- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Sound Quality
- Smart Features
- Sizes and Variants
- Compared
- Conclusion
- Q&A
Reviewed on Jun 08, 2018
By Daniel O'Keeffe
, Adam Babcock, Eric Bousquet, Ian Cumming, Dimitris Katsaounis, Yannick Khong, Bruno St-Georges-Robert
Vizio M Series 2018
TV REVIEW
Usage Ratings -
Version 1.2
✕
Test Benches: test
- 1.2: Winter 2018
- 1.1: Summer 2017
- 1.0: Winter 2015
- 0.9: Winter 2014
- 0.8: Winter 2013
7.8
Mixed Usage
✕
What it is
General purpose. The TV will be used for a variety of content and usages. Movies at night, TV shows during the day, video games from time to time, etc.
Score components:
- 22% TV Shows
- 22% Sports
- 16% Movies
- 16% Video Games
- 10% HDR Gaming
- 9% HDR Movies
- 6% PC Monitor
Score distribution:
Recommended if under (USD)
:
$900
✕
What it is:
Maximum price to be a better value than its competitors.
How to use it:
This product is the best choice in its range if you can find it below this price.
Automatically calculated every hour based on the scores and prices of all other products we've tested.
7.6
Movies
✕
What it is
Movies in the dark. The TV will be used for watching movies in a controlled environment, directly in front, in a home theater way. Mostly only high quality content, like Blu-rays, UHD Blu-rays, streaming and a little bit of HDR.
Score components:
- 20% Contrast
- 17% Local Dimming
- 12% 1080p Input
- 10% Black Uniformity
- 8% Gray Uniformity
- 8% 4k Input
- 6% 24p Judder
- 5% Motion Interpolation
- 5% Stutter
- 3% SDR ABL
- 3% Pre Calibration
- 2% Post Calibration
- 2% 480p Input
Score distribution:
7.4
TV Shows
✕
What it is
TV Shows in a bright living room. The TV will be used in to watch TV shows, in a bright room during the day, from multiple viewing positions at different angles. The content watched has an average quality: cable, streaming, SD channels, etc.
Score components:
- 29% Reflections
- 16% SDR Peak Brightness
- 11% Viewing Angle
- 9% 1080p Input
- 7% 720p Input
- 5% Gray Uniformity
- 5% 4k Input
- 5% Sound Quality
- 5% Smart Features
- 3% Motion Interpolation
- 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 2% Pre Calibration
- 2% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Post Calibration
Score distribution:
7.6
Sports
✕
What it is
Sports in a living room. The TV will be used to watch sports during the day, like football or hockey. Usually watched with a group, so from multiple viewing position.
Score components:
- 25% Reflections
- 20% Response Time
- 14% SDR Peak Brightness
- 11% Viewing Angle
- 10% Gray Uniformity
- 8% 720p Input
- 5% Sound Quality
- 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
Score distribution:
8.5
Video Games
✕
What it is
Video games. The TV will be used to play video games, directly in front, in a controlled light environment. Usually fast games, like online FPS, where motion blur and input lag is important.
Score components:
- 33% Input Lag
- 22% Response Time
- 6% 1080p Input
- 6% 4k Input
- 4% Contrast
- 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 3% Reflections
- 3% Gray Uniformity
- 3% Sound Quality
- 3% Local Dimming
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% SDR Peak Brightness
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 1% Stutter
- 1% Variable Refresh Rate
- 1% 4k @ 60Hz
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Post Calibration
- 1% 1440p @ 60Hz
Score distribution:
7.7
HDR Movies
✕
What it is
HDR Movies and TV shows. The TV will be used to watch 4k UHD HDR content, with a wide color gamut and a high peak brightness. Either via UHD Blu-rays or HDR streaming.
Score components:
- 22% Contrast
- 14% Local Dimming
- 12% 4k Input
- 11% Black Uniformity
- 6% HDR Peak Brightness
- 6% Color Gamut
- 6% Color Volume
- 5% Gray Uniformity
- 4% Stutter
- 4% 24p Judder
- 3% HDR ABL
- 2% Motion Interpolation
- 2% Pre Calibration
- 2% Gradient
- 1% Post Calibration
- 1% HDR10
- 1% Dolby Vision
Score distribution:
8.3
HDR Gaming
✕
What it is
HDR Gaming. The TV will be used to play HDR video games using consoles that support it or on current generation gaming PCs. Xbox One S, PS4 Pro, GTX 10 series and AMD RX series graphics cards.
Score components:
- 25% 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
- 15% Response Time
- 8% Contrast
- 7% Color Gamut
- 7% Color Volume
- 5% Local Dimming
- 4% 1080p Input
- 4% 4k Input
- 4% Black Uniformity
- 3% HDR ABL
- 3% HDR Peak Brightness
- 3% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Gradient
- 2% Reflections
- 1% Variable Refresh Rate
- 1% HDR10
- 1% Dolby Vision
- 1% Sound Quality
- 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Post Calibration
Score distribution:
8.1
PC Monitor
✕
What it is
PC Monitor. The TV will be used as a PC monitor, from 2-3 feet away, either for productivity purposes or gaming. Sharp text is important, as well as a high resolution.
Score components:
- 28% Inputs
- 14% Viewing Angle
- 13% Response Time
- 8% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 6% Reflections
- 5% Temporary Image Retention
- 4% 4k Input
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 3% 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 3% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 2% Curved
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% 1080p Input
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% Black Uniformity
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 0% Post Calibration
Score distribution:
Sub-Type
:
VA
✕
What it is:
Type of display technology used by the TV.
When it matters:
Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses
Good value:
IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.
The Vizio M Series 2018 is a good 4k TV for a wide range of usages. It has a high native contrast ratio so blacks appear deep in a dark room, but unfortunately, the local dimming doesn't work well to improve them further. It can also get bright to overcome glare but can't produce bright or saturated HDR highlights. Motion handling is also decent, but the image degrades when viewed at an angle. Unlike last year's Vizio M Series, the 2018 model includes a TV tuner.
Test Results
| Design | 7.5 |
| Picture Quality | 7.7 |
| Motion | 7.4 |
| Inputs | 8.7 |
| Sound Quality | 6.6 |
| Smart Features | 6.8 |
- Deep and uniform blacks
- Excellent low input lag
- Fast response time
- Image degrades when viewed at an angle
Check Price
Design
The design of the Vizio M Series 2018 is good. It has a sleek look and feels sturdy. The new stand and the thin metallic borders give it a more premium look. It still lacks any planning for cable management, but the good news is that the inputs are very close to the side.
This year's Vizio M-series comes with a sleek and sturdy looking stand. This is quite an aesthetic change from the wire-like stand used in the M-Series 2017.
Footprint of the 55" TV stand: 50.7" x 10.9"
The back of the TV is plastic. It has been redesigned and has a more sleek look and although the inputs have changed sides, they are still split between the bottom and the side edge. There is no planning for cable management.
Maximum Temperature
:
95 °F (35 °C)
✕
What it is:
The peak temperature found on the TV.
When it matters:
If the TV is placed in an enclosed space.
Good value:
<35°C
Noticeable difference:
5°C
Average Temperature
:
91 °F (33 °C)
✕
What it is:
The average temperature measured on the TV.
When it matters:
If the TV is placed in an enclosed space.
Good value:
<35°C
Noticeable difference:
5°C
The Vizio M Series 2018 has a very uniform and relatively cool temperature footprint.
Picture Quality
✕
Score components:
- 11% Contrast
- 6% Local Dimming
- 6% SDR Peak Brightness
- 6% HDR Peak Brightness
- 6% Gray Uniformity
- 7% Viewing Angle
- 4% Black Uniformity
- 6% Reflections
- 4% Pre Calibration
- 1% Post Calibration
- 6% 480p Input
- 9% 720p Input
- 11% 1080p Input
- 6% 4k Input
- 4% Color Gamut
- 4% Color Volume
- 2% Gradient
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
Score distribution:
The picture quality of the Vizio M Series 2018 is good. It has an excellent contrast ratio that allows it to achieve deep blacks in dark scenes and the color accuracy is remarkable but it does not have a wide color gamut. The brightness levels are good and enough to overcome glare making it suitable for brighter rooms, but viewing angles are somewhat limited. Sports fans should know that some dirty screen effect is to be expected.
8.6
Contrast
✕
What it is:
Brightness difference between white and black. This is the main component of picture quality.
When it matters:
Always, but especially when watching dark scenes.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Native Contrast
:
4598 : 1
✕
What it is:
Ratio of the white brightness divided by the blacks measured on our checkerboard test pattern with a white target of 100 cd/m².
When it matters:
Dark scenes in a dark room.
Good value:
> 3,000
Noticeable difference:
500
Score distribution:
Contrast with local dimming
:
4616 : 1
✕
What it is:
Ratio of the white brightness divided by the blacks measured on our checkerboard test pattern with local dimming turned on (maximum) with a white target of 100 cd/m².
