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Official VIZIO M3D420SR/M3D460SR "Passive 3D" Owners Thread - Page 3

post #61 of 186
12/13/11 at 10:24pm
Now that the high pitched ringing noise is gone, I wanted to put that aside and list some of the pros and cons of this set from my experience so far.

Pros:
Very high value proposition - Lot's of size and features for the money.
Very slim and light.
High contrast ratio (not top tier, but good)
Internet apps actually work well
3D is also good for passive (which I prefer)

Cons:
Glossy screen (reflection issues)
Picture quality quickly deteriorates for off axis viewing angles
A little bit of blooming or strobing in some situations (also depends on picture settings)

I'm using it in a bedroom for TV/Movie watching and playing video games. My primary light sources are torcheire lamps that are slightly behind the TV and well to it's sides, so the reflection issues are not terribly noticeable. On the other hand, I can't recommend it if you're going to have any bright lights directly reflecting off of it. I really wish that they had gone with a matte finish like their older sets.

Since I'm watching it directly in most cases the off angle viewing is not a killer, but it's much worse that I've seen on many other LCD panels. I don't have a lot of experience with LED lit models, so that might be something that goes with the territory. Then again I'm closer to it in the bedroom than I would be in a living room where the distance might help mitigate the off angle viewing issues somewhat.

Overall I would rate it a good value, but not a top tier set, or Vizio's best work.
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post #62 of 186
12/14/11 at 4:20am
Anyone experiencing any smearing with fast action scenes? I have the XVT 65" set right now and video games are practically unplyable on it. Fast moving images leave a blurry trail of after-images behind them. I am looking at the M series 55" or upcoming 65" as a replacement...I've owned the E series 47" and it was terrific with no issues at all. I'm just hoping the M series is closer to the E series rather than last years XVT line.
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post #63 of 186
12/14/11 at 4:38am
Fantastic post. Good information. Thanks for the photo too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by QuadraQ View Post

OK, the Vizio contracted repairman called yesterday and I was able to get them to come today instead of having to wait until Thursday. He opened up the back of the TV and I took a pic of it. The Power supply is right in the middle and that's the part that he replaced. After that we turned it on and there was a dramatic difference. With the cover still off we could both hear a high pitched whine, but only if we put our ears right next to it, and even then it wasn't as intense. After he put the back cover on, it was almost impossible to hear even with your ear right next to it.

So under normal conditions (when you're ear isn't right next to it) it's silent now, and I just hope it stays that way! At this point from all the experiences here including my own we know that if there's a high pitched ringing sound it's most likely coming from the power supply.
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post #64 of 186
12/14/11 at 4:39am
I remember having the same issue. I turned Smoothing off and it seems to have helped.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ikari Warrior View Post

Anyone experiencing any smearing with fast action scenes? I have the XVT 65" set right now and video games are practically unplyable on it. Fast moving images leave a blurry trail of after-images behind them. I am looking at the M series 55" or upcoming 65" as a replacement...I've owned the E series 47" and it was terrific with no issues at all. I'm just hoping the M series is closer to the E series rather than last years XVT line.
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post #65 of 186
12/14/11 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ikari Warrior View Post

Anyone experiencing any smearing with fast action scenes? I have the XVT 65" set right now and video games are practically unplyable on it. Fast moving images leave a blurry trail of after-images behind them. I am looking at the M series 55" or upcoming 65" as a replacement...I've owned the E series 47" and it was terrific with no issues at all. I'm just hoping the M series is closer to the E series rather than last years XVT line.

There is a "Game" mode (completely separate from the normal Picture options I previously described) that the M3D4x0SR series offers. I played some Street Fighter IV on my PS3 using this mode and didn't experience any issues. Haven't tried other games yet (I've only had it a week!), so I will try a side scroller like Little Big Planet later and report back.
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post #66 of 186
12/14/11 at 10:11am
anyone use Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [Blu-ray] to calibrate the picture settings on the m3d460sr? the back-light setting seems to be jacking up my calibration. totally new to me. help!!!

btw...bought from costco. it had the jeff gordon box. mine is mounted on a tv stand but i can't hear the high-pitch noise. currently, all sound settings are off picture processing are all off too. my pioneer does all the work.

so far i'm very impressed, especially with the passive 3d. i do see a blue hue during dark-light scenes from movies. super 8 is the best example i have but this could be due to my poor calibration. reference first paragraph...help!!!
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post #67 of 186
12/14/11 at 12:18pm
Yeah the XVT65 has both game mode on and smoothing off and it is still nearly unwatchable for video games. I'm hoping the M Series 55" and 65" don't suffer from the same issue. I don't want to have to take back yet another TV...
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post #68 of 186
12/14/11 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by InLifeISkimped View Post

Bert, you can try going into tv picture settings, and then advanced and turning up Smooth Motion to High, this will insert extra frames into the picture and make quick movements (like a moving football) to look smoother; thoroughly check out all the settings your TV can change. Hope this helps.

