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Vizio E Series 4k 2016 TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
Vizio E Series 4k 2016 Picture
6.9
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.2
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
6.8
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.5
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.8
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
6.7
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
This TV was replaced by the Vizio E Series 2017

The Vizio E Series 4k 2016 that we reviewed has a average picture quality for a 4k UHD TV. It has a lot of blur on fast action movements and its picture quality deteriorates quickly as soon as it is viewed slightly from the side. Only movies revealed to be a decent experience on it.

Our Verdict

6.9 Mixed Usage

Average TV for mixed usage. Picture quality is OK, but lots of problems with fast movement. Gray uniformity is average. Only movies appear quite good.

Pros
  • Good contrast ratio and uniform blacks
Cons
  • Picture quickly deteriorates when viewed from the side
  • Fast motion appears blurry
  • No built-in tuner
7.2 Movies

Fairly good for watching movies in a dark room. Picture quality is average but has quite deep blacks. Colors can be calibrated to be quite accurate. Plays blu-rays smoothly.

6.7 TV Shows

Average performance in a bright living room. Okay at dealing with reflections but can't get bright to compete with glare. Picture quality diminishes rapidly when viewed from the side. Lacks tuner.

6.8 Sports

Average sports performance. Although playing fields appear uniform, any motion has a long visible trail. When viewed from the side, picture quality deteriorates quickly.

7.5 Video Games

Average for gamers. Although the input lag is good, any fast moving scenes have lots of blur. Upscaling of old consoles is average.

6.8 HDR Movies

Doesn't support HDR. Limited color gamut and can't get bright highlights. Average picture quality.

6.7 PC Monitor

Not good for a PC monitor. Although the input lag is good, it doesn't support chroma for clear text. Lots of motion blur results in a trail following movement.

  • 6.9 Mixed Usage
  • 7.2 Movies
  • 6.7 TV Shows
  • 6.8 Sports
  • 7.5 Video Games
  • 6.8 HDR Movies
  • 5.2 HDR Gaming
  • 6.7 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated Jun 13, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated Jun 02, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Vizio E Series 4K TV that we bought is the 48" with SKU E48U-D0. Different sizes have different panel provenances, so it is possible our review doesn't represent exactly all sizes. If someone's Vizio E Series 4k doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.  

Note: This review does not apply to the 1080p variant of the Vizio E, which we will review separately.                                                                                                                                                                         

Size Model Effective Refresh Rate Real Refresh Rate USB # Speakers Local Dimming Zones
43" E43u-D2 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 10
48" E48u-D0 120 Hz 60 Hz 1 15W x 2 10
50" E50u-D2 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 12
55" E55u-D2 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 10
55" E55u-D0 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 15W x 2 10
60" E60u-D3 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 10
65" E65u-D3 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 12
70" E70u-D3 120 Hz 60 Hz 2 10W x 2 12

Compared To Other TVs

Comparison picture

Top left: Samsung KU6300 (UN55KU6300). Bottom left: TCL US5800 (55US5800). Middle: Vizio E Series 4k 2016 (E48u-D0). Top right: Vizio P Series 2016 (P65-C1). Bottom right: Vizio D Series 4k 2016 (D50u-D1).  Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The Vizio E 4k 2016 that we reviewed is hard to recommend because of the amount of motion blur it has. Other similarly priced TVs performs better and make more sense when it comes to a buying decision. 

Test Results

Design
6.0
Design
Style
Curved No

Although better than last year design, the Vizio E Series 4k 2016 still doesn't rival higher end TVs. It is still a thick TV but gone is the blocky design. The back of the TV has smoother curves now. The stand is separated into two feet.  

Design
Stand

The stand is sturdy and has a curious design because of all the holes in the feet.

Footprint of the 48" TV stand: 10" x 39.2"

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 200x200

The back appears smoother than on last year model and this year's Vizio D. All connections can be accessed when the TV is wall mounted which is good.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.75" (1.9 cm)

The side of the borders have a textured finish and the thickness is average.

Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 3.11" (7.9 cm)

Still a fairly thick TV when viewed from the side although it looks smoother than last year blocky design. It will stick out if wall mounted.

Picture Quality
8.1
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
3,340 : 1

The contrast ratio provides good performance in dark scenes, however the blacks appear slightly gray in a completely dark room.

3.0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array

The TV has a full-array backlight, but doesn't have good local dimming performance. The entire screen dims, including bright objects, and highlights flicker. Depending on the TV in the series, there are either 10 or 12 local dimming zones.

7.0
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
299 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
114 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
165 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
167 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
327 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
341 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
114 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
165 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
165 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
327 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
341 cd/m²

The Vizio E Series 2016 has a bad SDR peak brightness. This TV can get very bright, and the local dimming dims too much the small highlights. This makes this TV not the best option if you have a bright room since it won't get bright enough to fight glare.

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

Update 02/09/2016: With the latest firmware update (3.0.12.2) The 55 inch and larger models of the Vizio E Series 4k 2016 are now HDR compatible.

6.6
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
4.409%
50% DSE
0.207%

The uniformity of the TV is average, with the sides appearing darker and some lighter bands visible. The dirty screen effect is average, and will be visible when panning across a field.

4.4
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
VA
Color Shift
20°
Brightness
32°
Black Level
25°

As soon as viewers are slightly off axis, the picture deteriorates. It has one of the worst viewing angles that we measured. Part of this is due to the horizontal pixel sub-structure. See the 'Pixels' section for more details.

8.2
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
1.418%

There is good black uniformity, with only some clouding visible. Due to the narrow viewing angle, the sides appear slightly brighter in dark scenes.

8.5
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
8 Bit

The gradient appears very consistent with only slight tints. 8 bit gradations and dithering are visible.

