Overview of the Vizio M-series (M50-D1, M55-D0, M60-D1, M65-D0, M70-D3, M80-D3)

After the successful launch of the sales of P-Series 4K TVs with full-mass LED backlighting in 2014, Vizio has released new models in 2015 and 2016, which are superior in performance to their younger counterparts. Models D-Series and M-Series 2015 merged with the lines, released in 2016, and the P-Series line was modified to the second generation of 4K HDR TVs. In our review of the Vizio M-series 2016, we will try to talk about the innovations of this line.

In 2016, the Vizio P-Series line is flagship, and at a price it's the main competitor of 4K TVs in general. The new M-Series line is a continuation of the flagship, but with some "lightweight" characteristics, so these TVs stand on the second step of the Vizio. M-Series 2016 release offers a combination of excellent image, excellent processing of dynamic scenes, improved features of Smart TV, and at the same time affordable price.

The new line of TVs Vizio M-series is one of the preferred models because of the good combination of price and quality in the modern market. Of course, the P-Series is slightly better, but the M-Series 2016 is cheaper with HDR support, great colors, good handling of dynamic scenes and smart TV functions. We can assume that the combination of price and such characteristics is the most optimal option in the market for 4K devices.

In this M-series, as well as the P-series, there is support for Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 technologies, which allows viewing various content with maximum compatibility of HDR, whether streaming video or an optional external 4K Blu-ray source. M-Series allows you to view the latest state-of-the-art 4K content technologies, even if you take into account new developments in the standard in 2017.

Vizio offers the buyer a wide range of diagonal screens for all budgets. Depending on the screen size, various specifications are applied, but more on this later. Briefly, the M-Series with a diagonal of 50 inches uses a 32-zone local dimming system, while the price of this model will be about $ 840, and the model with the 80 diagonal M-Series expanded to 64-band dimming, and the price of such a huge screen is $ 4000 .

Of course, $ 4,000 is expensive, but agree that 80 inches is just a monster! On the other hand, the 60-inch Vizio M60-D1 TV has a slightly lower contrast due to the use of the IPS matrix, but nevertheless provides excellent color reproduction.

The manufacturer has made some adjustments to the lighting system. Thorough and compact full-mass LED backlighting is used in the M-series. As already mentioned, for a TV with 50 diagonal M50-D1 uses a 32-band dimming system, starting with the models in 55 "and up to 80" in the M-Series uses 64 zone lighting. This is not as effective as the 126 and 128 zone screen dimming used in the P-Series, but it works perfectly well in the line in question. For such a price for the final device, this indicator is excellent.

In conclusion, I want to mention the operating system. Vizio uses its own pseudo operating system based on the SmartCast application. This is a complete upgrade and transition to a new level of the Vizio 4K TV interface starting in 2016. In fact, SmartCast is the platform displayed in your mobile device (tablet or tablet control panel).

Commands are transmitted through the user device. You can install on Android or iOS mobile devices. The M-Series includes a 6-inch tablet for this purpose. The list of available models of Vizio M-series 2016 TVs is shown in the table of characteristics.

As the manufacturer suggests, dissatisfied with TVs Vizio M-Series 4K 2016 almost should not be. However, as we can guess, a fly in the ointment is always in the barrel of honey. Therefore, we will try to note the weaknesses of the M-Series.

First. The imaginary operating system SmartCast and its applications can sometimes be buggy, sad as it may seem. If SmartCast is installed on your smartphone or tablet, and the connection between SmartCast and 4K TV is lost, then you will have to wait for some time to restore the connection to BlueZub. Some users claimed a momentary restoration of the connection!

In addition, the "responsiveness" of the TV to the given teams is at times inferior to simple control panels. Therefore, the second "defect" of SmartCast is more irritating to the user than the first one - this is the input delay.

In addition, the M-series TVs do not give such a vivid image that the user wanted to see with such a local dimming system. Although this is a minor disadvantage, end consumers need to know about this. The overall level of peak brightness and contrast is excellent, but they do not exactly match the Samsung SUHD. It is possible that such a comparison is too biased, but an advanced user will be slightly disappointed.

Vizio TVs perfectly scale non-4K content, but only if the input format is Full HD - there's nothing to argue about. But if the conversion occurs from 720p or 480p SD, then some distortion of the image is possible. As a rule, almost all models of 4K TVs have similar problems, beginning in 2015.

In general, the M-Series TVs from Vizio 2016 create only positive reviews. The overall image quality at the height, and the price of the TV sets them on a par with the TVs of the more advanced brands 4K TV. Perhaps, if to compare with the models of 2015, then all the pluses on the face. No wonder the manufacturer pays special attention to the M-Series in terms of quality characteristics and recommends to purchase.

