If looks could kill, you’d better be careful when shopping for flat-panel TVs
nowadays. Improvements in cosmetic design have come along faster than you can
say, “Where’s the Chanel counter?” This issue’s threesome is no exception. All
of them look great on the outside; but while they share similar specs (720p
resolution, number of inputs, brightness, etc.), each has its own unique
blemishes. Go ahead and be judgmental because, as with any TV, beauty is
ultimately in the eye of the beholder.
Look and Feel -ViewSonic N3250w
The ViewSonic almost nudges out
the Vizio L32 as the classiest looking set with its seductive all-black cabinet
and svelte I-beam-style foot stand. The top-mounted control buttons are large
and nicely spaced apart, too, but there’s a slight wobble in each button when
pressed. As a result, the buttons feel cheaper than you would expect from this
otherwise solid set—although they work great. The universal remote control is
marginal at best, giving the overall lead to Vizio.
Winner: Vizio L32 Sound - ViewSonic N3250w
The ViewSonic comes in second in
sound behind the Soyo. With only bass and treble controls, it’s hard to
accurately compensate for the accentuated midrange of the N3250w. The
high-frequency output sounds more muted and not as piercing as many TVs that
have small built-in speakers.
Winner: Soyo DYLTO32A
Picture - ViewSonic N3250w
The N3250w wins the overall picture quality
contest. Diagonal lines are the smoothest while the resolved detail is the
highest of the three. The noise reduction is judicious and causes minimal
smearing. While it doesn’t lock into film mode as quickly as the Vizio, the
minimal noise reduction artifacts make it by far the best TV of the three for
watching analog NTSC content. The set’s accurate color balance and gray scale
make it great for HD.
Winner: ViewSonic N3250w
Ergonomics - ViewSonic N3250w
The shallow-depth design of
the N3250w’s stand means it will fit closer to a wall than the others. The
included universal remote is uncomfortable to hold and pedestrian in appearance.
Control buttons are located at the top of the cabinet except for the power
on/off button, which is located on the lower front. But what was ViewSonic
thinking when they failed to include a source select button on the TV itself?
The clunky, user-unfriendly menu structure could use a bit of rethinking,
too.
Winner: Vizio L32)
ViewSonic N3250w
$1,299
www.viewsonic.com
800.888.8583
RATING: ELEVATED
