Published On: May 12, 2011

Vizio E3D470VX 47-inch Class Theater 3D LCD HDTV Reviewed

Published On: May 12, 2011
Last Updated on: February 18, 2021
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Vizio E3D470VX 47-inch Class Theater 3D LCD HDTV Reviewed

Home Theater Review writer Andrew Robinson found the Vizio's E3D470VX 3D LCD HDTV to be the right size and performance to make 3D work, but he still had a few issues with the television.

Vizio E3D470VX 47-inch Class Theater 3D LCD HDTV Reviewed

By Author: Andrew Robinson

Andrew Robinson began his career as an art director in entertainment advertising in 2003, after graduating from Art Center College of Design. In 2006, he became a creative director at Crew Creative Advertising, and oversaw the agency's Television Division, where he worked for clients such as TNT, TBS, History, FX, and Bravo to name a few. He now has one of the most popular AV-related channels on YouTube.

Vizio_E3D470VX_3D_HDTV_review_beauty.gifVizio recently released their latest crop of passive 3D HDTVs dubbed the E-Series, which include 32, 42 and 47-inch screen sizes. The E-Series main objective is to make 3D not only more affordable but more enjoyable for the average consumer since so many first generation 3D displays were marred by unreasonably high prices and silly active shutter glasses. The 47-inch E3D470VX reviewed here is the largest of its E-Series brethren as well as the most expensive at $899.99, though when compared to comparable 3D displays the E3D470VX is more than competitive in terms of price and performance.

Additional Resources
• Read more 3D HDTV reviews from Home Theater Review's staff.
• Find a 3D ready Blu-ray player, AV receiver, or AV preamp.

Speaking of performance the E3D470VX is a native 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a reported contrast ratio of 200:000:1 (dynamic). The E3D470VX's internal 10-Watt speakers feature SRS sound technology, which includes SRS TruSurround HD and SRS TruVolume. The E3D470VX is a passive 3D display meaning it uses passive or polarized glasses to view 3D content much the same way you would at your local theater. Because the E3D470VX is a passive 3D design, the included glasses (two pairs) are both lightweight and comfortable and also easy to replace should they become damaged and/or lost, which is something that can't be said for their active counterparts. Along with its 3D support the E3D470VX also features built in 802.11n WiFi, allowing the E3D470VX to connect freely with the Internet (via your wireless home network) and the various included Apps.

In terms of connection options the E3D470VX has four, 3D compliant HDMI inputs along with component, composite, S-video (yuck), RF and Ethernet inputs as well. There are two USB 2.0 inputs along the side, which are MP3 and JPEG compatible.

Other notable features include: Vizio's Ambient Light Sensor technology, which automatically adjusts the brightness of your image to changing lighting conditions and the full Qwerty keyboard located on the back of the E3D470VX's remote control.

In terms of design the E3D470VX looks like the rest of its E-Series stablemates only larger, measuring in at nearly 45 inches wide by 30 inches tall and 10 and a half inches deep when resting on its included stand. Without the stand the E3D470VX is a touch over three inches deep, which may seem like a lot but remember the E3D470VX is not an LED backlit design. The E3D470VX's total weight with its stand is 45 pounds and 40 pounds without.

Out of the box the E3D470VX does require a little bit of calibration to look its best which isn't difficult to do with the help of a simple calibration disc and the E3D470VX's beautifully rendered on-screen menus. Once calibrated, the E3D470VX's picture, both in 2D and 3D, is a sight to behold, especially considering its sub-$1,000 asking price. Colors are rich and natural in their rendering. Black levels are deep, not class leading but solid with tremendous detail and texture throughout. Whites are largely pristine with only faint traces of a vignette at the edges during brightly lit scenes or when viewing white text cards or test patterns. Motion is smooth and when viewing HD source material, largely artifact free.

The E3D470VX's 3D performance is crisp with virtually zero flicker (to my eyes at least) and suffers from none of the maladies that plague active 3D designs. The E3D470VX's 47-inch display size is just large enough, in my opinion, to make 3D a worthwhile experience. Thanks to the E3D470VX's lightweight, passive 3D glasses, sitting through a two hour 3D film such as Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D (Sony) isn't as torturous nor as nauseating as it is with active shutter technology.