When it matters:
Dark scenes in a dark room.
Good value:
> 3,000
Noticeable difference:
500
Score distribution:
The contrast ratio of the Vizio M 2018 Series is very good but slightly worse than last years' model. Dark scenes produce nice blacks even in low-light environments.
The contrast ratio does not improve with local dimming enabled.
5.5
Local Dimming
✕
What it is:
The lights behind the LCD layer adapt to the picture displayed, improving the contrast ratio.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Local Dimming
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether it has a feature that controls the LEDs behind the LCD layer, to match the picture and darkens the dark portion of it.
When it matters:
On LED TVs only. Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Backlight
:
Full-Array
✕
What it is:
Configuration of the lights of the backlight.
When it matters:
Effectiveness of the local dimming.
Good value:
Full-array/direct lighting is better for local dimming. As for the uniformity of the screen, it depends on the implementation. Some edge-lit TVs have more uniform blacks than some full-array TVs.
The Vizio M Series 2018 has a sub-standard Local Dimming. Clouding can be seen around moving objects and this might be more apparent when subtitled content is viewed.
The best results are obtained when local dimming(called Xtreme Black Engine Plus on this Vizio TV) is set to medium.
8.3
SDR Peak Brightness
✕
What it is:
How bright the screen can get. Measured with local dimming and with SDR content.
When it matters:
Bright living rooms; bright objects; SDR content.
Score components:
- 64% SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
- 5% SDR Peak 2% Window
- 5% SDR Peak 10% Window
- 5% SDR Peak 25% Window
- 5% SDR Peak 50% Window
- 5% SDR Peak 100% Window
- 2% SDR Sustained 2% Window
- 2% SDR Sustained 10% Window
- 2% SDR Sustained 25% Window
- 2% SDR Sustained 50% Window
- 2% SDR Sustained 100% Window
- 1% SDR ABL
Score distribution:
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
:
381 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity the TV can obtain while playing a movie or while watching a TV show. Our Real Scene was selected to represent a more regular movie condition. All measurements are made with the TV set to be as bright as possible, but with a 6500k white. Measured with local dimming on, max backlight and with an SDR signal. Scene: here.
When it matters:
When watching movies and TV shows in SDR.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 2% Window
:
512 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright highlights, present on screen for a short time
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 10% Window
:
788 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright objects, present on screen for a short time
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 25% Window
:
702 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 50% Window
:
496 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Peak 100% Window
:
384 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 2% Window
:
505 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright highlights, persistent during a scene.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 10% Window
:
771 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
Bright objects, persistent during a scene.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 25% Window
:
694 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 50% Window
:
494 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR Sustained 100% Window
:
383 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over SDR signal.
When it matters:
When watching in a bright room.
Good value:
> 300 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
30 cd/m²
Score distribution:
SDR ABL
:
0.040
✕
What it is:
The coefficient of variation of the SDR sustained brightness, after linearizing for noticeable differences in luminosity
When it matters:
Content with large bright areas, such as for PC or video game use, and sports such as hockey
Good value:
<0.07
Noticeable difference:
0.01
Score distribution:
The SDR peak brightness of the Vizio M Series 2018 is very good. The TV reaches and maintains high brightness levels at most window sizes.
The testing was done with local dimming(called Xtreme Black Engine Plus on this Vizio TV) set to medium.
7.1
HDR Peak Brightness
✕
What it is:
How bright the screen can get. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright living rooms; bright objects; HDR content.
Score components:
- 64% HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
- 5% HDR Peak 2% Window
- 5% HDR Peak 10% Window
- 5% HDR Peak 25% Window
- 5% HDR Peak 50% Window
- 5% HDR Peak 100% Window
- 2% HDR Sustained 2% Window
- 2% HDR Sustained 10% Window
- 2% HDR Sustained 25% Window
- 2% HDR Sustained 50% Window
- 2% HDR Sustained 100% Window
- 2% HDR ABL
Score distribution:
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
:
421 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity the TV can obtain while playing a movie or while watching a TV show. This scene was selected to represent a more realistic movie condition. All measurement are made with the TV set to be as bright as possible, but with a 6500k white. Measured with local dimming, max backlight and over HDR signal. Scene: here.
When it matters:
When watching movies or watching TV show in HDR.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Peak 2% Window
:
516 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright highlights, present on screen for a short time; especially for HDR content.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Peak 10% Window
:
792 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright objects, present on screen for a short time; especially for HDR content.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Peak 25% Window
:
704 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright rooms; bright objects in HDR video.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Peak 50% Window
:
496 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Peak 100% Window
:
385 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The maximum luminosity, even if only maintained for a short time, of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Sustained 2% Window
:
509 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright highlights, persistent throughout a scene; especially for HDR content.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Sustained 10% Window
:
774 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright objects, persistent throughout a scene; especially for HDR content.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Sustained 25% Window
:
697 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright rooms; bright objects in HDR video.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Sustained 50% Window
:
494 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR Sustained 100% Window
:
383 cd/m2
✕
What it is:
The lowest maximum luminosity (usually after it has stabilized) of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Good value:
> 550 cd/m²
Noticeable difference:
80 cd/m²
Score distribution:
HDR ABL
:
0.040
✕
What it is:
The coefficient of variation of the HDR sustained brightness, after linearizing for noticeable differences in luminosity
When it matters:
HDR content with large bright areas, such as HDR gaming
Good value:
<0.07
Noticeable difference:
0.01
Score distribution:
The HDR peak brightness of the Vizio M Series 2018 is okay. It is very similar to last year's model.
The TV displays small bright details well in dark HDR scenes but fails to reach the 1000 nits HDR content is targeting.
The testing was done with local dimming(called Xtreme Black Engine Plus on this Vizio TV) set to medium.
6.8
Gray Uniformity
✕
What it is:
Evenness of colors onscreen (not just gray).
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Score components:
- 40% 50% Std. Dev.
- 40% 50% DSE
- 10% 5% Std. Dev.
- 10% 5% DSE
Score distribution:
50% Std. Dev.
:
3.871 %
✕
What it is:
Average squared difference of pixels when displaying a mid 50% gray.
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Good value:
< 2.5%
Noticeable difference:
1%
Score distribution:
50% DSE
:
0.216 %
✕
What it is:
High-frequency variance of uniformity. Dark spots on the screen.
When it matters:
Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.
Good value:
< 0.165%
Noticeable difference:
0.025%
Score distribution:
5% Std. Dev.
:
1.043 %
✕
What it is:
Average squared difference of pixels when displaying a mid 5% gray.
When it matters:
Dark scenes.
Good value:
< 1.15%
Noticeable difference:
1%
Score distribution:
5% DSE
:
0.114 %
✕
What it is:
High-frequency variance of uniformity. Dark spots on the screen.
When it matters:
Dark scenes.
Good value:
< 0.116%
Score distribution:
The gray uniformity of the Vizio M Series 2018 is okay. At the 50% gray level, clouding is fairly noticeable in the center of the screen. Some dirty screen effect is visible during panning shots and sports viewing.
Results improve significantly at darker gray levels, where it gets hard to notice clouding.
4.5
Viewing Angle
✕
What it is:
Color accuracy when viewed from the side.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Score components:
- 20% Color Shift
- 40% Brightness
- 40% Black Level
Score distribution:
Color Shift
:
19 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the colors noticeable shift compared to when viewed from directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Brightness
:
39 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the brightness drops to 50% of the brightness directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
Black Level
:
12 °
✕
What it is:
Angle where the black level drops to 50% of the black level directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV. Measurements are up to a maximum of 75 °.
When it matters:
Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.
Good value:
> 50°
Noticeable difference:
10°
Score distribution:
The viewing angle is poor. Colors shift quickly and black washes out as soon as one moves away from the center, but the brightness stays at acceptable levels for bigger angles.
9.0
Black Uniformity
✕
What it is:
Evenness of blacks.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Score components:
- 75% Native Std. Dev.
- 25% Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
Score distribution:
Native Std. Dev.
:
0.522 %
✕
What it is:
Average of the squared difference of the blacks.
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Good value:
< 1%
Noticeable difference:
1%, but keep in mind that it varies a lot by unit, even of the same model; yours likely will not end up exactly like ours.
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
:
1.076 %
✕
What it is:
Average of the squared difference of the blacks with Local Dimming enabled
When it matters:
Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.
Good value:
< 1%
Noticeable difference:
1%, but keep in mind that it varies a lot by unit, even of the same model; yours likely will not end up exactly like ours.
Score distribution:
The black uniformity of the Vizio M Series 2018 is remarkable. There is some slight clouding to the right, but in general, the screen is very uniform.
With local dimming turned on, the uniformity is a little worse, as some blooming is obvious around the middle white cross while the rest of the screen remains mostly black.
