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Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 Picture
7.0
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.5
Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.7
TV Shows
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.4
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
8.0
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.6
HDR Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.2
HDR Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.3
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench

The Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 is a good budget LED TV. It performs good enough across the board, with average-good picture quality. It handles motion very well. Note: this review is for the 1080p variant of the D Series. We reviewed the 4k UHD separately here.

Our Verdict

7.0 Mixed Usage

For mixed usage, the Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 is quite average across the board. It is better for video games, but when viewed from the side the picture quality diminishes rapidly.

Pros
  • Good basic picture quality.
  • Low input lag and motion blur, which is great for video games.
Cons
  • Loss of picture quality at an angle.
  • Cable and DVDs look slightly blurrier than most TVs.
6.5 Movies

Fine for movies. Average picture quality, but lacking features found on high-end TVs. Nice deep blacks and good black uniformity.

6.7 TV Shows

Average performance in a bright living room. Picture quality deteriorates very quickly when viewed from the side. Reflections are handled well but TV doesn't get bright enough to combat glare.

7.4 Sports

Average for watching sports. Motion is handled well, but average picture quality and uniformity of field. Must remain directly in front of TV or quality diminishes rapidly.

8.0 Video Games

Great for video games. Picture quality is average but handles motion well with low motion blur. Good input lag for fast paced games.

5.6 HDR Movies

Doesn't support HDR. Doesn't accept either HDR format. No wider color gamut. Can't get very bright highlights. Average picture quality.

5.2 HDR Gaming

Doesn't support HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Can't produce bright highlights and doesn't support a wide color gamut.

5.3 PC Monitor

Not bad as a PC monitor. Only a 1080p TV but handles motion well. Input lag is quite good so feels responsive.

  • 7.0 Mixed Usage
  • 6.5 Movies
  • 6.7 TV Shows
  • 7.4 Sports
  • 8.0 Video Games
  • 5.6 HDR Movies
  • 5.2 HDR Gaming
  • 5.3 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated May 18, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated May 16, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 TV has a lot of variants. The one we bought is the 50" with SKU D50-D1. The 43" model D43-D1 has an IPS panel that produce weaker blacks and contrast but wider/better viewing angle. Except for this particular size, we expect our review to be valid for the other sizes of the Vizio D 1080p 2016. Some other differences can be found depending on sizes as illustrated in the table below. Our review is not valid for the 4k UHD variations of the Vizio D Series which we have reviewed separately here.

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Vizio D Series doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Size Model Effective Refresh Rate Real Refresh Rate HDMI # Speakers DTS TruVolume Backlight Local Dimming Zones
32" D32-D1 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 5W x 2 Yes Direct N/A
40" D40-D1 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 8W x 2 Yes Direct N/A
43" D43-D1 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 Yes FALD 5
43" D43-D2 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 10W x 2 No FALD 5
48" D48-D0 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 10W x 2 Yes FALD 5
50" D50-D1 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 10W x 2 Yes FALD 12
55" D55-D2 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 15W x 2 No FALD 12
60" D60-D3 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 10W x 2 No FALD 10
65" D65-D2 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 15W x 2 No FALD 16
70" D70-D3 120 Hz 60 Hz 3 10W x 2 No FALD 12

Compared To Other TVs

Comparison picture

Top left: Vizio E 1080p 2015 (E60-C3). Bottom left: Sony W650D (KDL-40W650D). Middle: Vizio D Series 1080p (D50-D1). Top right: LG LF6300 (49LF6300). Bottom right: TCL FS3750 (48FS3750). Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 has a lot of bang for the buck. It is sold cheaper than many comparable TVs for the same kind of features. This makes it easy to recommend.

Test Results

Design
6.0
Design
Style
Curved No

From watching directly in front, the design of the Vizio D Series 2016 looks good. From the side, or in a setup where the back of the TV can be seen, it appears bulky. It feels a bit cheap with all parts being made out of plastic, but it is not the worst looking TV.

Design
Stand

Two plastic stands sturdily holds the TV on each of its sides.

Footprint of the 50" TV stand: 10.2" x 39"

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 200x200

The back of the TV looks bulky but well thought out since no connections will be blocked if the TV is wall mounted.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.55" (1.4 cm)

Made of plastic, borders have an average thickness.

Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 2.44" (6.2 cm)

The bulkiness of the TV is apparent when watched from the side.

Picture Quality
8.9
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
5,594 : 1

The D Series has deep blacks which results in a great contrast ratio that makes the picture pops.

2.0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array

Poor local dimming, especially for a full array. Some edge-lit TVs even do better than this. In our video, you can't see much blooming, but that's because it dims the dot too much.

7.2
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
306 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
265 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
245 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
304 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
338 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
362 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
264 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
245 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
304 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
338 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
362 cd/m²

It can get fairly bright but not anywhere near the level of higher end HDR TVs. For regular content, this is good enough.

not tested
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
N/A
HDR Peak 2% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 10% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 25% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 50% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 100% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 2% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 10% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 25% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 50% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 100% Window
N/A

This TV does not support HDR.

7.0
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
4.115%
50% DSE
0.186%

The uniformity of the screen isn't good and a yellow tint can be seen both in the middle and on the left side of the display. It is still better than an average LED TV.

4.2
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
VA
Color Shift
20°
Brightness
32°
Black Level
10°

The television has poor viewing angles, colors become washed out and the blacks become gray. It is recommended to be sitting in front of the television rather than at an angle.

9.0
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
0.981%

Great black uniformity. Not much clouding can be seen on a totally black screen. Great for dark scenes.

