Vizio M3D550KD - Page 2

While this set is edge lit, it does have local dimming. It's one of the reasons the black levels are so good.

I'm curious how the audio is. I'm looking to get one for a bedroom, and extra external speakers is silly. I'm aware most flat screens have crap audio, but CNet doesn't even both to review sound quality. I've been told the HX850 which has PQ probably just above this at $1k more money and terrible sound.
Edited by DoctorM - 7/31/12 at 1:31pm

I'm not sure how to analyze the audio for you other than how it sounds to my wife and I. Tv is in a living room space that is an open layout to adjacent living areas (i.e. the kitchen and dining room simply merge into the living room space, no walls)
In this space, in terms of volume output, I only have to turn it up to 30 to be loud enough to drown out my 5 and 2 year old enough to hear pay attention to the TV. At that output and louder it starts being hard to hold a conversation. As to range, i played some MP3's being streamed to my PS3 and well the bass is pretty weak which i expected, the middle and high range seems decent enough for bedroom viewing though, and if you're wanting it to thump in your bedroom, then i suppose an external sound system is order. Maybe even if its some kinda all in one piece like a sound bar to grant a little more bass.

Used calibration from TweakTV, noticed that it looks to save the sound and picture settings from your different sources. So the picture settings i dial it into on one source, will not by default be passed to another source. At first this is kind of annoying, but can see how itd' be nice to have the flexibility.

I like that the remote is bluetooth, its a little clunky, but doable until a new remote is purchased.

I have to reiterate that the 3d is looking quite nice, even just with downloaded clips, my family totally digs it, and even my 60 yo mother. My kids love reaching their hands out at the screen.

"local dimming" - has Smart Dimming, which according to CNET is 'edge lit with some dimming' - so i don't think its true local dimming.

we like that the 'soap opera effect' can be turn off.

Recommended calibration settings from TweakTV and hdtvcalibration.blogspot says to have the Smart Dimming feature turned off (other than perhaps for movies) - anyone reply as to why that'd be? Would like to find explanations for the different picture features.

So while he does say 'some dimming' he's not saying there is incomplete dimming, he's saying edge lit dimming while not as good as full array local dimming but it is better than not having any. Context is important here.

Thanks for the info on the audio. I'm not sure it helps, I may have to listen at a store.

Glad to hear your 60 year-old mother likes it, since I am buying it for my 61st birthday

happy bday.
You'll dig it I bet!

and if you dont, well, just return it and get something else.

Thanks!

My initial reaction -- I just set it up last night -- is that I love it!

When it's not turned on, it's more reflective than I'm used to, but that and the fact that the power cord is attached are the only problems I have noticed.

The picture is wonderful!

I watched several olympic events last night, and I didn't have motion issues.

It's great!

Now, I just need to hook up a good, but inexpensive, 3D Blu-ray player.

I've been looking for a good LED TV for over two months now. I'm coming from a Samsung UN55B6000 that lost its refresh rate and developed some panel issues. Best Buy took over two months two send someone out to fix it and it never actually got fixed! They eventually offered to replace with something similar. I took them up on their offer and got the Samsung UN55ES6100. For me it sucked. Minor flashlighting, colors seemed washed-out, and the clear-coat screen made the colors look weird and wrong. Long story short, I've had 4 TVs in the last 6 weeks and they've all had minor to major faults that I wouldn't settle for. (Flashlighting, Clouding, and Color)
I read a review on Cnet about the Sony KDL-55HX850 and was immediately sold. Until I read a review on the Vizio M3D550KD. $1000 less than the HX850 with similar PQ, local-dimming, 3-D, and great screen-uniformity? That's a steal! I'm not sure when this set actually came out but I can't find them anywhere but Amazon and Sam's Club. I'm not a member of Sam's Club and don't know anyone who is. It's the same price on Amazon but It seems wrong to me to buy a HDTV online without actually seeing it in action. Does anyone know of more retailers that sell this TV?

Costco and Target carry Vizio, although I'm not sure how many units Target carries.

I was just wondering. This should be able to play 3d .mkv files in SBS format... but wouldn't that make it half width and half height on playback because of how passive 3d works?

First, I don't know if the Vizio plays MKV files. As for the resolution question, assuming the file is 1080p:

It would be half the horizontal resolution because of the SBS format of the file, not because of passive display tech. There is nothing in passive 3d that limits horizontal resolution.

Vertically, you could still get the full resolution in the SBS file itself, but the passive display would send half the lines of the right "side" of the file to one eye and half the lines from the left "side" to the other. So, if effectively halves vertical resolution.

I find this is not terribly noticible at normal seating distances, and for me was a decent trade off to avoid active-shutter flicker and headaches.

Sounds about right. The SBS halves it horizontally and the passive 3d vertically. I thought it worked like that.

Actually, that's an important feature to me. What is the Vizio's ability to play MKV, 3d-MKV, Xvid, DD, DTS, .srt SUBTITLES(!), etc.

I know there is no DLNA, but via USB it should play something.