7.8
Reflections
✕
What it is:
How much light is reflected by the TV.
When it matters:
Bright rooms.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Screen Finish
:
Semi-gloss
✕
What it is:
Type of coating on the screen.
When it matters:
Bright objects in the direct reflection path (for example, opposite the TV).
Good value:
Glossy is good for ambient light, but not for direct reflections.
Total Reflections
:
5.2 %
✕
What it is:
The amount of light which is reflected off the screen, in all directions.
When it matters:
When watching TV in a bright room, with lamps, windows or walls which reflect directly off the screen.
Good value:
4.5 %
Noticeable difference:
0.5 %
Score distribution:
Indirect Reflections
:
0.6 %
✕
What it is:
The amount of light reflected off the screen, ignoring direct (mirror-like) reflections
When it matters:
Watching TV in a bright room, without sunlight or lamps directed at the TV
Good value:
1.0 %
Noticeable difference:
0.5 %
Score distribution:
The Vizio M Series 2018 handles reflections very well. In bright environments, the TV is able to overcome glare. However, it cannot handle direct reflections with the same efficiency due to the lack of an anti-reflective coating.
8.1
Pre Calibration
✕
What it is:
TV's color accuracy before a full calibration. Only the picture mode, color temperature, and backlight level were changed.
When it matters:
All video on an uncalibrated TV. This represents most people's use cases.
Score components:
- 45% White Balance dE
- 45% Color dE
- 9% Color Temperature
Score distribution:
White Balance dE
:
2.62
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Overall color temperature of all video.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Color dE
:
2.34
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of colors.
When it matters:
All colors.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Gamma
:
2.08
✕
What it is:
Brightness of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Shadows.
Good value:
Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)
Noticeable difference:
0.1
Color Temperature
:
6236 K
✕
What it is:
The color temperature is a measure of the color of light. A colder color temperature (7000K) will look bluer and a warmer color temperature (4000K) will look yellower/redder. 6500K is the standard color temperature use in the TV and film industry as program, film, and photography directors usually work on monitors calibrated on the 6500k color temperature and do their color correction base on what they see on those monitors.
When it matters:
To get the most accurate picture when watching TV shows, movies or video games. This is particularly for skin tones.
Good value:
6500K
Noticeable difference:
400K
Score distribution:
The Vizio M Series 2018 has impressive color accuracy. When the picture mode is set to Calibrated Dark, both the white balance dE and the color dE are below 3, most people will not notice any imperfections.
The gamma is at 2.08 and fairly consistently below our target of 2.2. This makes shadows look darker, but again it will pass unnoticed by most people.
9.7
Post Calibration
✕
What it is:
TV's color accuracy after a full calibration with a spectrophotometer.
When it matters:
All video on a TV that has been professionally calibrated. This isn't that useful, because most TVs can achieve a pretty good calibration if you spend enough time on them.
Score components:
- 45% White Balance dE
- 45% Color dE
- 9% Color Temperature
Score distribution:
Picture Mode
:
Calibrated Dark
✕
What it is:
The picture mode used to do the calibration. We usually go for the picture mode that gives us the more control over all the picture quality setting.
White Balance dE
:
0.11
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Overall color temperature of all videos.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Color dE
:
0.93
✕
What it is:
Average inaccuracy of colors.
When it matters:
All colors.
Good value:
< 3
Noticeable difference:
1
Score distribution:
Gamma
:
2.20
✕
What it is:
Brightness of shades of gray.
When it matters:
Shadows.
Good value:
Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)
Noticeable difference:
0.1
Color Temperature
:
6500 K
✕
What it is:
The color temperature is a measure of the color of light. A colder color temperature (7000K) will look bluer and a warmer color temperature (4000K) will look yellower/redder. 6500K is the standard color temperature use in the TV and film industry as program, film, and photography directors usually work on monitors calibrated on the 6500k color temperature and do their color correction base on what they see on those monitors.
When it matters:
To get the most accurate picture when watching TV shows, movies or video games. This is particularly for skin tones.
Good value:
6500K
Noticeable difference:
400K
Score distribution:
Colors and shadows of the Vizio M65-F0 after calibration are amazing. The already great accuracy becomes almost perfect in all aspects of our measurements. color dE and white balance dE are very small, whereas the gamma curve is followed perfectly at 2.2. Finally, the color temperature is spot on at 6500K
Note: Calibration can be performed very easily with the help of the 'Smartcast' app, as no on-screen menu is necessary.
You can see our recommended settings here.
7.0
480p Input
✕
What it is:
Quality of a 480p input.
When it matters:
Standard definition TV, DVDs.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Upscaling of low-quality content such as DVDs is a bit more blocky than other TVs and there is more noise, similar to the Vizio M Series 2017. This is visible when viewing DVDs.
7.0
720p Input
✕
What it is:
Quality of a 720p input.
When it matters:
HD channels, some streaming videos.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
9.0
1080p Input
✕
What it is:
Quality of a 1080p input.
When it matters:
Blu-rays, streaming video, video files, video games.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
10
4k Input
✕
What it is:
Quality of a 4k UHD input.
When it matters:
Streaming video, UHD Blu-rays, some PCs.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
6.8
Color Gamut
✕
What it is:
How many colors the TV can display.
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos and UHD Blu-rays.
Score components:
- 25% DCI P3 xy
- 25% DCI P3 uv
- 25% Rec 2020 xy
- 25% Rec 2020 uv
Score distribution:
Wide Color Gamut
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the TV has an option to enable wide color gamuts.
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos and UHD Blu-rays.
DCI P3 xy
:
76.53 %
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
DCI P3 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
DCI P3 uv
:
81.31 %
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1976 u' v'.
When it matters:
DCI P3 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
Rec 2020 xy
:
54.91 %
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.
When it matters:
Rec.2020 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
Rec 2020 uv
:
59.25 %
✕
What it is:
Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1976 u' v'.
When it matters:
Rec.2020 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.
Good value:
> 90%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
The color gamut is okay for the Vizio M65-F0. It fails to cover either of the color spaces measured adequately and certainly falls below the threshold to be classified as having a wide color gamut.
In the Calibrated Dark picture mode, the HDR EOTF follows the target PQ curve fairly well, but with a bit of over-brightening in dark shades and an early roll-off of bright shades. The EOTFs in Calibrated Dark with Game Low Latency enabled and in the Computer picture mode are very similar to that of Calibrated Dark.
6.4
Color Volume
✕
What it is:
How many colors a TV can display at different luminosity levels.
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos, UHD Blu-rays and HDR games.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP
:
73.9 %
✕
What it is:
How much of the DCI-P3 colorspace a TV can display at different luminosity levels
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos, UHD Blu-rays and HDR games.
Good value:
80%
Noticeable difference:
5%
Score distribution:
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
:
34.8 %
✕
What it is:
How much of the DCI-P3 colorspace a TV can display at different luminosity levels when compared to an ideal 10,000 nit TV
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos, UHD Blu-rays and HDR games.
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
:
54.0 %
✕
What it is:
How much of the Rec. 2020 colorspace a TV can display at different luminosity levels
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos, UHD Blu-rays and HDR games.
Good value:
80 %
Noticeable difference:
5 %
Score distribution:
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP
:
25.4 %
✕
What it is:
How much of the Rec 2020 colorspace a TV can display at different luminosity levels when compared to an ideal 10,000 nit TV
When it matters:
HDR content. Includes some streaming videos, UHD Blu-rays and HDR games.
Mediocre color volume. The narrow color gamut prevents the TV from achieving a satisfying color volume. It has difficulty displaying deep, dark colors and does not cover either color space very well, although in the Rec.2020 it performs slightly better than the 2017 model.
8.5
Gradient
✕
What it is:
How finely levels of color can be displayed.
When it matters:
Details in shadows, sky and skin tones. Matters more for HDR content.
Score components:
- 25% Red (Std. Dev.)
- 25% Green (Std. Dev.)
- 25% Blue (Std. Dev.)
- 25% Gray (Std. Dev.)
Score distribution:
Color Depth
:
10 Bit
✕
What it is:
Number of bits per pixel to represent a specific color. Note: we consider 8-bit with dithering to be equivalent to 10-bit, as long as the 10-bit gradient looks smooth.
When it matters:
HDR content like UHD Blu-ray players. Won't matter for cable TV, regular Blu-ray movies, video game consoles or content displayed from a Windows PC. Those are limited to 8-bit color.
Good value:
10-bit.
Noticeable difference:
1 bit.
Red (Std. Dev.)
:
0.100 dE
✕
What it is:
The standard deviation of the color differences (dE) between subsequent 10 bit red shades.
When it matters:
Details in skin tones, sunsets, and other reddish objects. Matters more for HDR content.
Good value:
< 0.12 dE
Noticeable difference:
0.01 dE
Score distribution:
Green (Std. Dev.)