Read about the high points and low points of the Vizio E3D470VX 3D HDTV on Page 2.
Vizio_E3D470VX_3D_HDTV_review_angled.gif

High Points
• At its price the E3D470VX is very competitive in both performance and feature set, which includes built in WiFi, Internet Apps and a brilliant 3D picture.
• The E3D470VX comes with two pairs of passive 3D glasses. Should you
need to purchase more or replace a broken or misplaced pair, they're
both cheap and easy to come by. You can even use RealD glasses from
your local theater at home on your E3D470VX for the two utilize the
same 3D technology.
• As good as the E3D470VX is at 3D, it's also a very capable 2D set and
one that should provide hours of hassle free enjoyment between 3D
viewings due to the still current lack of meaningful 3D content.
• The E3D470VX's onscreen menus are among the best and make critical tasks such as image calibration a breeze.
• The preloaded Internet Apps on the E3D470VX are nice, perfect if
you're addicted to sites like Facebook or prefer to stream your
favorite films courtesy of Netflix. However, I must warn you, streaming content in no way compares to the quality and resolution of Blu-ray or even HD broadcast.

Low Points
• The E3D470VX takes a while to warm up and acquire a signal, which is frustrating to say the least.
• The E3D470VX's Ambient Light Sensor technology is far too noticeable
and jarring to be worth it. Luckily it can be turned off, which you'll
want to do.
• In order to take full advantage of the E3D470VX's menus and Internet
feature set you'll have to use the remote which sadly is a piece of
junk, especially the full Qwerty keyboard on the back.
• The E3D470VX internal speakers are somewhat of a joke if you're
relying on them to create a cinema experience at home. At the very
least you should mate the E3D470VX with an affordable soundbar, or better yet an affordable 5.1 speaker system for a true home theater experience.
• While the E3D470VX's overall image quality is good, it doesn't
possess Panasonic-like black levels nor brilliant whites free of
vignette-like effects; still for its price the E3D470VX is quite good.

Competition and Comparisons
At just under $900 retail the E3D470VX has a few competitors in the 3D
space. Both Samsung and Panasonic offer similar sized 3D displays
around the E3D470VX's asking price. Samsung's 51-inch 3D HDTV plasma
(PN51D490A1) has a street price of $899, however it's a 720p display
and doesn't feature the latest passive 3D technology nor does it
provide for any type of Internet connectivity.

With regards to Panasonic, their 42-inch VIERA 1080p 3D LED HDTV is
a bit more than the Vizio E3D470VX with a street price of $989.99
thanks to its LED backlighting. Still the Panasonic is an active 3D
design and while it allows for Internet connectivity it does not have
WiFi capabilities built in like the Vizio.

LG now offers a host of passive 3D displays, including a 47-inch set
in the 47LW5600; however unlike the E3D470VX it uses LED backlighting
but also costs considerably more at $1,699.99. I've demoed some of LG's
passive 3D displays and found their 2D performance to be superb,
however I feel they come up short in terms of their 3D performance when
compared to the Vizio's E3D470VX.

For more information on 3D HDTVs including the latest news and reviews please visit Home Theater Review's 3D HDTV page.

Conclusion
At $899.99 retail the Vizio E3D470VX E-Series 47-inch Class Theater 3D
LCD HDTV is a winner in more ways than one. As a 2D display the
E3D470VX can more than hold its own with the competition providing an
accurate and natural image that appears more organic and cinematic in
its rendering than anything you're going to find at its asking price.
In terms of its 3D performance, the E3D470VX is this reviewer's current
favorite, providing for 3D enjoyment that's crisp and flicker free but
more importantly not nauseating. While I still think 3D is not an
all-encompassing experience in the home as it is in a theater, the
E3D470VX at least manages to make it enjoyable and trouble free. The
E3D470VX's built in WiFi is a nice addition and the included Internet
Apps are functional and convenient - though I can't say the same for
the E3D470VX's remote, which almost manages to ruin the day. Still, at
and even a bit above its asking price, the E3D470VX is a good 2D and 3D
HDTV and worth your consideration.

Additional Resources
• Read more 3D HDTV reviews from Home Theater Review's staff.
• Find a 3D ready Blu-ray player, AV receiver, or AV preamp.

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