Vizio 42in VW42L LCD HDTV

[enfamil]

A new Vizio 42in model is out just for Wal*Mart:

WalMart website does not provide much information. Got a PDF product spec from Vizio customer service. Looks great on paper:

FEATURES

42” Diagonal / 16 x 9 Wide Screen Aspect Ratio
High Definition 1366 x 768 Native Resolution
Compatible Input Formats (1080i HD, 720p HD, 480p DVD, 480i standard TV)
PC formats supported 1366 x 768, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, 720 x 400, 640 x 480
Ideal TV For Bright Light Environments
Brilliant Picture Quality With Over 16 Million Colors
Built-In Digital HDTV & Standard TV Combined Tuner
Wall Mounting Capable; Only 3.9 Inches Thick W/O Stand
Supports High Definition Gaming Systems
2x HDMI Inputs For Superior Digital Connectivity
No Permanent Burn-In Guaranteed
1 Year In-Home Service Warranty
Typical Panel Life of 60,000 Hours, (27 Hours*)
*Defined By Time To Half Original Brightness Using The TV For An Average Of 6 Hours Per Day

SPECIFICATIONS
PANEL:
* PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE OR OBLIGATION
HDTV10A
LCD VW42L
• 42” Color TFT Active Matrix LCD panel with Anti-Static and
hard coated surface
• 178 degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles
• Superior high speed response time of 8 ms
• 8-bit, 16.77 Million colors
• Brightness 500 cd/m2
• Contrast Ratio 1,000:1 (Typical)
• Dimensions: 40.5" (W) x 28.4" (H) x 9.7" (D) with stand,
40.5" (W) x 27.3" (H) x 3.9" (D) without stand.
• Weight: 49 lbs with stand; 46 lbs without stand

CONNECTIONS:
• HDMI – High Definition Multimedia Interface for pure digital video & sound w/ HDCP
• Inputs – 1x Co-axial RF (ATSC/QAM/NTSC), 2x HDMI with HDCP (plus Stereo Audio RCA for DVI source),
2x Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio, 1x S-Video plus Stereo Audio, 1x RGB (PC) plus stereo
audio, 2x Composite Video (AV1 & AV2)
• Outputs – 1x SPDIF Digital Audio (Optical), 1x Stereo Analog Audio

FUNCTIONS:
• Removable Base for Wall Mounting (Wall Mount sold separately)
• Internal ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuner
• V-Chip for Parental Control
• VIZIO Remote Control
• Video Scaling Engine with one button 16:9, 4:3, zoom, Panoramic and
Stretch mode switching
• Advanced Video processing with Noise Reduction, 3:2 Pull-Down, 3D Comb
Filter, Progressive Scan, Aspect Ration conversion, 3D De-Interlace, Gamma
Correction, Sound modes of Stereo, Mono and SAP
• Closed Caption modes supported
• Agency Approvals – CSA/CSA-US, FCC Class B, ICE-003, BETS-7
42” Diagonal / 16 x 9 Wide Screen Aspect Ratio
High Definition 1366 x 768 Native Resolution
Compatible Input Formats (1080i HD, 720p HD, 480p DVD, 480i standard TV)
PC formats supported 1366 x 768, 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, 720 x 400, 640 x 480
Ideal TV For Bright Light Environments
Brilliant Picture Quality With Over 16 Million Colors
Built-In Digital HDTV & Standard TV Combined Tuner
Wall Mounting Capable; Only 3.9 Inches Thick W/O Stand
Supports High Definition Gaming Systems
2x HDMI Inputs For Superior Digital Connectivity
No Permanent Burn-In Guaranteed
1 Year In-Home Service Warranty
Typical Panel Life of 60,000 Hours, (27 Hours*)
*Defined By Time To Half Original Brightness Using The TV For An Average Of 6 Hours Per Day

[Nealageous]

Does anyone have any additional info on this TV? I have the VX37L10A from Costco, but am considering returning it for this one. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[PDex]

I am also interested in this panel. I was planning on picking up the GV42L. But this is much cheaper. However, I don't see PIP or POP on that spec sheet. Plus it doesn't look to have all the picture control features like the GV42. I don't know what to do.

[MetsJetsRebels]

anyone have info on this??
900 bucks for a 42 inch is hard to beat...
and for the PIP, it doesnt say it has it, but on the Walmart site, it says the VW37L has PIP, so...

[greg_mitch]

Ah great...now two threads about the TV. I would have ordered it by now but the Ship to Store feature for Walmart does not get to my area until July 9th! I don't know if I can wait that long!

Seriously who uses PIP anyway...I have had a 57" with PIP for 4 years and only used it twice that I can think of and it was a complete pain in the ass. HTPC's and Tivo mean you don't have to try and watch two things at once. Just watch one and then watch the other because it is all recorded!

Need more info...

[enfamil]

Went to local walmarts in my area. They also have the TV (price higher than online though). But none of them has the TV in display

[greg_mitch]

Yours actually had it in stock?! Just buy it and post a review here for us!