:
0.111 dE
✕
What it is:
The standard deviation of the color differences (dE) between subsequent 10 bit green shades.
When it matters:
Details in ocean shades and other greenish objects. Matters more for HDR content.
Good value:
< 0.12 dE
Noticeable difference:
0.01 dE
Score distribution:
Blue (Std. Dev.)
:
0.086 dE
✕
What it is:
The standard deviation of the color differences (dE) between subsequent 10 bit blue shades.
When it matters:
Details in skies, water and other blueish objects. Matters more for HDR content.
Good value:
< 0.12 dE
Noticeable difference:
0.01 dE
Score distribution:
Gray (Std. Dev.)
:
0.083 dE
✕
What it is:
The standard deviation of the color differences (dE) between subsequent 10 bit gray shades.
When it matters:
Details in dull colors, such as shadows, glow and urban scenes. Matters more for HDR content.
Good value:
< 0.12 dE
Noticeable difference:
0.01 dE
Score distribution:
The gradient performance is very good for this Vizio M Series 2018. It can display our gradient test image almost perfectly, with only small visible imperfections in dark green bands.
The TV has a Reduce Noise feature that may help reduce banding when banding is present in the content itself with the possible trade-off of some loss of fine detail. The Reduce Noise option, however, can not improve any banding that is added to the content, by the TV itself.
10
Temporary Image Retention
✕
What it is:
How much a static image is retained on a TV screen after a certain amount of time.
When it matters:
When watching TV show, playing video games or when using your TV as a PC monitor.
Score components:
Score distribution:
IR after 0 min recovery
:
0.00 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured right after the static image exposure, without recovery time.
When it matters:
When changing channels while watching TV, right after changing the type of content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie) or changing input.
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 2 min recovery
:
0.00 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 2 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing channels while watching TV, right after changing the type of content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie) or changing input.
Good value:
0 is perfect
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 4 min recovery
:
0.00 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 4 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing channels while watching TV, right after changing the type of content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie) or changing input.
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 6 min recovery
:
0.00 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 6 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing channels while watching TV, right after changing the type of content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie) or changing input.
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 8 min recovery
:
0.00 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 8 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing channels while watching TV, right after changing the type of content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie) or changing input.
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
IR after 10 min recovery
:
0.00 %
✕
What it is:
Image retention measured after a recovery time of 10 minutes.
When it matters:
When changing channels while watching TV, right after changing the type of content (i.e. stopping playing video game to watch a movie) or changing input.
Good value:
0 is perfect.
Noticeable difference:
0.015%
Score distribution:
No image retention is present on the Vizio M65-F0. This is in line with TVs that use VA panels.
10
Permanent Burn-In Risk
✕
What it is:
The risk of developing a persistent image retention, also known as burn-in, after being exposed to a static image for a prolonged time
When it matters:
When watching TV shows, playing video games or when using your TV as a PC monitor where static content is present
Score components:
Score distribution:
Permanent Burn-In Risk
:
No
✕
What it is:
If the TV faces a risk of developing permanent burn-in after being expose, for a long period of time, to static images.
When it matters:
When watching TV shows with static logos or banners (news or sports channels), when playing video games with a HUD (head up display), and when using a TV as a PC monitors.
We don't expect VA panels to experience permanent image retention, as the VA panel in our long-term test appears immune.
Motion
✕
Score components:
- 53% Response Time
- 11% Flicker-Free
- 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 5% Motion Interpolation
- 12% Stutter
- 11% 24p Judder
- 5% Variable Refresh Rate
Score distribution:
The Vizio 2018 M-Series has decent motion handling. The response time is excellent and there is very little motion blur. The backlight uses PWM to dim and there is some flicker but it is at a high frequency and shouldn't be noticeable to most people. The backlight can reduce the flicker frequency to help motion appear more fluid, and unlike most TVs, there is very little decrease in brightness. It does not support any motion interpolation.
8.6
Response Time
✕
What it is:
Amount of blur in fast motion.
When it matters:
Sports, video games.
Score components:
- 50% 80% Response Time
- 50% 100% Response Time
Score distribution:
80% Response Time
:
5.6 ms
✕
What it is:
How quickly pixels can reach 80% of a full transition from one color to another.
When it matters:
Fast movement.
Good value:
< 8 ms
Noticeable difference:
4 ms
Score distribution:
100% Response Time
:
12.6 ms
✕
What it is:
How quickly pixels can fully transition from one color to another.
When it matters:
Fast movement.
Good value:
< 20 ms
Noticeable difference:
10 ms
Score distribution:
The 2018 M-Series has an excellent fast response time. There is very little motion trail behind fast moving objects, most of the blur in the photo is due to persistence. There is a tiny bit of overshoot in some transitions, but these are too minor to cause any overshoot artifacts.
There is some dark haloing visible around the logo. This is likely due to the down transitions being much faster than the up transitions. In this case, the the blue and green pixels of the background go dark before the red pixels in the logo can turn on. This is noticeable in most of the motion blur photos, but is especially noticeable on this TV.
7.9
Flicker-Free
✕
What it is:
How noticeable flicker is on the screen, when all optional flicker has been disabled.
When it matters:
All usages, but particularly when viewing fast motion (such as in sports and video games) or when using the TV as a PC monitor.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Flicker-Free
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the screen will be perceived as having no flicker during normal viewing conditions.
When it matters:
When flicker is especially bothersome, such as when using the TV as a PC monitor.
Good value:
Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
:
480 Hz
✕
What it is:
The flicker frequency of the screen, when all optional flicker has been disabled.
When it matters:
All usages, but particularly when viewing fast motion (such as in sports and video games) or when using the TV as a PC monitor.
Good value:
0 Hz or very high frequencies (> 300 Hz). Frequencies that are multiples of 60Hz are better.
Score distribution:
There is backlight flicker at all backlight settings below 100. The flicker frequency is very high at 480 Hz, and most people won't notice it. At low backlight settings there is some decrease in amplitude as well as duty cycle. The backlight is identical to last year's M-Series.
The backlight of the Vizio M 2018 is much better than TVs with lower flicker frequencies like the LG SK9000, and very similar to the TCL R617.
9.2
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
✕
What it is:
How effective the TV's flickering capabilities are in making motion look clearer, when flicker is desired.
When it matters:
When flicker is desired by the user. Flicker is especially useful to make motion look clearer when viewing 60 fps content (sports, video games) and when using motion interpolation.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Optional BFI
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Option to turn the screen black between frames.
When it matters:
When flicker is desired by the user. Flicker is especially useful to make motion look clearer when viewing 60 fps content (sports, video games) and when using motion interpolation.
Good value:
Yes
Min Flicker for 60 fps
:
60 Hz
✕
What it is:
Lowest possible frequency of flickering pattern when playing 60 fps content.
When it matters:
When viewing fast motion such as sports and video games.
Good value:
60 Hz
Noticeable difference:
20 Hz
Score distribution:
60 Hz for 60 fps
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether the screen can flicker at 60 Hz when playing 60 fps content.
When it matters:
When playing 60 fps content, such as sports and video games.
Good value:
Yes
120 Hz for 120 fps
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Whether the screen can flicker at 120 Hz when playing 120 fps content.
When it matters:
When playing 120 fps content, such as when using motion interpolation on a 120 Hz TV.
Good value:
Yes
Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode
:
60 Hz
✕
What it is:
Lowest possible frequency of flickering pattern when playing 60 fps content in Game Mode.
When it matters:
When playing video games with fast motion.
Good value:
60 Hz
Noticeable difference:
20 Hz
Score distribution:
The BFI mode on the M-Series 2018 is activated by setting Clear Action to On. Unlike most TVs, when BFI is enabled the perceived screen brightness is not reduced, as the brightness spikes higher than before to compensate for the off cycles. With BFI enabled the backlight can only flicker at 60 Hz.
0
Motion Interpolation
✕
What it is:
Also known as 'Soap Opera Effect'. It is an optional feature that increases the frame rate of the video, smoothing movement.
When it matters:
If you like the look of smoothed video. Not everyone does.
Score components:
Score distribution:
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the TV can take a 30 fps input and heighten the frame rate to at least 60 fps.
When it matters:
30 fps or lower videos. Includes movies, TV shows, some video games.
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the TV can take a 60 fps input and heighten the frame rate to at least 100 fps.
When it matters:
60 fps videos. Includes some video games, some sports channels.
The Vizio M65-F0 does not have a motion interpolation feature unlike most TVs we have reviewed.