• The available diagonals of the screens are 50, 54.6, 64.5, 75 and 80 inches.
• The Smart TV platform is presented by Vizio SmartCast Mobile Smart TV.
• Support for HEVC (H.265, H.264).
• Support for VP9.
• Scaling from HD to UHD.
• Supports HDCP 2.2.
• Screen refresh rate 120 Hz (Clear Action 360 technology) on models with diagonals of 50 and 55 inches, 240 Hz (Clear Action 720) in models with diagonals of 60, 65, 70 and 80 inches.
• Full-array LED backlighting with multizone local dimming.
• The screen resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels in UHD mode.
• Wireless communication - built-in Wi-Fi adapter, RJ-45 Ethernet port.
• Control panel: via Android tablet with SmartCast service, additional conventional keypad.
• Interfaces: five HDMI 2.0a ports (50-inch model - four), two USB ports, RJ-45 Ethernet port, digital optical audio output, component input, RCA audio output.
• The sound system supports DTS Studio Sound and DTS TruSurround.
• Contrast 5140: 1.
• The black level is 0.021 cd / m2.
• 3D technology is not available.
• The processor is eight-core.

Support for Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 became available after the software update in 2016 from the smallest to the largest model Vizio M-Series 4K UHD TV. Here it is worth noting that the manufacturer is cunning, declaring this. If you remember, UHD Alliance certifies TVs with a peak brightness of at least 1100 nits, and a contrast level of 5000: 1 or more. Definitely Samsung SUHD 4K TV and Vizio P-Series 2016 model year fall under the HDR certification with a big advantage. Therefore, M-Series TVs can be attributed in part to the HDR-spec.

The Vizio SmartCast application is present in all 4K TVs in 2016, and starting with the 55-inch model, the M-Series comes with a 6-inch Full HD tablet on the Android OS. It serves as a control panel with the installed SmartCast application. This is an innovation for 4K TVs and, in a certain sense, it is convenient and practical. The user can additionally use it at his own discretion. In addition, for "younger" models, it became possible to use "personal" devices by installing SmartCast. In addition to the pluses, there are disadvantages, which we described above.

After models Vizio 4K TV 2014 and 2015, the manufacturer decided to include in the specification support decoding formats HEVC and VP9. Since early 2016, TVs support HEVC and VP9 format. This allows you to use a wider range to view UHD streaming content. The presence of Dolby Vision and HDR10 provide playback of HDR content from sources: 4K Blu-ray discs, online Amazon Prime, Vudu and Netflix. These facts indicate a significant improvement in the quality of reproduced content compared to 2015.

Most of the previously reviewed premium TVs were equipped with a quad-core processor. But with the release of the Vizio M-Series (as in the Vizio P-Series), more powerful 8-core processes began to be installed, providing excellent content processing. In general, the new processor provides not only excellent streaming, but also playback of all video on the screen, including dynamic scenes on M-series TVs.

The M-Series TVs have almost all interfaces for connecting external devices, which are common in all modern 4K TV. Five HDMI 2.0 ports (after the software update appear in the HDMI 2.0a specification), a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and the usual component / composite and digital audio output. The connection to the Internet is via the Ethernet RJ-45 port or via the built-in Wi-Fi adapter, both interfaces serve for streaming content and for managing via the SmartCast console (if there is no Bluetooth connection).

It is worth noting that users do not need to use the SmartCast application itself to access online content. If you are familiar with Vudu or Netflix applications (or any other application with Cast support), you can call the application directly through the TV screen. The same operation can be done through a Chrome browser on your laptop or computer, as you like.

Price of M-series 2016

The Vizio M-Series 4K TV range is represented by a large number of screen diagonals, so the price will be to the liking of any buyer. For example, the price of the Vizio M50-D1 with a 50-inch diagonal can be found for $ 850. Do you agree that for Vizio M55-D0 this is an excellent price? For all other models prices in the following price categories:

Vizio M80-D3 - the screen of 80 inches $ 4000;

Vizio M70-D3 - the screen of 70 inches $ 2000;

Vizio M65-D0 - the screen is 65 inches $ 1500;

Vizio M60-D1 - the screen of 60 inches $ 1300;

Vizio M55-D0 - the screen of 55 inches $ 1000.

In conclusion, the review of Vizio M-Series 4K TV is summarized. According to the opinions of professionals, the positive aspects are more than minor problems. Focusing on the price of the TV and the reliability of the device, you can note good quality. Nevertheless, if someone does not like how low-resolution video is scaled, then it's worth considering more expensive models from other brands.

In addition, it is desirable for the manufacturer to increase the peak brightness of the image, based on their technology of local dimming of the screen. The color scheme is generally good, but in the Vizio P-Series it is noticeably better. If you return to the OS, then the SmartCast application can sometimes "fall off". This will strain the user with reconnects, although this problem can be solved in the future by updating the software. By the way, the question of how to order Vizio TV in Russia remains topical.

Pros

• Excellent contrast image.

• Convenient management via SmartCast.

• Greater color accuracy.

• Good handling of dynamic scenes.

• Excellent price.

• Rich deep black color.

• Large selection of sizes of screen diagonals and prices.

• Support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

Minuses

• SmartCast sometimes buggy.

• The peak brightness of the image could be better.

• No HDR enhanced color gamut Wide Color Gamut.