Vizio VO32L review

Black level: The black levels of the VO32L compared favorably with the other sets in our comparison, looking just a smidgen lighter than the Sony KDL-32M4000. We especially appreciated the Vizio's smooth rise out of black, making shadow detail appear particularly lifelike, especially compared with the KDL-32M4000, where shadow detail was particularly difficult to make out. We used Batman Begins on Blu-ray as our test disc, and we could barely make out the texture of the dark caves outside Wayne Manor on the KDL-32M400. The VO32L did a better job of making those details apparent, while still maintaining relatively deep overall black levels.

Color accuracy: As evidenced by the Geek Box scores, the VO32L's primary colors are very close to the HDTV standard, and grayscale tracking, although not perfect, is acceptable. In our user-menu calibration, we had to sacrifice some of the accuracy in darker areas--which tended toward green--in order to maintain a better color throughout the grayscale. The VO32L's tendency to look green in dark material was particularly evident throughout the shadowy Batman Begins. For instance, at the beginning of the film, when Christian Bale is stuck in jail, the bricks of the prison cell looked greenish gray on the Vizio, while every other set had a more neutral, natural color. On less extreme portions of the grayscale--such as flesh tones--however, the VO32L performed much better, looking more saturated than the TC-32LX85 and pushing red less than the KDL-32M4000.

Video processing: Unlike many HDTVs we've tested, the Vizio properly de-interlaced 1080i film-based sources. Only the Vizio and the LG passed the initial film-resolution test pattern on Silicon Optix's HQV test suite on Blu-ray, and both sets also looked very detailed on the slow pan across Raymond James Stadium. The other sets in our comparison had significant moiré in the grandstands, and an overall loss of detail. Like most HDTVs we test, the VO32L had no problem with video-based de-interlacing tests.

We did find ourselves frustrated that we could not eliminate the overscan on the VO32L. The KDL-32M4000 was the only set in our lineup that did not overscan significantly, but even so, the Vizio obscured more of the screen than any of the other sets. It's not a dealbreaker, but on wide-screen programs you'll be missing some of the picture.

Uniformity: Screen uniformity, overall, was about slightly below average for the VO32L. In very dark scenes, we could see a slightly lighter patch toward the upper left-hand corner of the screen, and also a smaller light area in the upper right-hand corner on a full gray field. While it looked better than the KDL-32M4000, it didn't match up to the TC-32LX85's very even screen. On the other hand, the inconsistencies of the VO32L showed up very rarely in program material. Even with all the dark scenes in Batman Begins, we rarely found ourselves distracted by it, while we noticed unevenness a bit more on the Sony.

The bigger issue for us was the VO32L's less-than-stellar off-angle performance. The VO32L was very sensitive to moving vertically off-axis, with the screen washing out and turning red. The same effect happened when moving horizontally off-axis to a lesser extent, although it was still one of the worse performers in the lineup. The KDL-32M4000 was considerably more resistant to off-angle issues, and while the TC-32LX85 had similar problems, we found its bluish tinge less noticeable.

Bright lighting: We appreciated the matte finish of the Vizio's screen, which reflected significantly less light compared with the Sony, and much less light compared with most plasmas.

Standard-definition: The VO32L's standard-definition performance was average. DVD sources looked sharp, with the VO32L displaying all the lines of a resolution test pattern. Program material was detailed, as well; we could make out fine details on a bridge and marble stairs. Its ability to smooth out jaggies was less impressive, as footage of a waving flag had many jagged edges, as did test patterns with moving white lines. On the upside, noise reduction worked well, and we didn't see any moiré in the grandstands as a racecar drove by, indicating the VO32L has solid 2:3 pull-down processing.

PC: First, we tested the VO32L's ability as a computer display using its HDMI input. We found it wouldn't accept a 1,366x768 signal over HDMI, and the next best alternative was 1,280x720p. In this mode, there was enough overscan that the Windows taskbar was almost completely obscured. In addition, the tests from DisplayMate looked subpar, making the HDMI input generally a poor solution for those looking to use a PC.

We had more luck using the VGA-style PC input. We were able to set the resolution to 1,366x768, and after using the nifty "auto-adjust" feature, the desktop was perfectly aligned on the VO32L. It aced DisplayMate's resolution tests and text looked crisp from our seating distance of about 7 feet.

How we test TVs.

Juice box

	Picture settings
	Default	Calibrated	Power Save
Picture on (watts)	104.9	61.14	N/A
Picture on (watts/sq. inch)	0.24	0.14	N/A
Standby (watts)	0	0	N/A
Cost per year	$32.47	$18.92	N/A
Score (considering size)	Good
Score (overall)	Good

*Cost per year based on 2007 average U.S. residential electricity cost of 10.6 cents per kw/hr at 8 hours on/16 hours off per day.

Check out the picture settings we found best for viewing the Vizio VO32L in a completely dark room via the HDMI input with a 1080p, film-based source.