on systems with better bass.    I don't hear any background noise (fans, power supplies,etc) from this set.

Viewing angles

Vizio lists viewing angles (left, right, up or down) at listed as 178 degrees.   No matter which angle I view the screen from, the image quality is consistent, colors are vivid, and contrast seems unchanged.    Viewing angles are clearly one of the strong points of the TV,   performance that sets it apart from other entry level HDTV's

Display Quality

Vizio lists the brightness at 450 cd/m2, and the contrast ratio of 15,000:1 (dynamic). The dynamic contrast ratio seems to be an extremely high, almost ridiculous number, and I believe its meaningless.    While the contrast is good, when compared to other TV's in this price range, its not as good was what you'd see on any plasma TV, blacks are not quite as black as they are on my 50" Vizio plasma TV that I bought over 3 years ago.

However, for a $400 LCD TV,  I think this model handles blacks pretty well.  When watching shows, you don't notice that the blacks are not 100% black, its really only noticeable when the screen is almost all black.    Color reproduction is very good, and you can see lots of details in dark areas of images.   I detect very little light leakage at the edge of screen, and then only when the screen is full black.

Watching HDTV channels, blue ray DVD's,  and standard DVD's is a great experience on this TV.     Colors are vivid and realistic, you can  see the fine detail in images, and the image quality is consistent across the screen. Colors are accurate, and skin colors are realistic.  The OSD offers about 10 video color/contrast  presets for watching different kinds of sporting events, movies, and playing games, making it easy to try different settings and pick the one you like as you use this TV with different video sources.

Conclusion

If you're on a limited budget and looking for an LCD HDTV for a bedroom or small apartment, the 32" Vizio "ECO HD" VO320E HDTV is a very good value.  The TV's light weight and 32" size makes it easy for anyone to install just about anywhere, yet its still big enough to take advantage of and allow you to really enjoy HD programming.   Its not a great choice for your home entertainment center, due to the limited number of HDMI (2) connections.   If you buy this TV from a store that offers low cost extended warranties, consider purchasing the warranty, otherwise you'll probably replace the TV rather than repair it after the included 1 year warranty runs out.   

Vizio makes several different 32" models, including a 1080P model which runs about a hundred dollars more than this model, and a comparably priced 720P model with better connectivity (3 HDMI).   From my shopping experiences, I think the VO320E is the best value among the 32" Vizio models.  I've also read several reviews, and almost all indicate the VO320E is the one to get, with the best picture quality and viewing angles.