Actually I turned off all of the andvanced processing stuff and it looks better. I'll keep messing with it and post my results
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post #69 of 186
12/14/11 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by InLifeISkimped View Post

Bert, you can try going into tv picture settings, and then advanced and turning up Smooth Motion to High, this will insert extra frames into the picture and make quick movements (like a moving football) to look smoother; thoroughly check out all the settings your TV can change. Hope this helps.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Samuraidog View Post

Bert,

I've got the harmony remote too (Harmony 650). It gave me everything but the VIA. I had to do the learning function to program the VIA to the "Guide" button. I also noticed that the dot/dash for sub-channels doesn't work (not a big deal). It seems as if the green and yellow buttons don't do anything.

I also checked the online logitech database and they now have the M3D420SR listed as being a supported device. I'm wondering if someone uploaded the frequencies for the TV settings to their database after I programmed mine.

Just wanted to get your feedback on what buttons work/don't work with your harmony. Thanks.

none of them worked and while the website said the it was supported it's not when you go through the software, the model is not recognized. I had to teach all of the buttons and at first it wasn't learning. I saw a post somewhere that I had to take the Vizio remote out of bluetooth mode. I did that and voila the harmony 650 started learning. Now I don't know how to get it out of RF mode and back to bluetooth. I'm trying to figure the best way to control the TV and my Directtv box. I have the 46"
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post #70 of 186
12/15/11 at 5:52am
How do you get the remote out of BT mode?

I have a harmony 670. All the buttons work except for the menu button. That's the one that gets you into the pic setting. It seems to map it to the VIA. I also had to set up custom buttons but my harmony can't seem to learn the "menu" button. Is that a BT button?
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post #71 of 186
12/15/11 at 8:25am
Here are the instructions for taking the Vizio remote out of Bluetooth Mode

http://vizio.custhelp.com/app/answer...eyboard-remote.

I also ran some calibration tests using a THX disk last night. I'm still trying to figure out of I like the settings. Anyone else try this?
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post #72 of 186
12/17/11 at 7:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by deguia23 View Post

i do see a blue hue during dark-light scenes from movies. super 8 is the best example i have but this could be due to my poor calibration. reference first paragraph...help!!!

Are you seeing that blue hue just when watching 3D? I'm noticing a strange sort of blue shift during scenes of movement in 2D. For example when a character moves relatively quickly, I see what I would describe as a blue halo around the edge of their skin. It's very strange and is starting to bug me. Am I the only one seeing this?
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post #73 of 186
12/18/11 at 4:46am
I saw it too. I turned the smoothing off and it seemed to help. Let us know if that works for you.

Also cnet posted a review of the 55" model. It appears the TVs are pretty different.
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post #74 of 186
12/18/11 at 7:16am
I picked up the 55" last night despite the average cnet review. So far its terrific, matte screen, slider remote, great image even before calibration...its like a combo of the best features from the E47 and the XVT65 that I've tried before. I have not seen that LED blackout issue from the review, the 65" turns off the LED backlighting completely at times (like in the 55 review) but I have not seen the M3d550 do this at all. I definitely need more time with it but so far so good, and no motion blur!!!!
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post #75 of 186
12/18/11 at 11:14am
Just ran into an issue today where if I change inputs on the receiver but kept the same input on the TV the picture settings change on their own. Some advanced picture settings disappear on detain devices too...like DNR, adaptive Luma,etc....even though they had been there before. Anyone experienced this?
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post #76 of 186
12/18/11 at 7:50pm
Well I just couldn't deal with some of the weird image issues I was experiencing with the Vizio TV. It's not a terrible set, but overall I'm disappointed with the picture quality. Once I noticed the "blue halo" effect I couldn't STOP noticing it and no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of it. Also the off axis view is REALLY bad on this set, and the reflective nature of the glossy screen doesn't help. I love Vizio - my other two Vizio sets are terrific - but I think Vizio dropped the ball on this one. I just can't help but feel unsatisfied with it overall.

So I went back to Costco to see what else they have. I found that they currently have the 47" LG 47LW5700 for $300 off the normal price, for a total price of $850 - the same as the Vizio M3D460SR set. It has passive 3D, internet apps, etc. Almost a perfect match to the Vizio set on the spec sheet. Several things where immediately noticeable though. 1) It's a matte screen instead of glossy, 2) it's an IPS screen and the off angle viewing is MUCH better.