7.3
Stutter
✕
What it is:
Jarring effect caused by static frame time during motion sequences
When it matters:
When watching content with long panning shots and other smooth movement
Score components:
Score distribution:
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
:
29.1 ms
✕
What it is:
Time that frame is static during 24Hz videos such as movies
When it matters:
When watching movies and other low frame rate content which contain panning shots
Good value:
< 24 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
:
4.1 ms
✕
What it is:
Time that frame is static during 60 fps content such as TV shows
When it matters:
When watching 60 fps content containing slow panning shots (such as field sports)
Good value:
< 24 ms
Noticeable difference:
5 ms
Score distribution:
There is some 24p stutter that is especially noticeable with wide panning shots. Unlike many other TVs, this cannot be reduced by enabling motion interpolation, as the M-Series does not have this feature.
7.8
24p Judder
✕
What it is:
Whether 24p content can play without any judder.
When it matters:
Only 24p content (mostly just movies).
Score components:
Score distribution:
Judder-Free 24p
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Judder-free movies over 24p signal.
When it matters:
Blu-ray and DVD movies; 24 hz PC signal.
Judder-Free 24p via 60p
:
No
✕
What it is:
Judder-free movies over 60p signal.
When it matters:
Movies from streaming devices (Apple TV, Fire TV, etc.); 60 hz PC signal.
Judder-Free 24p via 60i
:
No
✕
What it is:
Judder-free movies over 60i signal.
When it matters:
Movies from cable/satellite boxes.
Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Judder-free movies when playing from native apps.
When it matters:
Movies from streaming native apps (Netflix, Amazon TV, etc.).
Similar to the 2017 M-Series, the 2018 Vizio M65-F0 can play 24p content without judder, but only when played from a native 24p source like a Blu-ray player or from the native apps. To remove judder set Film mode to on
0
Variable Refresh Rate
✕
What it is:
How frequently the TV can refresh and show new frames, and whether it can vary its refresh rate in real time using technologies like HDMI Forum's Variable Refresh Rate.
When it matters:
Mostly for gaming, but does provide a little better motion during normal usage.
Score components:
- 25% 4k VRR Maximum
- 25% 4k VRR Minimum
- 25% 1080p VRR Maximum
- 25% 1080p VRR Minimum
Score distribution:
Native Refresh Rate
:
60 Hz
✕
What it is:
The out-of-the-box maximum refresh rate; how frequently the TV can refresh and show new frames.
When it matters:
When playing content with a frame rate that matches the TV's refresh rate (ex. 60 fps on a 60 Hz TV, 120 fps on a 120 Hz TV), or when using the TV's motion interpolation feature (soap opera effect).
Good value:
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
:
No
✕
What it is:
Feature that allows the TV to synchronize its refresh rate with the input device's output and reduces stuttering and screen tearing.
When it matters:
Almost every usage, but is most noticeable when gaming where constant fluctuation in framerate cause distracting artifacts.
4k VRR Maximum
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The maximum frequency covered by the Variable Refresh Rate feature of the TV when the input signal is 4k.
When it matters:
Any time the VRR feature is enabled and 4k is sent.
Good value:
Matches maximum refresh rate at 4k.
Noticeable difference:
10 Hz
Score distribution:
4k VRR Minimum
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The lowest frequency covered by the TV's Variable Refresh Rate feature when the input signal is 4k.
When it matters:
When using the VRR feature of the TV at lower frame rates when sending a 4k signal.
Good value:
30 Hz
1080p VRR Maximum
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The maximum frequency covered by the Variable Refresh Rate feature of the TV when the input signal is 1080p.
When it matters:
Any time the VRR feature is enabled and 1080p is sent.
Good value:
Matches maximum refresh rate at 1080p.
Noticeable difference:
10 Hz
Score distribution:
1080p VRR Minimum
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The lowest frequency covered by the TV's Variable Refresh Rate feature when the input signal is 1080p.
When it matters:
When using the VRR feature of the TV at lower frame rates when sending a 1080p signal.
Good value:
30 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
The inputs which support a variable refresh rate (eg. HDMI, DisplayPort)
When it matters:
When gaming with different consoles or graphics cards.
The Vizio M-Series 2018 does not support any of the variable refresh rate technologies, including AMD's Freesync 2.
The Vizio M Series 2018 can play almost any content including HDR. It has excellent low input lag both for SDR and HDR content and it is definitely an improvement with regards to inputs from last years model. Appart from the input lag that has almost halved, the TV supports 4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 color on all ports, as long as you set it to 'Full UHD Color'. This year's M-Series also has a tuner, unlike the previous two years' models.
9.1
Input Lag
✕
What it is:
Delay between input and onscreen reaction.
When it matters:
Video games; when TV is used as PC monitor.
Score components:
- 35% 1080p @ 60Hz
- 3% 1080p @ 60Hz + HDR
- 37% 4k @ 60Hz
- 19% 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
- 3% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 3% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz
:
22.0 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV with a 1080p @ 60Hz input.
When it matters:
Video games and also when TV is used as PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz + HDR
:
22.0 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on the TV when displaying 1080p @ 60Hz with HDR.
When it matters:
HDR video games from a console outputting a 1080p signal.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
:
65.7 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on the TV when displaying 1080p @ 60Hz in a fully featured picture mode.
When it matters:
For playing video games while retaining access to all features of the TV.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
1080p @ 120 Hz
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV with a 1080p @ 120Hz input.
When it matters:
When the TV is used as PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
4k @ 60Hz
:
22.0 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz.
When it matters:
Video games and also when TV is used as PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
:
22.1 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz with HDR.
When it matters:
HDR Video games.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
21.9 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4.
When it matters:
PC Monitor
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
:
22.0 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 with HDR enabled at 8 bit
When it matters:
PC Monitor with an HDR capable graphic card
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
Score distribution:
4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
:
65.7 ms
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on the TV when displaying 4k @ 60Hz in a fully featured picture mode.
When it matters:
For playing video games while retaining access to all features of the TV.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
4k With Interpolation
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag for 4k content when the motion interpolation feature is turned on.
When it matters:
When you want to play video games with the Soap Opera Effect enabled.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
4k @ 120 Hz
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on TV with a 4k @ 120Hz input.
When it matters:
When the TV is used as PC monitor.
Good value:
< 40 ms
Noticeable difference:
15 ms
4k with Variable Refresh Rate
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on the TV when its Variable Refresh Rate feature is enabled and it is sent a 4k signal.
When it matters:
When gaming with a device which supports variable refresh rates, such as the Xbox One X or a PC.
1080p with Variable Refresh Rate
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Lowest input lag possible on the TV when its Variable Refresh Rate feature is enabled and it is sent a 1080p signal.
When it matters:
When gaming with a device which supports variable refresh rates, such as the Xbox One X or a PC.
The input lag is superb and almost half of last year's model. To achieve low input lag you must set the 'Game Low Latency' to on as its is the only setting that matters for input lag. All picture modes can have low input lag, however only the 'Computer' mode can show proper 4:4:4 color.
Aside: The TV treated the Leo Bodnar tool differently than the Leo Bodnar + HDFury chain, in a similar way as last year's M Series 2017, but on the M Series 2018 the input lag didn't change as a result. See the Additional Review Notes for more detail.
6.7
Supported Resolutions
✕
What it is:
Different resolutions supported by TV.
When it matters:
PC monitor usage.
Score components:
- 17% 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 17% 1080p @ 120Hz
- 17% 1440p @ 60Hz
- 17% 4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
- 17% 4k @ 60Hz
- 17% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Score distribution:
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Crisp text on 1060p @ 60 hz signal.
When it matters:
PC productivity and 60 fps gaming.
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Crisp text on 4k @ 60 hz signal.
When it matters:
Productivity and 60 fps gaming in 4k.
Most common resolutions are supported at 60Hz except 1440p. However, this TV does not support 120 Hz.
Only in 'Computer' picture mode can 4:4:4 color be displayed properly. This years' model can support 4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 color on all ports, but it works only when 'Full UHD Color' is enabled for that port.
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + HDR is also supported.
The inputs on the side include sockets for Component input which is rare for a TV.
The rear inputs include an 'analog audio out' so you can use wireless headphones with no need for adaptors. Also, a 'Cable/Antenna' input is present to accommodate the TV tuner that is included in this year's model.
HDR10
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Standard HDR format.
When it matters:
Most common format. All UHD Blu-ray discs are required to have it.
Dolby Vision
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Better format, due to its dynamic nature.
When it matters:
Dolby Vision mastered content. Current available from streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Video), some Blu-Ray players, the Apple TV 4k and ChromeCast Ultra.
HLG
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
HLG or Hybrid Log Gamma is a broadcast HDR format.
When it matters:
HLG capable sources such as Youtube or OTA broadcasts in specific regions. Backwards compatible with SDR TVs.
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
TV can receive and pass Dolby Digital 5.1 signal to receiver via HDMI ARC.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
TV can receive and pass DTS 5.1 signal to receiver via HDMI ARC.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
TV can receive and pass Dolby Digital signal to receiver via digital optical.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
TV can receive and pass DTS signal to receiver via digital optical.
