Vizio XVT3D710CM Review

71" LCD with LED backlighting, Vizio CinemaWide UltraWide and Theater 3D, 2560 X 1080p resolution, Razor LED

by Robert Wiley, Senior Editor

This is Vizio's highest end line TV for 2012 and includes all the company's newest and best features. Vizio is getting serious about their larger screen LED screens with this series and it's completely rebuilt and differentiated product. The reason is the ultra wide screens which is set up perfectly for the consummate movie viewer that wants to see their movie collection without any black bars on the top and bottom of the screen.

Picture and Viewing Features

The Vizio XVT3D710CM has 240Hz processing while the smaller models in the series have 120Hz. This is understandable since we pick up more easily on the huge screen on this TV motion artifacts and judder related to fast motion and side to side camera panning problems. The 240Hz is designed to display 240hz in smoother motion. However, the feature can be distracting and we recommend turning it off during movie playback.

Another significant difference in the XVT3D710CM is the implementation of Full Array LED backlighting which gives super detailed and separated light through put to those areas the TV deems most important. Vizio calls the feature Smart Dimming which alludes to the 120 zones the TV has segmented processing for. This helps contrast, black levels, and generates a dynamic contrast ratio that Vizio reports as 20,000,000:1.

The Vizio XVT3D710CM's WFHD panel for which the CinemaWide name refers is a 2560 X 1080 widescreen panel. This means that the ultrawide 21:9 aspect ration of the screen matches up perfectly with the 2.35:1 aspect ratio shown on most movies. Due to this perfect ration alignment there are no black bars on the top and bottom of the screen for the XVT3D580CM. However, normal TV programming will require the black bars down the sides of the screen or either using one of the algorithmic ratio adjustments (labeled as aspect ration or picture size) to "stretch" the image to fit into the screen.

Audio

Vizio's new SRS TruSurround suite has a speaker system designed to give you a more immersive experience with speakers specifically designed for use in flat panel TVs.

Internet Applications and Connectivity

Vizio is launching XVT3D710CM, an HDTV with Vizio Internet Apps (V.I.A.). V.I.A. is a service that allows users access everything on the web—all without a computer or TV box. V.I.A. also gives users instant access to popular programs like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Pandora, Rhapsody, VUDU, and Yahoo! TV Widgets. With just the click of a button, all these services are available for the user's entertainment.

This V.I.A. TV also lets people shop at the Yahoo! Connected TV Store for TV apps from familiar brands like Amazon, CBS, QVC, USA Today, Fandango, Pandora, Showtime, and others. Users can find a selection of free apps. The Yahoo! Connected TV Store gives users wide access to movies, shows, sports, photos, music, news, and social networking sites. And with the VAP430 Stream Player, a versatile entertainment portal, users can access even more web content, video services, and content from their hard drives.

Standout Features

2580 X 1080 21:9 aspect ratio

Smart TV through V.I.A.

Optional Accessory

Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard for Web Browser

4 Pairs Passive 3D glasses

Wifi built in

Having reviewed and written about Television Technology for over 10 years, Wiley never tires of researching the newest qualitative trends related to the technology. Most people do not get excited about possibilities behind the latest video engine...Wiley does. Read more about Robert