Note: Vizio provided us with the Vizio P65-F1 at no charge in order to conduct this review.
Recently we were fortunate enough to get our hands on the newly released Vizio P65-F1 so we could give our review on how it holds up. If it’s anything like their M-series line the Vizio M50-E0 we reviewed last year though, odds are that we’re in for a real treat. Immediately after taking it out of the box, the flat screen gave the impression of having a sleek and simple design with a slim glass border that was flush with the screen. The bottom piece fits this impression as well, and while it does stick out a bit more than the screen it would still seem unobtrusive if mounted under the TV or placed somewhere below.
The set up was incredibly easy as well, and basically just involved mounting it to the wall and plugging it in. We immediately found that the TV included a built-in digital tuners which means the days of using an actual cable to receive local channels (a bit ironic) are over. It also included what is basically Google Cast but called “Vizio SmartCast”, which just means it has all the standard features of being able to project content onto your TV but with added elements which are owned solely by Vizio. This means you can project any forms of media you would like onto the screen, although this may not be necessary as the TV already comes pre-installed with some apps like Netflix and YouTube. With all that being said let’s get to what’s really important, the picture quality.
Picture Quality:
Vizio
As expected with a Vizio TV, the picture quality is very good and makes a case for it providing one of the highest quality images you can get within its current price range. The blacks are incredibly dark, and when combined with the bright and colorful images the TV is able to produce the end result is a very effective and photo-realistic contrast. This can partly be attributed to the TV’s ability to show both standard dynamic range (SDR) content, as well as high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging. This, combined with it including full array backlighting which means there are LED’s spread throughout the entire screen rather than just the edges is what allows it to produce such incredibly clear and stunning images.
Specifications:
• 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution
• High Dynamic Range (HDR10 & Dolby Vision)
• Full-Array Local Dimming LED backlights
• 56/100/120 local dimming zones (size dependent)
• Effective Refresh Rate: 240Hz
• Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 50M:1
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Viewable Angle (H/V): 178° /178°
• Number of Colors: 1.07 Billion
Vizio
It’s not just about image quality though, Vizio improved its connectivity from last year, enabling four of the inputs to accept all major 4K and HDR sources. It’s worth mentioning that the TV features an incredibly convenient five HDMI 2.0 inputs (2 side / 3 bottom) meaning you can have pretty much as many devices hooked up as you could want without ever having to plug and unplug things. Once we had our Xbox running a FIFA 18 game going, we were pleasantly surprised to see the TV easily kept up with the fast motion blur of the game with the TV being almost if not completely flicker free. Clear Action 720 is used to ensure that fast-action content gets an effective 240Hz refresh rate. And, unlike last year, it does include an antenna port for the TV’s built-in over-the-air TV tuner, just like those of competitors.
Sound Quality:
As to be expected with the built-in speakers of any TV, you would definitely be better off hooking it up to a separate sound system rather than relying on the TV alone. I was somewhat surprised with how loud the speakers were able to get, but that didn’t make up for the sub-par amount of bass it could produce. The speakers will certainly do if you have nothing else, but getting a designated sound system is definitely recommended.
Smart Features:
Vizio
The P-Series continues to use the SmartCast with Chromecast built-in smart system, which is basically a Google Cast but with elements that are proprietary to Vizio. You can also control the P-Series with your phone and cast any content to the screen that you could cast using Google Cast. It’s a simple and clean system. The two new features main features this year are the inclusion of ATSC tuners and voice integration for Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Both of these are worthwhile inclusions as the tuners mean all you’ll need is HDTV antenna to get free over the air channels, and voice integration means the days of using a pesky remote to operate your TV are now over.
See our past Vizio TV reviews to get a more in-depth review of some of the past features that are still included in the TV.
Verdict:
Vizio’s commitment to making affordable yet amazing televisions is a trend that it continues to uphold. Each year their TVs get better than the last and the Vizio P65-F1 stands out as one of their best models yet. The 2018 Vizio P-Series is a great TV for a wide range of different usages. It has very good picture quality, especially when viewed in a dark room due to the high native contrast ratio and great local dimming. It also has low input lag for gaming and a great wide color gamut for HDR. Based on our experience this TV is currently one of the best screens for its price, and will undoubtedly blow everyone away. The inclusion of the ATSC tuners and voice compatibility both come off as being necessary and useful inclusions as well. The P-Series looks like it will be a great choice if you’re after a TV that performs at an above-average level with great pricing. So if you’re looking to upgrade or update your TV experience this year, the 2018 Vizio P-Series should be a consideration.
Final Score: 9/10
Pricing:
The 2018 Vizio P-Series is available in three screen sizes: 55″, 65″, and 75″. Here’s how the other sizes compare in price:
The 55-inch Vizio P65-F1 starts at $799.99, 65-inch is $1,199.99 and the 75-inch retails for $2,099.99.