I've discovered the Sony HX850 (which was my other contender) is crap at this (no DTS, subtitles, and MKV's must be repacked as (M2)TS.
Additionally, you must reformat your USB or HDD to exFAT since NTFS is unrecognized and FAT32 has a file size limitation.

The MKV isn't a deal breaker, but these limitation in addition to Vizio providing a keyboard in the remote, passive 3d and 4pairs of glasses make this sound better and better.

Dumb question, i'm shopping for HDMI cables, but would like to know if this TV i just bought has HDMI ethernet capability? I believe it is HDMI 1.4, does that designation include ethernet or does that need an additional designation?

i play mkv's streamed from a computer to my PS3 using PS3 media server.

thanks

Has anyone programed a logitech remote to this TV? I am worried that since it has a bluetooth remote that you will have to have some type of bluetooth adapter like you do with a PS3 to control it with a universal remote.

I use the SMK Blu-Link Remote. It's bluetooth only for the PS3 but I can learn other buttons with other remotes. Works great with any remote for any device. I'm getting this TV tomorrow at my local Sam's (55) and I sure hope it has IR as well as bluetooth or i'm screwed. I don't want to use two remotes just turn the volume up or down.
On a side-note, Cnet gave this TV a great review but they said it had problems displaying 1080/24p. What is this exactly and do I need to worry about this at all. I have an original 60g PS3 and a Tivo Premeire HD. Both are hooked up via Belkin 12ft. 1.4v high-speed 3D HDMI cables. The only time I've ever seen 1080/24p is on Netflix through my Tivo. I think it always says 1080/60 on my PS3 for games and Blu-rays.

Also, I checked the tag at Sam's Club and it actually said it was 120Hz and 240 SPS. Is this just an error on Sam's Club part or is this TV actually 120Hz like all the samsungs and sonys that have a clear motion rate (CMR) of 240 but really just means 120Hz? Lastly, I went to two different Sam's Clubs in my area and the 47'' and the 55'' M3D550KD were in standard picture mode at both locations. Is this TV's Default setting Sandard instead of Vivid???
Edited by Justin Sullins - 8/4/12 at 7:26pm

I received my M3D550KD last Wednesday. Setup was easy and I used settings from the internet. The picture was great out of the box and improved to excellent using the recommended settings. No artifacts, blurs, or flashing. Mounted it over the fireplace yesterday and it looks great and the picture is great (have it tilted downward so that we watch it straight on). First 3D movie through our Panasonic 3D Bluray player was the free Avatar DVD that came with the player and it was awesome. Have watched a number of other 3D movies in the .mkv format with side by side and top over bottom formats without any problems. We use an old PS3 to play video files from our computer and the internet using PS3 Media Server that goes through our Yamaha receive to the Vizio. we have also enjoyed the Olympic 3D channel on ATT UVerse.

Have had 8 different people watch the 3D and all have been very impressed and none have had headaches or eyestrain. We are very well pleased with this set and love the inexpensive glasses. Had considered a number of other sets before reading a number of positive reviews on this set and deciding to purchase it, which we consider to be an excellent decesion. Will use this mainly for 2D, but the 3D is an excellent option when good content is available.

Are you saying that you haven't played the MKV files direct (through the USB port), but only served from another device? If you have successfully had the Vizio play media files, does it handle text and/or graphic based subtitles?

Edit: Do you mean LITERALLY over a fireplace? I'd strongly recommend you move it. The heat will not do it any good.
Edited by DoctorM - 8/6/12 at 10:46am

HDMI 1.4 is a hardware specification, not a cable spec. Certified High Speed HDMI cables will work for everything. Even ethernet over HDMI, when, and IF, that capability ever becomes available. The current HDMI cables are tested and certified for current and future specs.

Thank you, Otto, I was just going to start doing the same research tonight to buy my first HDMI cables.

I will say I've heard good things about Monoprice's cables, so at least I'll know what I'm looking at.

Monoprice, MediaBridge, BlueJeans all make quality, certified HDMI cables for a very good price. No reason at all to pay the high prices that the other "M" brand charges. Just make sure that the cable you buy is certified for the length of cable you need. I have MediaBridge cables (HDMI, sub-woofer) and have been very happy with them. They do have the ethernet spec but it's useless at this point in time, but just in case the hardware mfrs start offering that, I'll be ready.

Just picked up the M3D550KD last night at Sam's Club. Looks great! The speaker-mesh on the front bottom of the TV is a little uneven(warped), not too big a deal though. My main issue is whenever the screen goes black from changing channels it seems like the backlight flickers. I turned the smart dimming off to no avail. Noticed a fair amount of blooming. So far the blooming is just a minor distraction. Nothing too major at first glance except I have a universal learning remote that i've been using for the past 10 months and I can't get it too learn any buttons from the Vizio Bluetooth Remote. Anyone have the same issues with this set?

Probably cause it's a bluetooth remote only. That is what I have been trying to figure out is if this tv has an IR sensor as well. It would be a bit of bummer if it doesn't as I am in love with my harmony remotes.

