V Inc. Vizio P50 Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers are impressed with the black levels, shadow details and color rendition of the 50-inch Vizio P50 HDTV plasma TV, especially considering the price. The VizioP50 does a great job displaying DVDs. The connectivity is good and includes two HDMI inputs. This Vizio plasma TV includes a QAM-capable digital tuner so you can receive over-the-air digital signals and unscrambled cable programming without an external box. The basic feature set includes picture-in-picture, another plus.

What the reviewers don't like:
Reviewers report seeing excessive false contouring in dark areas of images; this could affect your movie-watching experience. Furthermore, experts say the Vizio P50 HDTV can't pass 'blacker-than-black' signal levels, limiting the contrast ratio. The color temperature is too blue out of the box and color temperature presets are missing, so you may have to spend some time adjusting the color. A few testers say the fan can be loud.

V Inc. Vizio P50 review highlights

According to test results, the picture quality of Vizio P50 HDTV doesn't beat that of Pioneer or Panasonic 50-inch plasma TVs. However, most reviewers agree that it is not all that far behind, and is certainly good enough to satisfy even moderately picky viewers. When it comes to price, however, the Vizio P50 holds a significant advantage. For example, the Pioneer PDP-5070HD (*est. $2,600) boasts a picture quality that many say is among the best available, and is loaded with features, but it costs considerably more. So while image quality isn't the best, reviews say the Vizio P50 is a solid performer and a great value.

The 50-inch Vizio P50 HDTV is one of the best values among plasma TVs, and it gets recommendations from a wide variety of reviewers. The report on the Vizio P50 at Sound & Vision magazine is detailed and complete, and it includes technical test results. Gear Digest's review of the Vizio P50 plasma TV is also long and detailed, but it’s more subjective, and there's no indication that any formal lab testing has been done. Consumer Reports includes the Vizio P50 in its latest update. Testing is fair and balanced, but discussion is very short. CNet.com and The Perfect Vision also report on the Vizio P50 HDTV, though they base their coverage on the discontinued but very similar Vizio P50HDM. Home Theater Magazine's report is short and disappointing, reading more like a new product announcement than a review.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Sound & Vision Magazine
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Vizio P50 HDTV 50-inch Plasma HDTV
Al Griffin
Dec. 2006

This review of the Vizio P50 is fairly long and detailed. While it presents lots of technical details, the report is still easy to read and understand. Although the magazine does not provide a rating so users can compare TVs, it does award a Sound & Vision Certified and Recommended tag to the TVs it considers to be the best overall, including the Vizio P50.

2. Gear Digest
The Vizio P50 HDTV: A Quality 50
Chris Iannicello
Nov. 28, 2006

While this review lacks some of the technical information found in the review at Sound & Vision magazine, it does a good job of describing the performance of the Vizio P50 from a demanding user's point of view. Another plus is that the report is very well illustrated.

3. Consumer Reports
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Plasma TV Reviews
Editors of Consumer Reports
Feb. 2007

Consumer Reports reviews plasma TVs on a regular basis. Information includes a chart that shows where each model (including the Vizio P50), stands relative to the competition, and makes recommendations as to which plasma TVs are good choices based on performance and value. Unfortunately, while testing is fair and competent, discussion about the individual tests is very limited, meaning you won't get too much specific guidance beyond the ratings and recommendations.

4. CNet.com
Vizio P50 HDTV review
Kevin Miller
Aug. 15, 2006

CNet.com's report on the Vizio P50 is based on their test of the older Vizio P50 HDM, which is said to be identical except that the P50 includes analog and digital tuners. This review does a good job rating the Vizio plasma TV in relation to its low price. In addition, several dozen users have posted their own reviews at CNet.com.

5. The Perfect Vision
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2006 The Perfect Vision Editors' Choice Awards: Vizio P50 HDTV
Editors of The Perfect Vision
Jan. 2007

The Perfect Vision covers the Vizio P50 HDTV as part of its annual Editors' Choice awards article. The review, however, is based on an earlier test of the similar P50 HDM. The editors are impressed by the P50's performance, features, styling and price, noting that adding tuners while keeping the price low makes the Vizio HDTV a good value.

6. Home Theater Magazine
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Vizio P50 HDTV review
Shane Buettner
Sept. 2006

This review of the Vizio P50 plasma TV is a disappointment compared to many of Home Theater Magazine's other reports. It is only a few lines long and reads more like a press release than a true review.

7. CircuitCity.com
Vizio 50" Plasma HDTV review
Contributors to CircuitCity.com

Over 250 users have posted their own reviews of the Vizio P50 HDTV at CircuitCity.com. While most are brief, a few go into a fair amount of detail. This site has the largest number of user reviews for this TV.

8. AVSForum.com
Plasma Flat Panel Displays
Contributors to AVSForum.com

This discussion site has a large number of posts regarding the Vizio P50. It takes a while to weed through all the comments, but many posts cover problems, fixes and other specifics.

Also see full report: Plasma TV