Home Theater Review

Vizio's 2010 LCD lineup is perhaps its most ambitious yet, including a wide range of edge-lit and full-array LED models. The full-array models carry the TruLED moniker, while the edge-lit models sport the RazorLED tag. As the name suggests, the 2XVT Series is the follow-up to last year's top-shelf XVT line and utilizes the company's most advanced set of technologies and features. We have not performed a hands-on review of the SV472XVT ($1,799.99), but here is an overview of the TV's features.

Additional Resources
• Explore more reviews of LED HDTVs from HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Read about Vizio's decision to add 3D to its television lines.

This 47-inch, 1080p LCD uses a full-array LED backlight system, with local dimming (called Smart Dimming) that allows the LEDs to respond dynamically to the content being shown on the screen to produce better blacks and contrast. The backlight system consists of 640 LEDs in 80 zones. This TV also uses Vizio's 240Hz SPS technology to reduce motion blur and film judder; the technology combines a 120Hz frame rate with a scanning backlight to create a 240Hz effect. You can add the SV472XVT to a home network via wired Ethernet or the integrated 802.11n WiFi system, and this TV includes the Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) Web platform, with access to Netflix, VUDU, Amazon VOD, Pandora, Rhapsody, Twitter and more. It comes with Vizio's special Bluetooth remote with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easier text input. (For $100 less, Vizio offers a similar model, the XVT472SV, that has the same video specs but omits the Bluetooth remote and VIA Web platform.)

The connection panel includes four HDMI inputs but only one component video input--a trend we're seeing with many new higher-end models. It also has a PC input and an RF input to access the internal ATSC and Clear-QAM tuners (picture-in-picture functionality is available). The HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 signals, and one is located on the side panel for easy access. Also on the side panel are three USB ports for service only, not media playback. The Ethernet port is located on the rear panel. The SV472XVT lacks an RS-232 or IR port for integration into an advanced control system.

The SV472XVT has a solid array of picture controls, but it lacks some of the advanced options you get with higher-end models from other TV manufacturers. There are nine picture modes (four of which are tuned for sports programming) and four color-temperature settings, including a custom mode through which you can adjust RGB gain and offset to dial in a more accurate white balance. The TV lacks an ambient light sensor, an advanced gamma control and a color-management system to individually fine-tune the six color points. Instead, you get a Color Enhancement system that lets you choose between five color palettes: Off, Normal, Rich Color, Green/flesh, and Green/blue. Noise reduction is available, as is a Smart Dimming control that lets you turn the LED zone control on or off. The 240Hz function is controlled by two menu options: Real Cinema and Smooth Motion Effect. The Real Cinema setting lets you dictate an initial setting of Off, Precision, or Smooth; then, the Smooth Motion Effect menu lets you dictate the intensity level of the Smooth setting. Finally, the TV has five aspect-ratio options, including a Normal mode to view HD images without overscan and a newly added Zoom 1 mode to crop out extraneous noise when needed.

On the audio side, the setup menu includes five preset audio modes, plus a balance control, a lip sync function and an equalizer to fine-tune various frequencies. SRS TruSurround HD and SRS TruVolume are available.

The SV472XVT has EnergyStar 3.0 certification. This TV came out just before EnergyStar 4.0 went into effect, but Vizio does claim that the SV472XVT's power consumption is 50 percent below EnergyStar 3.0 requirements.

Read about the high points and the low points of the SV472XVT on Page 2.