[jman79]

I am probably going to head out tonight and pull the trigger. Ohh instant gratification could be too much for me. I am way to used to internet orders and having things shipped.

Anyway, I am happy with my research and think this is the best current bang for my buck. I know there are a few features it is missing compared to the VX42L but I am not sure how much I'll use them anyhow. I also like the all black casing better!

My only question is about the ever dropping price of LCD TVs. Although this is the best Bang for your buck under $1000 now. Will I be able to do much better come fall? I definatly could hold out till black friday / christmas time. Does anyone see prices on similar panels to this dropping lower then $900 by then. Or are they likely to level out for a while(meaning until after christmas)? I know they are bound to drop over time, but I am actually pulling the trigger a little bit early here cause I've heard good things about this model. By todays standards, it won't even be available for sale after a few more months.

[jman79]

Bump . . .

Give me a reply if you can . . . I am heading out tonight around 5pm to pick it up?

Anyone?

[MetsJetsRebels]

go for it dude and tell me what you think
I have to call my local walmarts and hope they have em, and at the original price
hurry up and get one lol
and post your thoughts =D

[greg_mitch]

Darn Walmart slacky's are spying on this message board! They sense the crowd coming and start cranking up the prices!

I hope you get it so you can post some pictures of the connections, picture, mounting holes, stand, etc.

[Eminemdrdre00]

They're selling it now from more than what it says on Vizio's site...isnt that...illegal?

[Woodrow]

Folks, please do not post any more sales, discount, or price discussion.

thank you

[jman79]

Sorry I am late on the reply here . . . I've been playing


Ohh well, I am smitten anyway . . . here is a terse overview of features that were thought to be suspect in this model.

- The remote is all black, does not opperate other devices and has no illuminated keys.
- The Set menus and features are pretty comprehensive.
- There is a custom color temp where you can control RGB individually.
- There is also an advance video menu containing, DNR, Black Level Extender, White Peak Limiter, CTI, Flesh Tone, Adaptive Luma, DCR.
- Available mode are Wide, Zoom, and Panoramic(stretched sides)
- There is a up to 4x manual zoom with manual positioning in the zoom area.
- The integrated Tuner picked up all my analogue channels as well as 80 digital channels over my cable connection (Family cable only no box). So now I have access to a number of HDTV channels fox, abc, others. I also have access to a bunch of standard digital channels I didn't with my standard TV which include a boat load of music channels.
- Has a menu mode that will display TV guide information if present in the digital signal. I've only noticed this on two of the HD channels. It will give the lineup for a few hours in advance.

Everything I throw at this looks good, Standard tv, HDTV, my DVD player over component, my computers second VGA connection.

VGA connection:
This is a main reason I wanted an LCD screen and I am totally pleased. It can handle a meriad of resolutions fairly well. I am running closest to native (1366 x 786 @ 60hz) at 1360 x 786 @ 60hz. It looks gordious and when in this mode allows for standard monitor adjustments like H. Pos, V. Pos, H. width, V. Width.

Overall I doubt this model is as feature deprived as people think, however I have never seen a vx42l so I can't compare. I guess we'll see over the next few months.

[jsf0656]

can you tell us the correct width of the tv. walmarts website says 42.25 and vizios site says 40.5. i need to be sure it will fit in my entertainment center. the first # wont work. thanks
BTW great review!

[greg_mitch]

This review is very worthy of staying in the forum. Please remove the pricing discussion from the post!

Moderator please do not delete the thread but instead just delete the pricing information if you get here first!

Nice review! I want it now!

[wilson10]

I agree, sounds very nice and there are some adjustments there NOT on the L42 that I purchased a few months ago and returned for a plasma. This really has me swaying back towards LCD, especially since I have some pretty serious Image Retention from playing Guitar Hero 2.

[jman79]

Thanks for the kudos on the review guys. Here I thought I was doing such a quick terse job. If I had the time I would have scanned the manual showing all the configuration screens.

Maybe I'll get time in the next few days.

I've removed all the pricing info from my above post to respect the moderators wishs. Am going to try to take up my pricing conversation in another more suitable forum. Eventually I will post the link here when I do so, that way those who are interested can congregate in an alternate location.

[enfamil]

Originally Posted by jman79

- Available mode are Wide, Zoom, and Panoramic(stretched sides)

Can the TV be set to automatically adjust the right aspect ratio for HD and SD channels?

For SD channels, using 4:3 and leaving black bars on both sides, while for HD channels, having a full screen 16:9 display.

[greg_mitch]

I need pictures of the inputs and such otherwise I won't believe that you actually bought the TV!

[bluer101]

Post pics of computer screen shots please.

[jman79]

The inputs are identical to the vw37l which walmart has pictures of and I believe you can find on vizio now . . . but yea i'll post a pic of the thing later tonight. I am surprised I am the only person who has written in that I purchased one! I made note of that in the place that I took my price discussion too. Here is the thread if anyone wants to comment on that subject for this model.

