Vizio VBR200W Blu-ray Player Reviewed

Published On: April 30, 2010
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
We May Earn From Purchases Via Links

Vizio VBR200W Blu-ray Player Reviewed

One of the least expensive Blu-ray players to offer built-in 802.11n for network access, Vizio's VBR200W ($199.99) also includes the well-rounded Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) platform, with Netflix, VUDU, Twitter, Pandora, and more.

Vizio VBR200W Blu-ray Player Reviewed

By Author: Adrienne Maxwell
Adrienne Maxwell is the former Managing Editor of HomeTheaterReview.com, Home Theater Magazine, and HDTVEtc.com. Adrienne has also written for Wirecutter, Home Entertainment Magazine, AVRev.com, ModernHomeTheater.com, and other top specialty audio/video publications. She is an ISF Level II-certified video calibrator who specializes in reviews of flat-panel HDTVs, front video projectors, video screens, video servers, and video source devices, both disc- and streaming-based.

VIZIO-VBR200W-review.gifVizio may be best known for its wallet-friendly HDTVs, but did you know that the company also offers an ever-growing assortment of peripherals to accompany said TVs--from cables to wall-mounts to sound bars to Blu-ray players. The VBR200W ($199.99) is the newest addition to Vizio's Blu-ray lineup. We have not performed a hands-on review of the VBR200W, but here is an overview of its features. This Profile 2.0 player supports BD-Live Web functionality and BonusView/picture-in-picture playback, and it offers both onboard decoding and bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The VBR200W features built-in 802.11n for a wireless network connection, and the player supports the new Vizio Internet Apps platform, which includes access to Netflix and VUDU video-on-demand, Pandora, Flickr, Twitter and more.

Additional Resources
• Read more Blu-ray player reviews by the staff at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Explore television options in our LED HDTV and Plasma HDTV review sections.

 

In terms of video connections, the VBR200W offers HDMI, component video and composite video outputs (no S-video). This player supports both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 output resolutions via HDMI. The VBR200W does not offer any advanced picture adjustments, like noise reduction, preset picture modes, etc. Audio outputs include HDMI, optical and coaxial digital, and 2-channel analog. The VBR200W has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it also passes these high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. The player lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so the only way to pass decoded high-resolution audio formats is via HDMI.

The VBR200W supports playback of BD, DVD, CD audio, AVCHD, JPEG, and MP3. You can add the player to your home network using either the back-panel Ethernet port or the internal 802.11n wireless module. The VBR200W lacks internal memory to store BD-Live content; a back-panel USB port is provided for this purpose. The USB port also supports music and photo playback. The player lacks advanced control ports, such as RS-232 or IR.

High Points
• The VBR200W supports 1080p/24 playback of Blu-ray discs.
• The player has internal high-resolution audio decoding and can pass these formats in bitstream form over HDMI.
• It supports BD-Live Web content and can play picture-in-picture bonus content.
• You can wirelessly connect the VBR200W to your network.
• This player supports access to Netflix, VUDU, Pandora and more.

Low Points
• The VBR200W lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so it's not the best choice for someone who owns an older, non-HDMI A/V receiver.
• This player lacks onboard memory to store downloadable BD-Live content.
• You can't stream digital media from a PC or DLNA server.
• Vizio Internet Apps currently does not include YouTube access.
• The VBR200W lacks an advanced control port like RS-232.
• This player is not 3D-capable.

Conclusion
The addition of Vizio Internet Apps makes the VBR200W much more competitive with Blu-ray players from manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG. In terms of price, Vizio doesn't have quite the edge here that you see in the HDTV realm: the VBR200W's $199.99 MSRP is a good value, but this player is not significantly less expensive than similarly equipped models from those other guys. It is one of the least expensive models to offer a built-in wireless network connection; so, if running an Ethernet cable to your A/V rack is simply out of the question, you might want give the VBR200W a closer look.

Subscribe To Home Theater Review

Get the latest weekly home theater news, sweepstakes and special offers delivered right to your inbox
Email Subscribe
HomeTheaterReview Rating
Value: 
Performance: 
Overall Rating: 
© JRW Publishing Company, 2023
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

magnifiercross
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram
Share to...