When it matters:
5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwith
:
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
✕
What it is:
HDMI 2.0 is the main used HDMI standard and supports a range of video resolutions and refresh rates up to 4k@60Hz, with a total maximum bandwidth up to 18Gbps.
HDMI 2.1 Full Bandwidth
:
No
✕
What it is:
HDMI 2.1 is the latest update to the HDMI standard and supports a range of higher video resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K. Dynamic HDR formats are also supported, and bandwidth capability is increased up to 48Gbps.
ARC
:
Yes (HDMI 1)
✕
What it is:
Audio Return Channel (ARC) enables a TV to transmit, via an HDMI cable, audio data to an A/V receiver, without the need for any extra audio cables.
When it matters:
When connecting your audio/video receiver directly to your TV via an HDMI cable.
USB 3.0
:
No
✕
What it is:
USB 3.0 is the latest USB standard which can transfer data up to 5 Gbit/s, and is easily recognizable due to its blue color-coding of the connector.
Sound Quality
✕
What it is:
How well and accurately the audio is reproduced.
When it matters:
When a good and accurate sound reproduction is needed.
Score components:
- 75% Frequency Response
- 25% Distortion
Score distribution:
The sound quality of the Vizio M Series 2018 is ordinary. This TV gets decently loud, but it may not be loud enough for large and noisy environments. It also lacks a lot of bass and doesn't produce much thump or punch. However, it produces clear dialogs and has relatively low distortion. For a better sound, dedicated speakers or a soundbar is recommended.
6.4
Frequency Response
✕
What it is:
How accurately the sound level of each frequency is being produced.
When it matters:
For a balanced and neutral sound.
Score components:
- 30% Low-Frequency Extension
- 5% Std. Dev. @ 70
- 20% Std. Dev. @ 80
- 15% Std. Dev. @ Max
- 20% Max
- 10% Dynamic Range Compression
Score distribution:
Low-Frequency Extension
:
106.79 Hz
✕
What it is:
The lowest frequency at which the frequency response reaches -3dB of the target response.
When it matters:
Movies, Gaming. Shows how extended the bass is.
Good value:
< 60Hz
Noticeable difference:
10Hz
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. @ 70
:
4.05 dB
✕
What it is:
The amount of deviation (weighted standard deviation) in frequency response measured at 70dB SPL, as compared to a target response that would sound perfectly balanced to most people.
When it matters:
Shows the TV's frequency response at quiet listening levels
Good value:
< 4 dB
Noticeable difference:
0.5 dB
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. @ 80
:
4.06 dB
✕
What it is:
The amount of deviation (weighted standard deviation) in frequency response measured at 80dB SPL, as compared to a target response that would sound perfectly balanced to most people.
When it matters:
Shows the TV's frequency response at moderate listening levels
Good value:
< 4 dB
Noticeable difference:
0.5 dB
Score distribution:
Std. Dev. @ Max
:
5.41 dB
✕
What it is:
The amount of deviation (weighted standard deviation) in frequency response measured with the TV at maximum volume, as compared to a target response that would sound perfectly balanced to most people.
When it matters:
Shows the TV's frequency response at under maximum load
Good value:
< 4 dB
Noticeable difference:
2 dB
Score distribution:
Max
:
86.4 dB SPL
✕
What it is:
Maximum volume reached by the TV at their optimum viewing distance (size dependent)
When it matters:
For listening to loud audio.
Good value:
> 88 dB
Noticeable difference:
2 dB
Score distribution:
Dynamic Range Compression
:
3.71 dB
✕
What it is:
The amount of difference between the TVs frequency response performance at 70dB SPL and Max dB SPL. Too much compression will result in pumping in the sound.
When it matters:
When an accurate and free-of-pumping performance is required at higher volumes
Good value:
< 3dB
Noticeable difference:
0.5
Score distribution:
The frequency response is mediocre. Low-frequency extension (LFE) is at 107Hz, which means this TV doesn't produce a lot of thump or punch in the bass range. The response above the TV's LFE point is good, suggesting clear dialog reproduction. However, there is significant pumping and compression at louder volumes, and since this TV doesn't have a room correction system, it wasn't able to remove the modes of our test room around 200Hz. Additionally, this TV gets decently loud, but it may not be loud enough for large and noisy environments,
7.3
Distortion
✕
What it is:
Deformation of an output signal compared to its input, usually clipping, harmonic distortion, or inter-modulation distortion caused by non-linear behavior of the sound system.
When it matters:
When a clean, pure and transparent reproduction is desired.
Score components:
- 40% Weighted THD @ 80
- 25% Weighted THD @ Max
- 10% IMD @ 80
- 25% IMD @ Max
Score distribution:
Weighted THD @ 80
:
0.343
✕
What it is:
The overall amount of harmonic distortion measured at 80dB SPL. To make the score more perceptually relevant, more weight is given to the higher frequencies.
When it matters:
How pure the sound is at moderate listening levels.
Good value:
< 0.100
Noticeable difference:
0.100
Score distribution:
Weighted THD @ Max
:
1.066
✕
What it is:
The overall amount of harmonic distortion measured at the TV's maximum SPL. To make the score more perceptually relevant, more weight is given to the higher frequencies.
When it matters:
How pure the sound is at moderate listening levels.
Good value:
< 0.100
Noticeable difference:
0.100
Score distribution:
IMD @ 80
:
0.72 %
✕
What it is:
The average amount of inter-modulation distortion produced by the TV under maximum load. The percentage shown here is the average result of 3 separate test signals/standards: SMPTE, DIN, & CCIF
When it matters:
When a clean and free of aliasing reproduction is desired
Good value:
< 5%
Noticeable difference:
2
Score distribution:
IMD @ Max
:
1.71 %
✕
What it is:
The average amount of inter-modulation distortion produced by the TV under maximum load. The percentage shown here is the average result of 3 separate test signals/standards: SMPTE, DIN, & CCIF
When it matters:
When a clean and free of aliasing reproduction is desired
Good value:
< 5%
Noticeable difference:
2
Score distribution:
The distortion performance of the Vizio M65-F0 is decent. The overall amount of THD produced is within decent limits at 80dB SPL, and there is not a big jump in THD at maximum volume either. However, this TV doesn't get very loud.
Smart Features
The Vizio M Series 2018 uses the Vizio SmartCast smart interface. The selection of smart features is very basic, the main attraction is the built-in Chromecast media streaming device, which allows you to stream files from just about anything. There is a small selection of built-in apps that cover the basics, but there is no app store and no way to add additional functionality.
7.0
Interface
✕
What it is:
The usability, features and performance of the main interface of the TV, not including the interfaces of the apps themselves.
When it matters:
Anytime when using the TV, but especially when changing settings and using apps.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Ease of Use
:
Easy
✕
What it is:
How easy the interface is to navigate, affected by the organization of its layout, placing frequently accessed elements in areas that are faster to access, etc.
When it matters:
When using the smart features.
Smoothness
:
Not Smooth
✕
What it is:
How smooth the interface is to navigate, affected by lag and frame drops.
When it matters:
When using the smart features.
Time Taken to Select YouTube
:
17 s
✕
What it is:
How long it takes to select YouTube for launch, starting from HDMI 1 input, when YouTube is placed first on the list of apps or added as a shortcut. This does not include app launch time, and does not use a fixed YouTube button on a remote. This serves as an indication of the time needed to select any app.
When it matters:
When launching any app.
Time Taken to Change Backlight
:
5 s
✕
What it is:
The time it takes to navigate to the 'Backlight' setting ('Brightness' on Sony TVs). This serves as an indication of how long it takes to navigate to basic TV settings.
When it matters:
When changing TV settings.
Advanced Options
:
Many
✕
What it is:
Whether advanced options and settings are available, such as color calibration.
When it matters:
When customizing the TV and using the smart features.
The interface is very basic, there are no animations, just an animated loading icon when opening the menus. The apps are somewhat slow to load, and we couldn't even get the YouTube app to load.
Update 06/22/2018: The YouTube app now works, but we have not found why it was not working during our previous testing. At the time of testing, only 14 apps were visible because the TV was connected to a Canadian WiFi network by mistake; when we connected to our U.S.A. VPN network 4 more apps appeared: Fandango Now, NBC, YouTube TV and Hulu.
10
Ad-Free
✕
What it is:
Whether or not ads can be found on the TV's smart platform.
When it matters:
When using the smart features.
Score distribution:
Ads
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the TV's main interface has ads. This does take into account ads in third-party apps.
When it matters:
When using the smart features.
Opt-out
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Whether you can opt out of the ad services or not. A TV only passes this test if it allows you to remove them completely, not only disable the personalized advertising.
When it matters:
When using the smart features.
Suggested Content in Home
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether suggested content appears in the TV's home menu or main menu. Suggested content can include recommended movies, TV shows, YouTube videos etc.
Opt-out of Suggested Content
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the suggested content feed in the home menu can be removed or hidden
There are no ads in the interface of the Vizio M-Series 2018, but there is a large banner of suggested content that can't be disabled.