So I bought the LG, since I was there. (I'll take back the Vizio soon.) Even in the initial setup, I noticed a better attention to detail compared to the Vizio set. It offers more inputs, didn't have ANY whining from it, and as soon as it connected to the internet it downloaded an update for it's firmware!

The difference in picture quality is like night and day. The LG is head and shoulders above the Vizio model in every way. The picture is better, it includes a built in calibration wizard which is actually quite good, and there are more settings for the picture than I know what to do with! The firmware on the LG is MUCH more powerful and offers both more features and more settings for control of the TV (DLNA and 2D to 3D conversion for example). Since it's a matte screen there aren't any issues with reflection which is a nice plus. I even like the remote better. It's not Bluetooth (the one thing this TV seems to lack, compared to the Vizio), but it's much more comfortable, and I don't miss the QWERTY slide out keyboard because that's so rarely used anyway. The LG does WiFi differently too, Instead of including it built in, it comes with a USB key adapter instead. I actually like this, since if you don't need WiFi you don't have to use it, and I think you could use it successfully on a PC if you wanted to (assuming you could find drivers for it). The 3D glasses that come with it are cheap and ugly however - but that's my biggest complaint so far.

Overall, I just can't recommend the Vizio set when the LG is available for the same price. It's just a much better set overall.
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post #77 of 186
12/18/11 at 10:05pm
i was watching in 2d. 3d...i have not had a chance to experiment on too much for i only have 2 movies. as i said...the tv is nice it's just that blueish halo but i really do think it's my calibration or lack of it. i will have to check out that LG you mentioned in costco.

also, you are right about the axis. i notice it on my netflix screen using the ps3 and the guide view of my directv. not too concerned about those, however.
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post #78 of 186
12/18/11 at 11:55pm
My 42 inch is making the buzzing noise, and after leaving it on for a few hours it gets really warm/hot on the back, the plastic directly over the power board.

Anyone else notice this/ does it only happen when the noise is being made?
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post #79 of 186
12/19/11 at 12:02pm
Ikari,
How much did you get the 55" for? I was thinking of going bigger. Thanks
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post #80 of 186
12/19/11 at 3:38pm
$1398...still working to get the blacks right, they are very washed out right now. It is still doing that weird thing of changing picture settings and removing so picture options when I change inputs on the receiver.
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post #81 of 186
12/19/11 at 6:10pm
The reflective screen was bugging me so this is how I'm watching MNF tonight.

Attachment 231388

Trying to decide which one to keep. Any ideas on the best way to compare?
LL
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post #82 of 186
12/19/11 at 9:30pm
What's the other one, the 55" or an LG?
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post #83 of 186
12/20/11 at 6:08am
that's a LG LW5700. I think I'm keeping it. The colors are a little softer but the reduced reflectiveness is a big deal to me. The 55" Vizio was more than I wanted to spend so I didn't bring it home...
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post #84 of 186
12/20/11 at 6:13am
any ghosting or blue halo's on fast motion objects on the LG?
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post #85 of 186
12/20/11 at 8:39am
Before getting this 42" Vizio, I bought a 42" LG. I liked the LG even better too, but one thing was a deal breaker on the LG--the downward/backward facing speakers. I keep my TV in a cabinet, and I didn't want to buy a soundbar, so the LG had to go back. What a shame. I agree too that the LG had less reflectiveness. The picture was a hair better on the LG too. Absolutely beautiful picture.

The reflectiveness on the Vizio is really the only thing that annoys the heck out of me on this TV.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bert18 View Post

that's a LG LW5700. I think I'm keeping it. The colors are a little softer but the reduced reflectiveness is a big deal to me. The 55" Vizio was more than I wanted to spend so I didn't bring it home...
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post #86 of 186
12/20/11 at 8:45am
Because of your post, out of curiosity, I felt around the back of my 42". Nothing seemed overly warm. But my TV is also not getting the same loud buzzing that some of the others here are experiencing. Good luck.

Quote:
Originally Posted by milemaniac View Post

My 42 inch is making the buzzing noise, and after leaving it on for a few hours it gets really warm/hot on the back, the plastic directly over the power board.

Anyone else notice this/ does it only happen when the noise is being made?
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post #87 of 186
12/23/11 at 6:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by deguia23 View Post

any ghosting or blue halo's on fast motion objects on the LG?

I haven't noticed any yet.
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post #88 of 186
12/23/11 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samuraidog View Post

Before getting this 42" Vizio, I bought a 42" LG. I liked the LG even better too, but one thing was a deal breaker on the LG--the downward/backward facing speakers. I keep my TV in a cabinet, and I didn't want to buy a soundbar, so the LG had to go back. What a shame. I agree too that the LG had less reflectiveness. The picture was a hair better on the LG too. Absolutely beautiful picture.

The reflectiveness on the Vizio is really the only thing that annoys the heck out of me on this TV.

