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Vizio VX20L 20" LCD TV (Widescreen, 1366x768, 700:1, HDTV)

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Pending
  • At a Glance
  • 1366 by 768 resolution
  • LCD display
  • HDMI input

We haven't had our hands on this product, but we know which features matter. Here's how the Vizio VX20L 20" LCD TV (Widescreen, 1366x768, 700:1, HDTV) measures up:

Popular Resolution For Moderately Priced TVs

All modern HDTVs are fixed-pixel displays. The number of pixels a display has determines its maximum resolution and thus the fineness of detail it can reproduce. Resolution is normally expressed as pixel width versus pixel height. This television's resolution is 1366 by 768, meaning it has 1366 pixel columns by 768 pixel rows. This resolution is popular for moderately priced plasma and LCD televisions. A key characteristic of all fixed-pixel displays is that incoming signals not at the set's native resolution must be scaled to match that resolution. The quality of this mathematical upconversion or downconversion can significantly affect the picture, especially for ordinary standard-definition TV signals. Inferior scaling may soften the picture, exaggerate noise, or cause some edges to appear slightly jagged.

LCD Display Technology

LCD televisions, like this one, are relatively thin, lightweight panels with a light source at the rear and a lattice of tiny cells filled with liquid crystals in the middle. They perform better than plasmas in brightly lit rooms and don't suffer image burn-in. But because the liquid crystal is never completely opaque, reproducing black or near-black color is harder for LCDs. Picture quality can deteriorate when viewing from far off to the side; and because liquid crystals respond relatively slowly to changes in applied voltage, fast-moving objects on the screen may appear to blur slightly. But LCD technology continues to improve, and these problems are less of an issue today (look for models that tout a 120-Hz refresh rate and a wide viewing angle). LCDs tend to be cheaper than comparable-size plasmas and are available in smaller screen sizes (37 inches and below).

Supports Modern HD Inputs

HDTV sets now routinely have at least one HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) input, and usually two, three, or four. An HDMI connection carries digital video and, in many cases, audio from HD cable and satellite receivers, Blu-ray Disc players, and some DVD players and game consoles to the TV over a single cable. Because of their convenience and quality, HDMI connections, when they are available, are generally preferable to other types. Normally an HDTV set will also have two, or possibly three, component-video inputs as well. You can also expect your TV to have component video as well as one or two standard three-wire A/V inputs (composite video plus stereo audio), and one or two RF inputs for direct antenna or cable-TV input.

 

User Reviews for Vizio VX20L 20" LCD TV (Widescreen, 1366x768, 700:1, HDTV)

  • Reviewed by: nitterhouse

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Excellent picture quality, plenty of connection options, nice remote

    Weaknesses: None so far

    Overall Evaluation: This is my second Vizio HD Tv (42" 1080i) and have nothing but praise for the brand. Picture quality is tremendous even from sharp angles. The remote is very detailed with well positioned buttons. The menu system is well thought out and provides quite a bit of options for customization.Overall a quality, high-performance set. Would definitely recommend.

  • Reviewed by: bobbert00

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Great picture quality, easy to set up, good organization for remote control

    Weaknesses: None yet

    Overall Evaluation: This LCD was very easy to set up. I used the wall mount in my kitchen. It is a great size for a smaller room. It was very easy to mount and set up the TV for use. The picture quality was superior in my comparison at Circuit City. The remote is very logical and the buttons are of adequate size. It allows to select channels and change many options. I now have access to many additional channels. I would purchase this LCD again.

See all user reviews

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