Vizio M series: A lot of picture quality for not much money
Howdy folks, this is the Vizio M Series.
It's one of the company's mid-price TVs for 2016, but includes a list of features you'd associate with high-end television.
It has worthwhile picture enhancements like high dynamic range and full array local dimming.
As well as a remote that's actually a full function six inch Android tablet.
The TV itself has relative generic styling with a dark gray finish and a thicker panel.
One distinguishing touch are the unusual stand legs which are made of bent metal and remind me of clothes hangers.
A tablet remote, on the other hand, is pretty unusual.
And Visio thought it out well, even including a nifty magnetic wireless charging cradle Control of the TV is handled by Visio's SmartCast app, which replaces a traditional on screen menu for stuff like picture settings and changing info.
Visio also includes a simple standard remote, but it only handles basic functions.
One advantage of the tablet is more apps than the traditional smart TV system.
A big disadvantage, however, is that you have to go through some extra clicks on the tablet to get stuff like Netflix and Hulu up and running on the screen.
It's the same process used by Google's Chromecast device and it's great if you're used to using your phone for everything.
I find it more cumbersome than a standard TV-based app, however.
So if I bought an M-Series, I'd probably connect a streaming device like a Roku or AppleTV instead of using the tablet.
As ambivalent as I am about the tablet-based control, I love M-Series picture quality.
For the money it has an excellent image thanks to the local dimming system that creates deep black levels and lots of pop without uneven lighting across the screen that can plague some competitors.
Set can also handle the latest high dynamic range sources in both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision format, whether from Netflix or Vudu.
In the end, the best thing about the M series isn't the free tablet, the excellent picture for a very affordable price.
[MUSIC]
Up Next
TCL Debuts 115-inch TV for $20,000
Up Next
TCL Debuts 115-inch TV for $20,000
Super Bowl TV Shopping? Here Are Our Favorite Picks
Super Bowl TV Shopping? Here Are Our Favorite Picks
Best TVs of CES 2024
Best TVs of CES 2024
The Hisense 110UX Could Be the Brightest TV Yet
The Hisense 110UX Could Be the Brightest TV Yet
I Saw C-Seed's $200,000 Folding TV
I Saw C-Seed's $200,000 Folding TV
This 115-Inch TCL TV Makes Your Screen Seem Tiny
This 115-Inch TCL TV Makes Your Screen Seem Tiny
LG's 2024 OLED TVs Cut Wires, Boost Brightness
LG's 2024 OLED TVs Cut Wires, Boost Brightness
LG Transparent OLED Turns From TV Into Animated Art
LG Transparent OLED Turns From TV Into Animated Art
Samsung Shows World's First Transparent MicroLED, 8K Wireless Projector
Samsung Shows World's First Transparent MicroLED, 8K Wireless Projector
Best TVs of 2023: From High-End to Budget, to the Price-to-Picture Sweet Spot
Best TVs of 2023: From High-End to Budget, to the Price-to-Picture Sweet Spot
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
TCL Debuts 115-inch TV for $20,000
TCL Debuts 115-inch TV for $20,000
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Ultimate Good Lock Tips and Tricks
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Ultimate Good Lock Tips and Tricks
Apple's iPad Pro Event Was a Flop
Apple's iPad Pro Event Was a Flop
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Switch 2 Will Be Officially Announced Within Fiscal Year, Nintendo Says
Switch 2 Will Be Officially Announced Within Fiscal Year, Nintendo Says
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Google's Pixel 8A Is Here: What's New and Different
Google's Pixel 8A Is Here: What's New and Different
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Latest How To All how to videos
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Ultimate Good Lock Tips and Tricks
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Ultimate Good Lock Tips and Tricks
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3