I understand your issue with the tv in the cabinent. I just wanted to say that upgrading your sound with even a cheap receiver and a basic speaker setup will pay off. Once you do it you'll never go back. I suggest Yamaha receivers/speakers for a good sounding but inexpensive setup.
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post #89 of 186
12/23/11 at 7:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuadraQ View Post

Well I just couldn't deal with some of the weird image issues I was experiencing with the Vizio TV. It's not a terrible set, but overall I'm disappointed with the picture quality. Once I noticed the "blue halo" effect I couldn't STOP noticing it and no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of it. Also the off axis view is REALLY bad on this set, and the reflective nature of the glossy screen doesn't help. I love Vizio - my other two Vizio sets are terrific - but I think Vizio dropped the ball on this one. I just can't help but feel unsatisfied with it overall.

So I went back to Costco to see what else they have. I found that they currently have the 47" LG 47LW5700 for $300 off the normal price, for a total price of $850 - the same as the Vizio M3D460SR set. It has passive 3D, internet apps, etc. Almost a perfect match to the Vizio set on the spec sheet. Several things where immediately noticeable though. 1) It's a matte screen instead of glossy, 2) it's an IPS screen and the off angle viewing is MUCH better.

So I bought the LG, since I was there. (I'll take back the Vizio soon.) Even in the initial setup, I noticed a better attention to detail compared to the Vizio set. It offers more inputs, didn't have ANY whining from it, and as soon as it connected to the internet it downloaded an update for it's firmware!

The difference in picture quality is like night and day. The LG is head and shoulders above the Vizio model in every way. The picture is better, it includes a built in calibration wizard which is actually quite good, and there are more settings for the picture than I know what to do with! The firmware on the LG is MUCH more powerful and offers both more features and more settings for control of the TV (DLNA and 2D to 3D conversion for example). Since it's a matte screen there aren't any issues with reflection which is a nice plus. I even like the remote better. It's not Bluetooth (the one thing this TV seems to lack, compared to the Vizio), but it's much more comfortable, and I don't miss the QWERTY slide out keyboard because that's so rarely used anyway. The LG does WiFi differently too, Instead of including it built in, it comes with a USB key adapter instead. I actually like this, since if you don't need WiFi you don't have to use it, and I think you could use it successfully on a PC if you wanted to (assuming you could find drivers for it). The 3D glasses that come with it are cheap and ugly however - but that's my biggest complaint so far.

Overall, I just can't recommend the Vizio set when the LG is available for the same price. It's just a much better set overall.

Technically I don't think the Vizio is a gloss screen. I have two others which are very different (glossy) - a gloss will reflect your image very clearly. If you turn the Vizio off you can tell it's not a clear gloss, it's more of a moderate matte. On a side note, I've only had mine a couple of weeks but I have yet to notice any picture degrading at angle or off-axis. I'm playing with the settings so hopefully that stays good. I too was interested in the LG but I do love the Vizio (though mine does also have a slight squeeeel). Btw, how well does the 2D to 3D conversion work on the LG? Is it worth using or more of a novelty compared to actual 3D filmed movies? I appreciate your input regarding the sound bar in your other post - thinking I'll add one. One other question, if you don't mind... were you using the standard base on your Vizio? It seems to be a little flimsy but I'm using it. The screws were really short too - hoping it holds okay. Thanks for sharing!
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post #90 of 186
12/23/11 at 9:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vandyman1 View Post

Technically I don't think the Vizio is a gloss screen. I have two others which are very different (glossy) - a gloss will reflect your image very clearly. If you turn the Vizio off you can tell it's not a clear gloss, it's more of a moderate matte. On a side note, I've only had mine a couple of weeks but I have yet to notice any picture degrading at angle or off-axis. I'm playing with the settings so hopefully that stays good. I too was interested in the LG but I do love the Vizio (though mine does also have a slight squeeeel). Btw, how well does the 2D to 3D conversion work on the LG? Is it worth using or more of a novelty compared to actual 3D filmed movies? I appreciate your input regarding the sound bar in your other post - thinking I'll add one. One other question, if you don't mind... were you using the standard base on your Vizio? It seems to be a little flimsy but I'm using it. The screws were really short too - hoping it holds okay. Thanks for sharing!

While it's not as glossy as some other screens I've seen, I can't agree that it's not glossy. When the screen is off, you could use it as a mirror. If you haven't seen the colors wash out when looking at it off axis horizontally, then great, but it was very obvious on the set I had. I never used the base of the Vizio because I have an entertainment center that suspends the TV.

Obviously the 2d-3d isn't really great, but it was better than I thought it would be. It's actually kind of a surprise that it can even do it at all. Nevertheless it's no replacement for real 3D content. The difference is obvious.
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