AVS won't let me post a link yet, but its on fatwallet if you google vw42l you'll find it.

If your lucky I might even have time to make some scans of the manual, showing the menu screens. But I'll have to check vizio to make sure they haven't already posted that as a pdf.


enfamil:

Sorry I forgot to mention that there is a normal mode available for SD signals too. More detailed description of view modes is:

SD - Normal(black bar sides), Wide(Stretched to fit), Zoom(Top and bottom black bars cut off), Panoramic.

Panoramic is an attempt to preserve image scale in the center of the picture, aka the sides are stretched drastically to fit wide screen, but my option of this is a horrible fishbowl effect. I stick with Wide, overall its fantastic.

HD - If I recall correctly is WIDE(since HS signal is wide, nothing is stretched just gordious), ZOOM(cuts off top and bottom)

[bluer101]

Originally Posted by jman79

The inputs are identical to the vw37l which walmart has pictures of and I believe you can find on vizio now . . . but yea i'll post a pic of the thing later tonight. I am surprised I am the only person who has written in that I purchased one! I made note of that in the place that I took my price discussion too. Here is the thread if anyone wants to comment on that subject for this model.

AVS won't let me post a link yet, but its on fatwallet if you google vw42l you'll find it.

If your lucky I might even have time to make some scans of the manual, showing the menu screens. But I'll have to check vizio to make sure they haven't already posted that as a pdf.


enfamil:

Sorry I forgot to mention that there is a normal mode available for SD signals too. More detailed description of view modes is:

SD - Normal(black bar sides), Wide(Stretched to fit), Zoom(Top and bottom black bars cut off), Panoramic.

Panoramic is an attempt to preserve image scale in the center of the picture, aka the sides are stretched drastically to fit wide screen, but my option of this is a horrible fishbowl effect. I stick with Wide, overall its fantastic.

HD - If I recall correctly is WIDE(since HS signal is wide, nothing is stretched just gordious), ZOOM(cuts off top and bottom)

Do you notice any backlight bleading or backlight buzzing that some of the Vizio's suffer from?

This will be a good deal breaker for me to use a computer monitor. I was going to get the 47 1080p but for 5 inches smaller and half the price it might be a no brainer.

[jman79]

No I didn't notice any buzz and I was pretty close to it tinkering around in the back at times. Tonight I'll try turning it on but muting the sound to make sure its %100 silent.

As for backlight bleeding, I was doing a fair amount of scanning of the screen when it was black or solid colors to make sure I have no dead or stuck pixels, and i didn't notice any odd shadows or anything. I'll double check the screen edges tonight to see if they leak light at all. I'll also make sure no light is bleeding out of the back of the case onto the wall etc.

[bluer101]

Originally Posted by jman79

No I didn't notice any buzz and I was pretty close to it tinkering around in the back at times. Tonight I'll try turning it on but muting the sound to make sure its %100 silent.

As for backlight bleeding, I was doing a fair amount of scanning of the screen when it was black or solid colors to make sure I have no dead or stuck pixels, and i didn't notice any odd shadows or anything. I'll double check the screen edges tonight to see if they leak light at all. I'll also make sure no light is bleeding out of the back of the case onto the wall etc.

Thanks, I'm going by my local Walmart tonight to check and see. Also wait until you post back with a screen shot.

[greg_mitch]

Can you try a computer to the TV with a DVI-HDMI adpater?

I am curious if that allows 1:1 pixel mapping. Thanks.

Oh yeah, pictures!

[jsf0656]

Originally Posted by jsf0656

can you tell us the correct width of the tv. walmarts website says 42.25 and vizios site says 40.5. i need to be sure it will fit in my entertainment center. the first # wont work. thanks
BTW great review!

can you tell me the correct width of the tv. i'm considering purchasing this but i need the correct info on the width. thanks

[jman79]

Originally Posted by jsf0656

can you tell me the correct width of the tv. i'm considering purchasing this but i need the correct info on the width. thanks

40.5


Sorry guys, these pictures aren't that good, but I have a sucky old Sony Mavica 640x480 camera and I gotta get to the gym before it closes.

These are:

- the screen next to my 19" Monitor.
- The screen with RGB input over PIP
- The screen with RGB input over PIP side by side mode. (Note this thread is on the sreen)

[jsf0656]

thanks!

[jman79]

Sorry, I gotta run out so I am not re-taking the back panel pic. Besides you can get the specs online, Its identicle to the vx42l.

In fact today I downloaded the vx42l manual and I don't think there is anything different between to two models except that mine has an extra advanced video setting called DCR, which I don't even remember what it does.

Tomorrow I'll be borrowing an Avia calibration disc from someone and hope to get this baby looking even better! Have fun and let me know if anyone else gets one?

greg_mitch:
------------------------------
Sorry man, I don't have that type of cable!