I'm positive the TV is IR as well as Bluetooth. I can see the IR sensor on the bottom right of the TV. I tried to learn the Vizio Remote with my Blu-link Learning Remote 6 or 7 times but never got it. I'm just going to get a new Tivo Remote on Amazon and use my universal for my PS3 and Soundbar.
On a side note, the M3D550KD has a great picture and I'm ok that the black level is more grey than black but when I turned my TV on last night I noticed a slight backlight-bleed about 4 or 5 inches down from the top-right of the screen. It seems to come and go with the smart-dimming and it's only about an inch or 2 in length. It's only in that section of the screen. Anyone else seen this? Should I live with it or call Vizio? Aside from this issue I love the TV and don't really want to return it if this is normal.

The documentation that came with the Vizio should say whether it's IR, Bluetooth, or both. At least one would think so. Bluetooth only is kinda dumb. Maybe the IR sensor is there because the same hull is used for other models and Vizio was too lazy to remove it or place a cover (plug) over it. If you're not satisfied with the picture (bleed, flashing, what ever), then take it back. Vizio has a less than stellar track record around here so if you're not completely satisfied, return it.

I'm very happy with TV overall. I'm not shy about returning a TV. This is the 6th TV i've had in the last two months. I can live with the slight bleeding if I know it's the same with other sets. I'm not gonna go through the hassel of taking it off my wall, boxing it up, and hauling a 55'' TV back to the store just to get another TV with the same issue. Anyone notice this on theirs?

6 tv's in two months Sounds a bit excessive to me. Were they all Vizios?

I bought a Samsung UN55B6000 in 2010. It was a great TV but developed some panel issues (grey blotches) and the 120Hz refresh-rate went out. I had a 4 yr Geek Squad warranty and they tried replacing the T-Con Board and changed the ports to no avail. They then ordered a new panel. When the panel came it was bent. Since it had taken so long they asked me if I wanted my TV fixed or a new TV. I took the new TV.
My Wife and I picked out the UN55ES6100F back in June. I did research on it and it checked out. When I hooked it up the colors looked a little off. My reds looked orange and my whites looked purple. I calibrated trhough Disney WOW Blu-Ray and it still looked off. I think it had something to do with the clear-coat screen. So, I took it back to Best Buy and told them I wanted my old tv back. It had already been sold. I then picked out a Sony 55BX520 (CCFL Backlight) and kept the $700.00 difference. Got the tv home and had horrible clouding in the top-portion of the screen on both sides. I did some extensive research on tvs and saw that led tvs aren't made that well anymore. I stumbled upon a great review of Panasonic UT50 so I got it. This TV was very good for a plasma, obviously no backlight problems and the colors were amazing. I had no proplems with it until, for whatever reason stopped working. I turned it off one night to go to bed and it never turned on again. I've never had that happend to a TV before. When I went in the Best Buy to retrun it I saw the Samsung 50" EH6000 for $900.00. I had done research and it too had checked out so I bought it. This tv was great in PQ but had a purple/violet undertone to the picture. It made my Tivo guide, that is supposed to be dark blue, look violet. I did a refund and waited for my corporate check. I was saving for the Sony HX850 until I stumbled on this Vizio M3D550KD.
So, I guess it was only five tvs in two months.

I called Vizio to ask them about the slight backlight-bleed and they said if I can't see it during the day then it is normal. So, I guess people don't watch tv at night with the lights off?

Wow, that is some bad luck You are definitely due for some good luck. Vizio's response seems to be about right, at least from what's been reported here. There are a lot of folks who are quite happy with their sets but if it were me, I'd return it and look at another mfr.

@Justin - And I thought I had bad luck with purchases. You probably won't go wrong with the HX850. This Vizio is a nice alternative if you're on a budget.
Just be aware that Cnet's current rating scheme is a bit awful. They put a lot into design and how thing it is (which is subjective) (eg, they spent way to much time complaining about how the remote on this Vizio remote looked), and value.

So while the picture may be terrible, if it's pretty on your wall and cheap enough it can rank the same or higher than a Sony HX850 even though there is a significant difference in PQ.

Good luck. But as they say, 6th time lucky. (I'm sure someone's said that).

Oh, also, if you get some friendly people at BB, they will look up Google's shopping listing for a TV and price match a lower price. So while the HX850 is price fixed by Sony, you might be able to save another $3-400.

Btw, I think the "If you can't see it during the day", is not that people don't watch TV's at night. It's probably how they judge the threshold for normal bleeding versus excessive. If you can see it during the day, return it, if you can't, that's probably par for the set.

I'm actually very happy with the PQ on this Vizio M3Dxx0KD. I'm sure the HX850 is considerably better in many ways but for the $1000 difference in price I can't complain. This backlight-bleed is really my only concern. It's not distracting at all but I know it's there and I keep looking for it and that itself makes it distracting. I will mention that it only seems to be there 50% of the time due to the dimming feature. I saw it last night and gently pushed in on the part of the bezel right next to the bleed and seemed to go away slightly. If it weren't for the PQ being so good I would've already returned it.

I will take some pics of my little backlight issue tonight and post them tomorrow. I would greatly appreciate fellow M3dxx0kd owners if they could take some pics of their screen completely dark, or so to speak.