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Vizio E550VL

CNET Reviews staff
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1 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
Like most TV makers, Vizio offers a wide variety of features at different price points. The E0VL series reviewed here lacks the Internet and LED backlight options of the company's flagship XVT3 series, but its spec sheet and price tag hold the real appeal--it's one of the least expensive TVs on the market with 120Hz processing. On the other hand the Vizio's downsides, namely lighter black levels and less-impressive performance when viewed from off-angle, give us some pause when comparing it with other non-LED-based 120Hz LCDs. But if you want this feature set and don't mind a couple of sacrifices, the Vizio E0VL makes a strong value-driven argument.
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2 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
In case you care, the Vizio E0VL isn't quite as slim as LED-based models.
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3 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
Analog video inputs are relatively scarce. The back panel has just two, in the form of one component- and one composite-video.
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4 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
From an ergonomic standpoint, Vizio's clicker is middling at best. We liked the well-differentiated button groupings, but the main keys around the diamond-shaped cursor are too easy to confuse, the little-used "media" button is too prominent, and the lack of a dedicated key to switch aspect ratio is annoying. We did appreciate the three direct input-type keys (HDMI, AV, and TV), however. In addition to standard control-over-HDMI, the remote on the 47- and 55-inch members of the series (but not the 42-incher) can command up to three other devices via infrared.
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5 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
Nope, that stand doesn't swivel.
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6 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
The side panel lacks analog jacks altogether, but the USB does allow photo viewing.
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7 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET
The one distinction offered by the pedestrian-looking, black-on-black frame of the E0VL is the beveled bezel, which is glossy toward the screen and matte away from it such that it resembles a stylized picture frame. That 120Hz badge is not removable.

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