For years Samsung has been promoting TVs with quantum dots — tiny molecules that enhance the colour on LCD TV screens — underneath its QLED model. Now Vizio, after placing out only a single TV mannequin with quantum dots in 2018, goes quantum with a vengeance this 12 months. Vizio’s onslaught of 2019 dots begins with the inexpensive M-Series Quantum, which prices a whole bunch lower than any Samsung QLED. The M’s image is great, in the identical league with dearer units just like the Samsung Q7 and Sony X950G in my side-by-side comparisons. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, however when it comes to pure picture high quality it is robust to justify spending extra for a kind of units over the Vizio.But what about spending about the identical on a TCL 6 sequence? That Roku-powered TCL is my present Editors’ Choice TV, however it’s greater than a 12 months previous and lacks quantum dots. In my comparisons the Vizio did present superior HDR colour to the TCL, however the TCL received in different areas, specifically brightness. I’d nonetheless advocate the TCL to most consumers due to its superior good TV system, however the Vizio remains to be a superb alternative. As lengthy you be sure to’re getting the appropriate mannequin of M-Series Quantum.
Some 2019 M-Series TVs are worse than othersUnlike most TV makers, Vizio usually consists of TVs with important variations in the identical sequence. Unfortunately, the variations between fashions in 2019 M-Series Quantum are main sufficient that I needed to exclude nearly all of 2019 TVs within the sequence from this evaluate.There are two distinct sub-sets of 2019 M-Series Quantum TVs, one with a “7” within the mannequin identify (which I’ll name M7s), and ones with an “8” (M8s). The M8 fashions value extra, have extra native dimming zones and better brightness. Otherwise the M7 and M8 have basically the identical options and specs, together with quantum dots. Here’s how they break down.Vizio M8 vs M7 2019 TVs
Model
Size (inches)
Quantum Dots
Local dimming zones
Peak mild output (nits)
M658-G1
65
Yes
90
600
M558-G1
55
Yes
90
600
M657-G0
65
Yes
20
400
M557-G0
55
Yes
16
400
M507-G1
50
Yes
16
400
M437-G1
43
Yes
12
400
There are two M8 fashions (65 and 55-inch) and 4 M7 fashions (65-, 55-, 50- and 43-inch). I reviewed a 65-inch M8 and am assured the 55-inch measurement will carry out in the same method, so it is included on this evaluate.I did not evaluate any of the 4 M7 fashions, nonetheless, so they don’t seem to be included on this evaluate. With considerably fewer native dimming zones and decrease brightness, I do not assume they will carry out in addition to the M8 mannequin I did evaluate, so they will not get the identical rankings. If I do evaluate an M7 mannequin I’ll replace this part.To make it extra complicated, many retailers together with Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Club and Costco carry each M7 and M8 fashions (as of June 2019 Amazon and Best Buy do not promote M7s, solely M8s). Currently the M8 is about $100 greater than the M7. Caveat emptor.View full gallery
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Minimalist design, sparse smartsThe cupboard of the M-Series Quantum is usually minimalist for at this time’s TVs — little or no bezel across the display, barely thicker alongside the underside — however would not appear low-cost. The corners are rounded on the highest and the stand legs skinny and matte black like the remainder of the body.Vizio’s distant has been unchanged for years and stays one in every of my least favourite. Yes, it will get the job accomplished, however in comparison with the simplicity of Roku and Samsung remotes, or the developed wands of LG and Sony, it is an also-ran.View full gallery
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The identical goes for Vizio’s good TV system. The Quantum has the most recent model, “Smartcast 3.0,” which hundreds sooner than earlier than, however it’s nonetheless sluggish in comparison with different programs, specifically Roku. With the Vizio subsequent to a TCL 6 sequence Roku TV I moved by menus, launched apps and began streams from Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, and the Roku was a lot sooner, specifically at loading its dwelling web page. Vizio has added a number of apps and now permits me to rearrange apps on the underside, however the principle display, stuffed with a random collection of TV exhibits and flicks I did not care about, remains to be worse than on some other present TV.App choice lags behind different good TVs and there isn’t any longer a YouTube app (discovered on earlier variations). To watch YouTube movies, or any of the opposite a whole bunch of apps not a part of Vizio’s system, you will use the solid operate in your cellphone to connect with the TV. The Vizio’s Chromecast built-in characteristic is neat for phone-centric customers, however much less handy for individuals used to on-screen apps. The capability to make use of your iPhone ($1,000 at Amazon) or iPad with Apple AirPlay on Vizio TVs is coming this summer season, however I did not get to check it for this evaluate. Vizio would not have any voice functionality constructed into its distant however the TV will work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home ($79 at Walmart) audio system.Key options
Display expertise
LED LCD
LED backlight
Full array with native dimming
Resolution
4K
HDR appropriate
HDR10/Dolby Vision
Smart TV:
Smartcast 3.0
Remote:
Standard
More zones, cheaper dotsThe greatest picture high quality enhancements over final 12 months’s M-Series are extra zones of full-array native dimming (FALD) and the addition of quantum dots. FALD is my favourite addition to for LCD image high quality as a result of it improves all-important distinction and black ranges. The variety of dimmable zones is a vital specification as a result of it controls how exact the dimming will be. More zones would not essentially imply higher image high quality, however it normally helps. Both sizes within the M8 sequence have a formidable 90 zones, wonderful for a TV at this worth degree.Quantum dots, in the meantime, permit the M-Series to realize higher HDR colour. The TV delivered a comparable colour gamut to more-expensive QD-equipped TVs, equivalent to Samsung’s QLEDs, in my measurements.The M-Series has a 60Hz refresh fee panel — Vizio’s declare of “120Hz effective” is faux information. It lacks a setting to have interaction MEMC (movement estimation, movement compensation), aka the Soap Opera Effect, as discovered on the dearer Vizio P- and PX-Series, in addition to TCL’s 6 sequence. All of the sizes within the M-Series use VA panels, not the IPS panels discovered on some sizes in earlier years. Vizio helps each main forms of HDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, within the M-Series. So does each different main TV maker besides Samsung, which lacks Dolby Vision help.View full gallery
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4 HDMI inputs (All model 2.0)1 analog composite video input1 USB portRF antenna tuner inputEthernet portOptical digital audio outputStereo analog audio outputUnlike some 2019 TV makers Vizio is not supporting any HDMI 2.1 options like auto sport mode and variable refresh fee, however most consumers will not miss them. Otherwise the collection of connections matches opponents.