VIZIO JV50P 50" Plasma HDTV

VIZIO has released a new plasma, named as Jive. Why Jive you say? Well, after seeing all the stuff that this TV can do, you can’t help but jump and jive to this all-in-one home theater package. The JV50P is a 50-inch monster that comes in bundled with a wireless subwoofer and two rear surround speakers. When you add in the TV’s three integrated speakers, you have a complete 5.1 channel surround system.

The VIZIO comes in with a native resolution of 1366 x 768, this unit does not rival the newest class of 1080p plasmas. Even though it accepts 1080p and 1080i sources, they will be downscaled to 720p. But then again, when it comes to TV, performance is the ultimate measuring stick.

Out of the box, you’ll find a subwoofer and rear speakers neatly packed around the 120 pound TV, which comes with its stand attached – and can be removed if you wish to mount it to your walls. The screen is rimmed with a two inch black frame with the front and center speakers encased in the silver grille below. The control buttons are indented on the right side of the bezel. The only marking on the front is the VIZIO logo that lights up when the TV is plugged in. Also, when this HDTV senses that it is receiving a true 5.1 audio source, a red 5.1 illuminates inside the center channel grille.

As far as connectivitiy is concerned, the connection panel on the back does not stint on inputs with three HDMIs with a stereo pair of Audio inputs, two Component inputs (YPbPr) with matching stereo Audio Ins, two Composite (with Audio), one VGA (15 pin D-Sub) with a stereo Audio In mini-plug, and a Service port.

Interestingly, S-Video inputs are nowhere to be found. In addition, an SPDIF (optical) digital Audio In and a separate SPDIF Out are provided. The connectors are facing downward, which makes them much harder to view and access.

As for performance, this TV gives justice when displaying HD content. The picture quality on the VIZIO was marvelous. Color was luscious, in part because the plasma’s blacks are deep. However, there might be some problem with its display of Standard Definition material.

The viewing angle on the JV50P is very wide. Even from a severe angle, the color remains saturated. If you are still worried about plasma’s reputation for being susceptible to image retention, ghosting will never happen on the JV50P. VIZIO provides an Image Cleaner feature, which will remove ghosts.

The Vizio JV50P is a high-def Plasma television that attempts to make the home theater experience easier to setup with its integrated 5.1 audio system. At a 720p resolution, and a panel supplied by LG, the Vizio’s picture quality is comparable to most mid-priced plasmas. Where the JV50P differentiates itself is by offering more features than the other offerings in this price. The biggest difference is the bundling of the wireless audio system, alongside other aspects such as flexible Picture-in-Picture options.

Sources:
http://tech.yahoo.com
http://reviews.cnet.com
http://www.retrevo.com