7.4
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
4.95
Color dE
4.476
Gamma
2.4

Out of the box, the pre-calibration on this TV was average. There is a great deal of issues for the white balance dE as well as the color dE.

9.6
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
0.59
Color dE
1.0682
Gamma
2.19

The only possible way to fix the issues that were apparent in the pre-calibration was with the use of a handheld device. By downloading the 'Vizio SmartCast' application we were able to adjust most of the settings on the television, but it was a tedious process.

7.0
Picture Quality
480p Input

Like other Vizio TVs, DVDs content upscaling is below average. Some small detail like the sail boat ropes look choppy and the general image looks soft.

7.0
Picture Quality
720p Input

Cable content will also look soft after being upscaled. Small details like the small ripples on the sail protective covering are lost.

9.0
Picture Quality
1080p Input

Blu-rays upscaling is done without any problems and the image quality is very good.

10
Picture Quality
4k Input

4k content look good on the Vizio E series 4k 2016.

6.7
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
72.98%
DCI P3 uv
84.98%
Rec 2020 xy
51.58%
Rec 2020 uv
57.98%

The Vizio E-Series 2016 doesn't have a wide range of colors and as such it will only be enough for Rec. 709 content.

5.7
Picture Quality
Color Volume
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
63.716%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
27.998%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
46.371%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
20.442%

Although the larger variants of the E Series 4k 2016 has been updated to support HDR, it can't produce the saturated colors necessary for an improved image.

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%
7.5
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
2%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

Reflections can appear large and diffused but can be seen through as long as they aren't too bright.

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

The pixel sub-structure is horizontal much like the Sony W650D, R510C and the TCL FS3800 that we reviewed. This kind of pixel alignment results in narrower horizontal viewing angle but slightly better vertical viewing angle, like for a bedroom where the TV is usually a little above the viewers eye level.

Motion
4.4
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Response Time
36.7 ms
Overshoot
0 ms

This TV is horrible when it comes to dealing with motion blur, there is a long trail behind the logo that can be seen fairly well. The response time is quite high as well with most of the transition taking a fair amount of time. The backlight of the TV isn't flicker free, which may annoy some.

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

The Vizio E Series 4k 2016 has the 'Clear Action' option which reduces the backlight frequency and helps to clear up motion a bit.

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

24p content over a 24Hz signal is displayed with no judder, however judder is experienced when playing 24p movies over a 60Hz signal. Game mode reduces some of the judder, but it is still present.

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

Unlike the cheaper D Series 4k 2016, this TV doesn't have any motion interpolation setting.

Inputs
7.3
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
46.1 ms
1080p With Interpolation
N/A
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
47 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
46.7 ms
4k @ 60Hz
38.1 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
39.3 ms
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
N/A

Update 02/09/2016: Retested with the newest firmware (3.0.12.2). The input lag under a 1080p resolution is now higher than before by almost 15 ms, but on the other hand, the 4k input lag is now around 15 ms better than before. Note that the 55" and larger models of the Vizio E Series 4k 2016 are now compatible with HDR.

8.0
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 4k
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes

Update 02/09/2016: Retested with the newest firmware (3.0.12.2) and now the Vizio E Series 4k 2016 can now display the chroma subsampling correctly when set in the 'Computer' picture mode.

Inputs
Side Inputs
Inputs
Rear Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
HDMI 4
USB 2
Digital Optical Audio Out 1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 0
Analog Audio Out RCA 1
Component In 1
Composite In 0
Tuner (Cable/Ant) 0
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
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth Yes
ARC Yes (HDMI 1)
USB 3 No
HDCP 2.2 Yes
CEC Yes
MHL No
Variable Analog Audio Out Yes

Update 02/09/2016: With the latest firmware update (3.0.12.2) The 55" models and up of the Vizio E Series 4k 2016 are now HDR compatible.

Sound Quality
7.7
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
1.63 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
1.65 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
2.82 dB SPL
Max
88.3 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
143 Hz

Good frequency response, which is relatively flat for the most part. However, the low-end cutoff of 143Hz means that this TV lacks a lot of bass. Also, with maximum loudness of 88.3dB, this TV doesn't get very loud either. And when it does, some pumping and compression may be present.

6.2
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.011
Distortion @ 80
0.033
Distortion @ Max
0.138

Average distortion results. The overall amount of harmonic distortion at 75 and 85dB SPL are good. However, at maximum volume, there is a noticeable rise in harmonic distortion, while remaining within acceptable limits (for a TV).

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

This TV uses SmartCast, and as such there is no application on the actual TV itself. However, if you have a handheld device you will have many applications to choose from that supports casting. There are already many major application such as Youtube, Netflix and Spotify that supports it. Amazon Prime isn't supported at the moment.

6.5
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS SmartCast

Just like the Vizio P Series, the Vizio E Series 4k 2016 also uses SmartCast as an operating system which is similar as that of the ChromeCast operating system. The television waits for a feed, whether it be a video or a photo, to be sent from a handheld device using an application that supports casting. Unlike the Vizio P Series this TV doesn't not with an included tablet, therefore you would have to use your own handheld device to take advantage of the casting services.

It lacks a built-in tuner, which means you cannot connect an antenna or cable directly to the TV. You will need to buy a separate tuner like this one

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

The TV controls are located on the right side behind the television.

Smart Features
Remote
Remote Basic

The remote that comes with the Vizio E 4k 2016 is the same basic one that come with the Vizio P Series 2016. The Vizio E 4k 2016 is made to be controlled via the Vizio SmartCast application using a smart phone or tablet which isn't included in the box.

Smart Features
In The Box

  • Remote
  • Batteries
  • HDMI Cable
  • Manual

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 33 W
Power Consumption (Max) 65 W
Firmware 1.1.14.4