6.5
Apps and Features
✕
What it is:
The usability, features and performance of apps and other smart features.
When it matters:
Only when using smart features such as apps, casting and USB playback.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
App Selection
:
Many
✕
What it is:
The number and variety of apps available to download for the smart platform.
When it matters:
When downloading new apps.
App Smoothness
:
Not Smooth
✕
What it is:
How smooth it feels to navigate the interfaces of apps, affected by lag and frame drops.
When it matters:
When using apps.
USB Drive Playback
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether the TV can play content from a drive connected to one of the TV's USB ports.
USB Drive HDR Playback
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether HDR files played from a USB drive can be displayed properly.
HDR in Netflix
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether HDR content on Netflix can be played back in HDR using the native Netflix app.
HDR in Amazon Video
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether HDR content on Amazon Video can be played in HDR using the native Amazon Video app.
HDR in YouTube
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether HDR content on YouTube can be played in HDR using the native YouTube app.
Extremely limited selection of apps and smart features. On our M65 there were only 11 apps, and there is no app store. The most common apps are there, but the YouTube app wouldn't open for us and we had to cast YouTube from a smart phone.
There was a bug during testing, when switching rapidly from HDR to SDR the settings would not change and would stay on the HDR settings. They would change back only when the TV was powered off.
Update 06/22/2018: The YouTube app now works, but we have not found why it was not working during our previous testing. At the time of testing, only 14 apps were visible because the TV was connected to a Canadian WiFi network by mistake; when we connected to our U.S.A. VPN network 4 more apps appeared: Fandango Now, NBC, YouTube TV and Hulu.
6.0
Remote
✕
What it is:
The usability and features of the TV's physical remote.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
CEC Menu Control
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote can act as a universal remote for HDMI CEC enabled devices. This was tested on our Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Blu-ray player, and may not be valid for other CEC devices as implementations vary by manufacturer.
Other Smart Features
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote has any other smart features, such as a pointer, universal remote support for non HDMI CEC devices, etc.
Very basic lightweight remote. The buttons are very small and can be hard to read for some people, but the layout is intuitive and easy to use. There are 6 button shortcuts for various streaming services at the top of the remote.
There is no voice control built in to the remote or on the TV, but if you have a separate Google Home or Amazon Alexa device they can interface with and control the TV.
8.0
Remote App
✕
What it is:
The features of the official phone and tablet app for the TV.
Score components:
Subjectively assigned
Score distribution:
Acts as the Remote
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote app can emulate all the buttons of the physical remote.
Launches Apps and Inputs
:
Inputs Only
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote app can launch the TV's apps and change between its inputs.
Inputs Text in YouTube
:
N/A
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote app can enter text for YouTube searches.
Inputs Text in Netflix
:
Yes
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote app can enter text for Netflix searches.
Streams Device Files
:
No
✕
What it is:
Whether the remote app can stream files from the phone or tablet to the TV, files such as pictures, music and video.
Controls TV Settings
:
All
✕
What it is:
Whether the app can change all or some of the settings on the TV, such as the backlight.
The remote app is good. It can replace the included remote and can be used to change inputs but not to open apps. The Vizio app can't be used to cast files from your device but third party software can be used to cast files to the built-in chromecast.
Differences between Sizes and Variants
We tested the 65" Vizio M65-F0. For the most part, we expect our review to be valid for the 55" version (Vizio M55-F0), and the 70" version (Vizio M70-F3).
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Vizio M-Series 2018 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.
| Size | Model | Clear Action | Effective Refresh Rate | Real Refresh Rate | Local Dimming Zones |
| 55" | M55-F0 | 360 | 120 Hz | 60 Hz | 32 |
| 65" | M65-F0 | 360 | 120 Hz | 60 Hz | 40 |
| 70" | M70-F3 | 360 | 120 Hz | 60 Hz | 48 |
Compared to other TVs
Top left: Samsung Q8FN (QN55Q8FNBFXZA). Bottom left: Samsung NU8000 (UN55NU8000 ). Middle: Vizio M-Series 2018 (M55-F0). Top right: TCL R617 (55R617). Bottom right: Sony X900F (XBR55X900F). Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.
The Vizio M-Series 2018 is a good mid-range 4k TV with a few minor flaws. It is a good improvement over the 2017 M-Series but faces some tough competition.
TCL R617
55" 65"
The TCL 6-Series (R615/R617) is better than the Vizio M Series 2018. The TCL R617 is better in a bright room, as it can get much brighter, especially in HDR. The R617 has issues with uniformity, so sports fans might find the Vizio is a safer choice. The Vizio M does not have any motion interpolation features, so if you enjoy the smooth motion provided by motion interpolation, the R617 is a better choice.
Sony X850F
65" 75" 85"
The Vizio M Series 2018 is a better TV than the Sony X850F unless you have a wide, bright room. The Vizio M Series has better picture quality and is better suited for dark room viewing. Motion looks better on the Sony X850F since it has a motion interpolation feature and is essentially flicker-free. The Vizio M Series 2018 also has better low input lag, great for gaming.
LG SK8000
49" 55" 65"
The Vizio M Series 2018 is better than the LG SK8000 for most uses but sports fans or daytime TV viewers will appreciate the wider viewing angle of the SK8000. The Vizio M Series has better picture quality and is better suited for a variety of room types. The LG SK8000 has a mediocre native contrast ratio and ineffective local dimming, so dark room performance isn't as good.
Samsung NU7100
40" 43" 50" 55" 65" 75"
The Vizio M Series 2018 is better than the Samsung NU7100. The M Series has better picture quality and has better dark room performance thanks to the full array local dimming feature. The Vizio M Series 2018 has better motion handling, with a much fast response time so it has less motion blur. The Samsung NU7100 has a motion interpolation feature which the Vizio lacks, and it has better input lag.
Conclusion
SEE PRICE
B&H
7.8Mixed Usage
✕
What it is
General purpose. The TV will be used for a variety of content and usages. Movies at night, TV shows during the day, video games from time to time, etc.
Score components:
- 22% TV Shows
- 22% Sports
- 16% Movies
- 16% Video Games
- 10% HDR Gaming
- 9% HDR Movies
- 6% PC Monitor
Score distribution:
The Vizio M Series 2018 is a good TV for mixed usage. It has good picture quality and works well in a dark room. It also has great motion handling and excellent low input lag, perfect for gaming or fast moving action scenes.
7.6Movies
✕
What it is
Movies in the dark. The TV will be used for watching movies in a controlled environment, directly in front, in a home theater way. Mostly only high quality content, like Blu-rays, UHD Blu-rays, streaming and a little bit of HDR.
Score components:
- 20% Contrast
- 17% Local Dimming
- 12% 1080p Input
- 10% Black Uniformity
- 8% Gray Uniformity
- 8% 4k Input
- 6% 24p Judder
- 5% Motion Interpolation
- 5% Stutter
- 3% SDR ABL
- 3% Pre Calibration
- 2% Post Calibration
- 2% 480p Input
Score distribution:
Good TV for watching movies in a dark room. The native contrast is good, but not as good as most VA TVs. The local dimming feature is decent, but not very effective at boosting the black levels. It has excellent black uniformity with very little clouding.
7.4TV Shows
✕
What it is
TV Shows in a bright living room. The TV will be used in to watch TV shows, in a bright room during the day, from multiple viewing positions at different angles. The content watched has an average quality: cable, streaming, SD channels, etc.
Score components:
- 29% Reflections
- 16% SDR Peak Brightness
- 11% Viewing Angle
- 9% 1080p Input
- 7% 720p Input
- 5% Gray Uniformity
- 5% 4k Input
- 5% Sound Quality
- 5% Smart Features
- 3% Motion Interpolation
- 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 2% Pre Calibration
- 2% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Post Calibration
Score distribution:
Decent TV for watching TV Shows in a bright room. It has good reflection handling and gets decently bright, but can't overcome glare in a very bright room. The viewing angle is bad, and if you like to work around the house while watching TV, you will be disappointed.
7.6Sports
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What it is
Sports in a living room. The TV will be used to watch sports during the day, like football or hockey. Usually watched with a group, so from multiple viewing position.
Score components:
- 25% Reflections
- 20% Response Time
- 14% SDR Peak Brightness
- 11% Viewing Angle
- 10% Gray Uniformity
- 8% 720p Input
- 5% Sound Quality
- 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
Score distribution:
Good TV for watching Sports during the day. The Vizio M65-F0 has good reflection handling and great peak brightness but it can't overcome bright glare. The viewing angle is bad, which isn't great for watching the big game with a group of friends.
8.5Video Games
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What it is
Video games. The TV will be used to play video games, directly in front, in a controlled light environment. Usually fast games, like online FPS, where motion blur and input lag is important.
