Vizio VX20L - yet Another Budget LCD HDTV (that's a Very Good Performer)

It may not sound as reputable as Sony, Sharp, or Samsung, but Vizio makes quite decent high definition TVs, especially in the budget LCD segment. There have been many good reviews floating around for the 32" VX32L, the bigger companion to the VX20L. I am pleased to say that the VX20L is no different, and performs admirably and in similar fashion to the bigger Vizio sets. For about $400, it is surprisingly well endowed with multiple inputs and array of features. It has one of every input on the back, such as HDMI, component, composite, and S-video. There is also a VGA input so it can double as a PC monitor, but I would not suggest using this set as a dedicated monitor for your computer. Audio is acceptable, but there are only stereo composite inputs, else save for a headphone jack on the side of the set. The speakers are somewhat tinny, and I would suggest turning up the bass, turning down the treble, and turning off surround sound in the menu in order to improve sound quality. Since this is a smaller set designed for a small room, I would not expect home theater-quality audio from this unit. The picture quality, fortunately, is much better than audio. The TV is capable of up to 1080i, and has several kinds of tuners (ATSC/NTSC and QAM) so you will be able to pick up over the air HD signals or unscrambled signals from cable. The difference between watching a program on our old Trinitron tube TV and this LCD TV is clear as night and day.

HD programs are crisper and brighter than their standard definition counterparts are, and the most useful thing I have found is the data info that comes on HD channels telling what programs are on and what quality settings they are at. Enough about HD programming however, the TV does a great job displaying images whether it is HD, DVD, or whatever. You have an incredible amount of control over picture quality features, ranging from basic options like sharpness and brightness to managing individual color temperatures. Some of these options are not even found on bigger sets. Nothing is perfect though and this set has minor flaws, which compared overall are not grievous, but should give some reconsideration to potential buyers. First off, although the set does a very good job with deep blacks and whites, there are some shadowing and murkiness issues. Very dark areas can appear reddish, although I do not have this problem often (and can only find it when concentrating). The screen has a limited viewing angle, which is about 140 or 160 degrees from where you view the screen off-center. The further off center you look, the grayer the image becomes. To be fair every set has this problem, but it can be more noticeable on this and other Vizio sets. I also found myself adjusting the picture controls every day, but I attribute this more towards programming varying from station to station and to the fact I have only had the TV for less than a week. Overall, this set outdoes other similarly priced 20" sets and is a great budget LCD HDTV like its bigger bothers.