8.0
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
8 Bit

The Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 uses an 8 bit panel. Gradations can be seen in the shift of colors. This won't be a problem in regular content although some banding can be seen on some scenes.

8.4
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
2.6
Color dE
3.3745
Gamma
2.07

Out of the box, red is a little prominent and give a little too warm look to the picture. White balance dE isn't too high and doesn't create problems.

9.6
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
0.25
Color dE
1.2605
Gamma
2.19

Most issues could be fixed with calibration. White balance dE got very low and a few color issues could be resolved.

7.5
Picture Quality
480p Input

Compared to other TVs, the Vizio D 1080p 2016 is just a little worse with 480p content. As long as the seating aren't too close from the TV, this shouldn't be a big concern.

7.5
Picture Quality
720p Input

Same can be said with 720p content. The Vizio D 1080p 2016 isn't the best with that resolution but isn't bad either. Cable channels will looks a bit soft.

10
Picture Quality
1080p Input

In 1080p, it is excellent and offers feature rich details.

0
Picture Quality
4k Input

Doesn't have 4k, but it is available in a 4k version that we reviewed here.

7.1
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
78.26%
DCI P3 uv
84.72%
Rec 2020 xy
56.56%
Rec 2020 uv
63.36%

Good for regular Rec.709 content only. Colors cannot get more saturated like TVs that support HDR.

6.1
Picture Quality
Color Volume
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
70.218%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
40.342%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
51.461%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
29.611%

The color volume is below average. The TV can't produce very saturated colors at any luminance level.

10
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR after 0 min recovery
0%
IR after 2 min recovery
0%
IR after 4 min recovery
0%
IR after 6 min recovery
0%
IR after 8 min recovery
0%
IR after 10 min recovery
0%
8.0
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
2%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

The television handles reflections well and will be capable of getting bright which should be enough to for most living room environments.

0
Picture Quality
3D
3D
No
3D Type
No
2D to 3D
No

No 3D feature.

Picture Quality
Pixels
Type LED
Motion
8.9
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Response Time
11.9 ms
Overshoot
1 ms

The response time is low, therefore there is almost no motion blur. The trail following the moving logo in our test is short and faint. The down transitions are slower than the up transitions, which results in an orange tone between the letters of our logo. Enabling "Clear Action" can make the image even clearer, but will make the television flicker a great deal which may bother some.

9.2
Motion
Image Flicker
PWM Dimming Frequency
480 Hz
BFI
Yes
BFI Frequency
60 Hz
BFI In Game Mode
Yes

The D Series 1080p 2016 uses PWM to dim the backlight at a frequency of 480 Hz. It is possible to reduce the backlight frequency to 60Hz to clear up motion, but this produces a visible flicker.

7.1
Motion
24p Playback
Judder-free 24p
Yes
Judder-free 24p via 60p
No
Judder-free 24p via 60i
No

Only 24p sources are completely judder-free. 60p and 60i have constant judder.

0
Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
No
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
No

There is no motion interpolation features on this TV.

Inputs
8.7
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
26.5 ms
1080p With Interpolation
N/A
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
26.5 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
4k @ 60Hz
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
N/A

The input lag of this television is low, which will be great for fast pace first person shooter games. Enabling 'Game' as a picture mode will enable both the 'Clear Action' and 'Game Low Latency' settings, which will help with motion blur, but as a result the input lag will go to 30.7ms, and you will have more flickering during game play.

0
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 1080p
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No
1080p @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No

Update: From further testing we have concluded that all current Vizio TVs that we have reviewed do not display 4:4:4, but 4:2:2. This is due to the TV inputs accepting 4:4:4 but actually displaying 4:2:2. 4:2:2 is better than 4:2:0, but slightly blurrier for text than 4:4:4.

Inputs
Side Inputs
Inputs
Rear Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
HDMI 3
USB 1
Digital Optical Audio Out 1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 0
Analog Audio Out RCA 1
Component In 1
Composite In 1 (shared)
Tuner (Cable/Ant) 1
Ethernet 1
DisplayPort 0
IR In 0
SD/SDHC 0
Inputs
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
Yes
Dolby Vision
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
No
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth No
ARC Yes (HDMI 1)
USB 3 No
HDCP 2.2 No
CEC Yes
MHL No
Variable Analog Audio Out No
Sound Quality
7.0
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
3.28 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
3.11 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
4.45 dB SPL
Max
86.5 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
127 Hz

Good frequency response, however, there may be some pumping and compression present at higher volumes. Low-end cutoff and maximum loudness are below average, even for a TV.

5.4
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.026
Distortion @ 80
0.101
Distortion @ Max
0.19

Relatively high distortion number overall, however, at higher volumes the amount of rise in distortion is acceptable and the sound doesn't fall apart (unlike some other TVs).

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

Most of the popular apps are available through the smart interface and the navigation through the different menus is straightforward.

6.0
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS Basic

The smart interface of the Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 isn't the prettiest but is straightforward enough to use and offers a good variety of apps. Most of the interface is quick and easy to navigate in. Without the help of a better remote, long text input can be a little awkward.

10
Smart Features
Ads
Ad-free
Yes
Opt-out
N/A
Smart Features
TV Controls

A button located behind the left side of the TV can be use for limited controls such as opening the TV and switching inputs. It can still be accessed if the TV is mounted on a wall.

Smart Features
Remote
Remote Basic

The remote is easy to use and has some handy popular apps shortcuts.

Smart Features
In The Box

- Remote
- Batteries
- Manual

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 44 W
Power Consumption (Max) 124 W
Firmware 1.90.34.0000