The Vizio P series was probably the most highly anticipated TV of 2014. Ever since it was introduced at CES 2014 at a starting price of $999 with the heady promise of full-array local dimming combined with 4K resolution, I envisioned an LCD TV that would be close to as recommendable as some of the plasmas of yore. Or at least, the most recommendable LCD TV of 2014.
Unfortunately for Vizio, it was not. My initial review revealed some pretty serious video processing issues, which made the picture look too sharp, overly-enhanced and even, with some material, plagued by artifacts like unnatural twinkles and twitchy moving lines. The worst part was you couldn't turn the processing off.
With its latest round of software updates, however, Vizio has (largely) fixed the issue, and the P series becomes much more recommendable. Its picture quality isn't quite the match of the Samsung HU8550, but it's much less expensive.
On the other hand, it's also hundreds more than other Vizios like the E-series and M-series, and its picture quality isn't that much better, despite the extra resolution of 4K (which, if I may reiterate, is barely visible anyway).
The additional problem for Vizio is that the TVs announced at CES 2015 will be making their way to store shelves in a couple of months, so buyers interested in the latest and greatest might already consider the darling of CES 2014 old hat. If you can overcome that bias, however, you'll find the P series an excellent performer and the best 4K TV value available today.
Editors' Note: This review has been updated since its initial publication based on changes observed as a result of installing new software, version 1.1.14. The scores for performance and value have each been raised from 7 to 8, and the overall score from 7.2 to 7.9. Please see the Picture Quality section for additional details.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch (P55) and 65-inch (P65) sizes, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. Aside from the differences noted in this review, especially related to the 55-incher's IPS panel (see 'Picture quality,' below), all sizes have identical specs, and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
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Design
The 2014 Vizio M and P series look almost identical, except that the silver finish on the stand and sides of the P is somewhat darker, which I prefer. There's Vizio's characteristic "tab" logo on the far right, a thin, black bezel, the rounded corners and the matching open-base stand, which doesn't swivel. It's a nice, clean look, but certainly not a standout compared to most makers' 4K sets.V
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From the side, the 2014 P series is thicker than many LCD TVs, thanks in part to a direct LED backlight. That's a minor disadvantage in our book, not least because nobody watches TV from the side. It's still not exactly chunky.V
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The topside of Vizio's remote is pretty mediocre. There's no backlighting, little key differentiation, and the arrangement of keys around the cursor always tripped me up. On the flip side is a full QWERTY keyboard that I liked a lot better. It's fully backlit and includes touches like directional keys and a dedicated ".com" button to ease log-ins.V
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The menu system has the same arrangement as other recent Vizio sets. It's basic, easy to navigate, and I appreciate the helpful on-screen touches, including descriptions of various menu items and access to the full user manual.V
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| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology: | LCD | LED backlight: | Full-array with local dimming | |
| Screen shape: | Flat | Resolution: | 4K (UHD) | |
| Smart TV: | Yes | Remote: | QWERTY Wi-Fi | |
| Cable box control: | No | IR blaster: | N/A | |
| 3D technology: | None | 3D glasses included: | N/A | |
| Screen finish: | Semi-matte | Refresh rate: | 240Hz | |
| DLNA-compliant: | Photo/Music/Video | USB media: | Photo/Music/Video | |
| Screen mirroring: | No | Control via app | No |