Score components:
- 33% Input Lag
- 22% Response Time
- 6% 1080p Input
- 6% 4k Input
- 4% Contrast
- 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 3% Reflections
- 3% Gray Uniformity
- 3% Sound Quality
- 3% Local Dimming
- 2% Black Uniformity
- 2% SDR Peak Brightness
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 1% Stutter
- 1% Variable Refresh Rate
- 1% 4k @ 60Hz
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Post Calibration
- 1% 1440p @ 60Hz
Score distribution:
Great TV for playing video games. Input lag is excellent and low across all supported resolutions and modes as long as Game Modeis used. There is very little motion blur and it has a great flicker feature that can improve the clarity of motion without significantly reducing the brightness.
7.7HDR Movies
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What it is
HDR Movies and TV shows. The TV will be used to watch 4k UHD HDR content, with a wide color gamut and a high peak brightness. Either via UHD Blu-rays or HDR streaming.
Score components:
- 22% Contrast
- 14% Local Dimming
- 12% 4k Input
- 11% Black Uniformity
- 6% HDR Peak Brightness
- 6% Color Gamut
- 6% Color Volume
- 5% Gray Uniformity
- 4% Stutter
- 4% 24p Judder
- 3% HDR ABL
- 2% Motion Interpolation
- 2% Pre Calibration
- 2% Gradient
- 1% Post Calibration
- 1% HDR10
- 1% Dolby Vision
Score distribution:
Good TV for watching movies in HDR. The native contrast ratio is excellent, and dark room performance is great. The local dimming feature is poor, and isn't very efficient. It doesn't support a wide color gamut and some scenes will lack detail in HDR.
8.3HDR Gaming
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What it is
HDR Gaming. The TV will be used to play HDR video games using consoles that support it or on current generation gaming PCs. Xbox One S, PS4 Pro, GTX 10 series and AMD RX series graphics cards.
Score components:
- 25% 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
- 15% Response Time
- 8% Contrast
- 7% Color Gamut
- 7% Color Volume
- 5% Local Dimming
- 4% 1080p Input
- 4% 4k Input
- 4% Black Uniformity
- 3% HDR ABL
- 3% HDR Peak Brightness
- 3% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% Gradient
- 2% Reflections
- 1% Variable Refresh Rate
- 1% HDR10
- 1% Dolby Vision
- 1% Sound Quality
- 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 1% Temporary Image Retention
- 1% Post Calibration
Score distribution:
Great TV for gaming in HDR. It has excellent low input lag and there is very little motion blur thanks to the fast pixel response time. Decent brightness with HDR content and it has good dark room performance. It doesn't support a wide color gamut which negatively affects the color volume.
8.1PC Monitor
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What it is
PC Monitor. The TV will be used as a PC monitor, from 2-3 feet away, either for productivity purposes or gaming. Sharp text is important, as well as a high resolution.
Score components:
- 28% Inputs
- 14% Viewing Angle
- 13% Response Time
- 8% Permanent Burn-In Risk
- 6% Reflections
- 5% Temporary Image Retention
- 4% 4k Input
- 3% SDR Peak Brightness
- 3% 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 3% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 2% Contrast
- 2% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
- 2% Curved
- 2% Gray Uniformity
- 2% 1080p Input
- 1% Local Dimming
- 1% Black Uniformity
- 1% Flicker-Free
- 1% Pre Calibration
- 0% Post Calibration
Score distribution:
Good performance when used as a PC Monitor. The pixel response time is fast and it has great low input lag so navigating with a mouse feels responsive. It supports chroma 4:4:4 and text looks crisp. The viewing angle is bad and it will need to placed a few feet away from the viewing area otherwise the edge of the screen will fade.
Questions & Answers
11 ANSWERED QUESTIONS
8
Additional Review Notes
All our input lag measurements were done with our Leo Bodnar tool chained with an HDFury Integral and Linker (as described here), in order to change the input signal to the desired resolution and chroma subsampling. When the input lag was measured with the Leo Bodnar tool alone, the TV treated the signal differently (sharpness and black detail were greyed out, etc.), but the input lag did not change (remained ~22 ms). Last year's M Series 2017 also treated the Leo Bodnar signal differently, but had much lower input lag as a result. It is unknown why many Vizio TVs treat the Leo Bodnar tool differently than any other input.
3
Let's say I just bought the Vizio M 2017, and still have a couple months to return it and replace it with the 2018 M for the exact same price. Any reason to go through the hassle of re-boxing, returning, and purchasing the new version? Note that I have a very bright living room in the daytime as it's mostly windows, so I appreciate any feedback based on bright conditions (but very dark at night).
If you can still return it and get the 2018 for the same price, it is probably worth it. The 2018 Vizio M is a bit brighter in SDR than the 2017 Vizio M, has better reflection handling, and better input lag.
2
How does this year's M Series compare to the Vizio M Series 2017?
Overall the newer 2018 model is a better TV, but there are some trade-offs. Compared to the Vizio M Series 2017, the 2018 model has:
- Better reflection handling, which is useful for those who have bright room with some glare
- Lower input lag for gaming or PC use
- No wide color gamut
- A tuner
1
For a brighter living room, i.e. a corner unit apartment with mostly windows, would you suggest this TV or is there another one at this price point (~$1200-1500) that will have a much brighter picture? I was looking at the Sony 65X930E, as this one has HDR/DV and looks to get quite bright. Any others to consider?
The Sony X930E is definitely a great choice, albeit quite a bit more expensive than the Vizio M Series 2018. It is a lot brighter, and has better reflection handling, which are both must haves for a bright corner apartment. You could also consider the Sony X900F or X900E.
1
So the 2018 Vizio M-Series TV's don't have Wide Color Gamut? I know the 2017 version does have it, which I thought was very important for bright colors.
That is correct, the 2018 Vizio M Series does not have a wide color gamut, unlike the Vizio M Series 2017 model. When watching the TV on its own most people probably won't notice a huge difference, but in a side by side comparison this would be more noticeable. This only makes a difference when watching content in HDR, the Vizio M Series can accurately display the entire gamut for SDR content.
0
I was seriously considering purchasing this particular model this year after seeing the 2017 model and the value it offered. However, I’m a bit dumbfounded by Vizio’s decision to not give the 2018 M-series a wide color gamut. Is it possible that this is an error? I was going to go with a 2018 model for HDR movies and I prefer to buy a TV with a more proven track record than other “budget” brands but if the TV doesnt have a wide color gamut, it’s a no go for me. Thanks for all you do RTINGS! I probably just saved a lot of money by waiting for this review.
It is indeed an interesting decision for Vizio to go for a narrower color gamut on the M series 2018, but the 2018 model is still superior to the 2017 model in all usages except for movies. On the 2017 M series, there was an option in the settings menu to enable wide color gamuts which is not in the 2018 M series' settings. We are always happy to help!
0
The Sony X900E is a TV that is on my radar, and this year's M Series compares price wise to that TV in my area, so which is the better by?
The Sony X900E has better bright room performance than the Vizio M 2018 since it has better reflection handling and is a bit brighter. It also has more vibrant colors with a much wider color gamut and better color volume. The X900E supports motion interpolation, which could be good if you enjoy the soap opera effect. Overall, the Sony X900E is the better TV.
0
So all HDMI ports now support 4K Dolby Vision? Last year ARC and 4K DV on one port was awful.
Thank you for contacting us.
Yes in this years' model all ports support the HDMI 2.0 and thus 4K Dolby Vision. ARC is still only on HDMI port 1, but this should no longer be an issue.
0
Vizio website says that the M series 2018 has a 360Hz Clear Action and 120Hz native refresh rate. Is that correct?
As explained in our Fake Refresh Rate article, the "Effective Refresh Rate" of Vizio TVs is simply double the amount of their real refresh rate. The "Clear Action" number doesn't have much to do with the refresh rate of the TVs and refers to their backlight scanning feature. The real refresh rate of the panel of the M series 2018 is 60Hz.
0
Why is there such a thick black bezel around the glass screen? Why bother to use a thin metal border if you leave a thick black edge to the picture on the screen?
The new design on the M series 2018 seems to prioritize reducing the size of the borders before the bezels, supposedly to provide a more sleek and premium look to the TV.
0
Any idea when the P series will be reviewed? I'm curious how it will compare with this M series. I'm a owner of a 75" P series of 2017 after Vizio replaced my 2016 version which was rebooting. Regardless, both versions have horrible banding/DSE during panning shots of any media (light/bright scenes). I'm past the warranty date so I'm SOL, but still like to stay informed. Thanks!
The Vizio P Series 2018 review has just been posted. It is a better TV than the Vizio M Series 2018. It has slightly better picture quality, but much better motion handling. The P Series 2018 has a faster response time and a much better backlight that is nearly flicker-free. The P Series also has a motion interpolation feature which the M Series 2018 lacks.
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