Vizio's VW37L Budget 37" LCD, it's NO VU37L!
Written: Nov 09 '08
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Pros: Great Image quality
Cons: Not many inputs & outputs, HORRIBLE noise for HD content
The Bottom Line: I'd still steer clear of this HDTV just for the lack of additional inputs and no analog audio output, not to mention the sound problem.
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| buggman's Full Review: Vizio VW37L 37-inch LCD HDTV |
Vizio VW37L 37” LCD HDTV
This was my first experience with Vizio’s “low end” LCD HDTV.
Although it’s a different product than the VU37L that I also review, there are some similarities that will come through in each review.
Never thinking that Vizio would skimp on quality or features after my experience with their 42” LCD, I purchased the VW37L locally. I was almost immediately surprised to find out (after I opened the box & removed the TV) that there are far less inputs & outputs than on my 42” Vizio purchased from the same retailer earlier this year.
Inputs:
2 HDMI (one with separate audio if needed)
2 Component (red blue & green RCA’s for video & red/white RCA’s for audio)
1 Composite (yellow RCA for video & red/white RCA’s for audio)
1 s-video input that shares audio inputs with the composite input
1 VGA connection plus 3.5mm stereo audio jack for computer
Coax for cable or antenna
Outputs:
SPDIF digital audio
*ABSOLUTELY NO Red & White stereo RCA’s for analog audio
All of these inputs & outputs are located on the back, lower center portion of the TV.
Oddly enough, there is a blank panel on the middle left hand side of the case where the secondary inputs are located on my 42” Vizio. Here’s where Vizio skimps out.
The lack of a composite input means that if you have more than one VCR, etc. you’ll need an additional A/V switch just to be able to use your components. Also, the blank inputs panel shows that Vizio has used or plans to use these features, just not on this TV.
All of the inputs & outputs that are included are color coded and labeled for easy identification.
Unfortunately, there is NO analog audio output. No way to use this TV with a basic home theatre with standard RCA audio connections. There’s also no affordable way to convert the digital SPDIF audio connection to analog. It can be done, but the components to do this will cost more than the TV itself. This was one of the reasons I returned the TV after a day or so.
After further research online, I found the Vizio VU37L (not the VW37L) model that has analog audio outputs.
The TV has built in 20 watt speakers that sound pretty good, but if you dig around in the setup menus (you have to change each inputs settings to your specs), you’ll find that there are options for simulated surround that really sounds like a surround sound system.
Unfortunately, the sound only sounds good on Standard Definition programming. Any digital or HD programming, either by cable or antenna had this horrible bacon frying in a skillet sound that would not go away. Try as I might, every High Definition signal still had that horrible sound coming from the speakers.
I switched coax cables, changed from cable to antenna, and re-routed the cables to ensure no EMF interference, but no luck. This TV would not quit making noise unless I turned the volume to ZERO. With no way to output analog audio and no headphone option, I would have went deaf within a few hours of listening to this TV with it’s built in speakers.
I called Vizio’s tech support & explained this issue, to which they replied “we’ve never heard of this problem before… maybe it’s your cable…” I politely explained my thorough troubleshooting (and my many years of electrical experience) and I asked if they’d like to hear what the TV sounds like as I placed my cordless phone in front of the TV. They again said they’d never heard of this (even though they literally heard it over the phone) and said there wasn’t anything they could do. This solidified my decision to return the TV ASAP.
As with the VU37L, you must set up each input’s settings: color, sound, etc. separately. There are no global settings to carry over from one to another. If you set up the TV (cable or antenna), you have to set up the Component, Composite, HDMI & PC settings on their own, otherwise the will look vastly different.
PC input:
I never got around to testing the PC input because I didn’t need any more problems to deal with after the sound issues.
Image quality:
The image quality was quite nice, even though I couldn’t actually listen to any HD programming. Standard definition TV is quite watchable, while 720p & 1080i high definition signals look amazing. I never got around to connecting my up-converting DVD player via HDMI for the same audio problems.
Remote:
This TV (as well as the VU37L I later purchased as a replacement) uses the same remote control and I simply didn’t care for it at all. The only way to change to the PC input is to cycle through the inputs by entering the input menu, scrolling down & waiting for the input to be automatically selected. This was simply bad product design on the remote. Luckily, the remote for my 42” Vizio works on this 37” Vizio as well as many other Vizio LCD HDTV’s. A little search on that big online auction site resulted in me purchasing an identical remote (to the one that came with my 42” Vizio) for use with my new 37” Vizio.
After replacing the original remote with my “online auction site” Vizio remote, I can easily switch between inputs and access all the other functions with less menu searching.
The original Vizio remote was pretty simple, with large volume & channel buttons & a few of the inputs had their own buttons, except for the PC input (as described earlier).
On the right hand side of the TV are manual controls for power, channel, volume, etc.
This HDTV weighs in at about 40 pounds & is easily moved by just one person.
For the initial setup, you need to select cable or antenna & let the TV’s analog & digital tuners search for all the available channels. This is pretty much standard practice for all HDTV’s, including Vizio. The scan process normally takes about 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll need to scan antenna separately from antenna through the menu.
Even though this TV has analog and digital tuners, you can’t utilize both at the same time. If you have cable AND an antenna, you’ll need to switch cables (antenna/cable tv) or add an A-B switch to make things a little easier. You cannot have cable and antenna connected at the same time, nor can you automatically switch between the two within the TV menu. You’ll also need to scan them individually.
To switch from cable to antenna (there’s only one coax input on the TV), I have a coax cable from the TV going to an A-B switch. The A input goes to cable TV, while the B input goes to my antenna. When I want to watch cable I select cable from the menu & press the A button on the switch. When I want to switch to antenna, I have to change my A-B switch to antenna & go into the menu to select antenna as the input.
I don’t see why TV manufacturers can’t just add an internal A-B switch that’s controlled in the menu setup.
With up to 1080i resolution & 1366 x 768 for PC, the image quality is great.
Another thing to remember is that not all programs are broadcast in 16x9 widescreen format. You can select widescreen or normal (even panoramic if you have the remote I do) views to adjust the picture size. If you watch a normal 4x3 program stretched to fit 16x9, you’ll notice that everything is wider but shorter than in the normal 4x3 mode. In normal mode, you’ll see black bars on each side of the screen, but the picture will not be stretched or distorted as in widescreen.
I’ve got used to watching 4x3 programs stretched to 16x9, everybody looks a little fatter & shorter.
If you’re using a DVD player, game console, etc, you’ll need to enter the setup menu of the player & select 16x9 or widescreen to take full advantage of your widescreen movies. Don’t forget to enable HDMI & progressive scan on your DVD players.
I was only able to test the coax input due to the horrible sound issue described above.
As with my other Vizio LCD HDTV’s, there were noticeable scuffs on the screen. It’s only noticeable when the TV is turned off, but every single Vizio TV I’ve owned, opened or returned have had scuffs on the actual screen.
Vizio only gives a 1 year warranty on their TV’s, but most retailers offer extended warranties. Luckily, I didn’t waste the extra $70 for a warranty on a TV I returned within a week.
I’m disappointed that Vizio sells this VW37L which is basically a stripped down version of the VU37L. Both LCD’s are the same price, but the VW version has fewer inputs & no outputs. Don’t make the same mistake I did, go with the VU37L!
At about $750 (including tax) it’s a bit pricey, especially when you can’t listen to any HD programming, which is what I bought the TV for… image and audio.
As with several Vizio HDTV’s, this model is only sold by Wal-Mart.
With great image quality, but bad sound, sparse inputs & no analog audio outputs, I’d recommend you save yourself the headache & buy the VU version online.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 740
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Epinions.com ID:
buggman
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Reviews written: 113
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