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VIZIO M602I-B3 Review
60" Full-Array LED Smart TV, $1249
RedLine

Highly Recommended

Richard De Jong
July 10, 2014
HDTV Solutions

VIZIO M602I-B3

At the CES show last January, VIZIO pleasantly surprised many of the TV journalists when they announced that almost all of their 2014 lineup of LCD HDTVs would employ full array backlighting with local dimming.

Without straying too far into geek-speak, this system of lighting an LCD TV is considered superior to edge lighting (which is the more common method) because it produces better picture quality (more light uniformity and more accurate dimming).

Indeed, VIZIO has distributed 32 Active LED Zones behind their M602i-B3's 60-inch display, which allows for true 2D local dimming (vertical and horizontal), providing deeper, spot-on blacks, the foundation of an excellent picture.

Vizio M602I-B3 LED-Zones

Active LED Zones

Of course, all this whiz-bang technology cannot guarantee a good TV, but with their M602i-B3, VIZIO delivers a high performance product at an attractive price.

To reach that $1200-ish price point for a 60-inch Smart TV, VIZIO does not include certain features on the M602i-B3. None of the 2014 M-Series are 3D TVs and they do not provide either voice or motion controls. And as far as I'm concerned, the TVs are better off without those features.

In fact, after considering the combination of features, price, screen size and remarkable picture quality, the VIZIO M602i-B3 earns our Highly Recommended recognition.

(Editor's Note: VIZIO plans on releasing eight sizes of their 2014 full-array backlit M-Series, starting with the 32-inch M322I-B1 [$329] all the way up to their 70-inch M702i-B3 [not yet available]. In between are the 42, 49, 50, 55, 60, 65-inch models, M422I-B1, M492i-B2, M502i-B1, M552i-B2, M602i-B3, and M652i-B2.

(The colossal 80-inch M801i-A3 was released in early 2014 but it is edge-lit. And the two smallest models have fewer Active LED Zones, the M322I-B1 [5] and the M422I-B1 [14]. Since all of the other sizes have at least 32 zones and similar specifications to the M602i-B3, this review can apply to all of them.)

Our Star Ratings
Performance: 4.54.5 Star Rating
Once I adjusted the VIZIO M602I-B3's to my tastes, the video performance was impressive. The full-array backlighting with local dimming produces an excellent picture. I was pleased with the quality of the 10W integrated speakers, but you will be happier by pairing this 60-inch display with a more robust sound system.
Features:4.5 4.5 Star Rating
With built-in Wi-Fi and over 100 content providers, this VIZIO Smart TV furnishes the essentials. It does not include voice recognition nor motion control, but the QWERTY keyboard on the two-sided remote makes search entries easier. The M602I-B3 is not 3D capable.
Ease of Use: 5.0 5.0 Star Rating
Set up is a snap. The two Calibrated Picture Modes make picture adjustment easy. And the double-sided remote is handy.
Value: 4.5 4.5 Star Rating
I considered giving this M-Series TV a 5 Star rating, but VIZIO is currently selling their 2014 60-inch E Series E600I-B3 (with full-array backlighting and 16 zones) for $849. If it performs even close to this M Series M602I-B3, then it would rate 5 Stars. With that said, this M Series 60-inch beauty is definitely a good value.
Star Ratings Description
Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We give very few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

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Reader Comments

Posted Feb 11, 2015 6:32:04 PM

By Larry R.

I own the M-422i and am quite pleased with the picture. I actually returned a Samsung HU6950 I was comparing it to because the 40HU6950 did not have the refresh rate of Vizio (only 60 Hz) which I believe cramped it's ability on motion blur control. I was only interested in a 40"-42" screen for a particular room. Even though the Samsung was a UHDTV I could not get acceptable motion blur reduction. The Vizio beat it hands down but it's not perfect. I have a Samsung DLP which I love but am thinking of stepping into todays TV's and getting around a 55"-60" flat screen. I'm very fussy about picture clarity and especially eliminating motion blur. I know true high refresh rate (120Hz-240Hz) has a lot to do with it but that is a game the TV manufacturers are playing and is hard to get honest answers from their tech support people. Which set out there can do it the best? Is plasma the best way to go or flat screen?

Posted Jan 20, 2015 1:42:56 PM

By Richard De Jong

John,

You can read a longer detailed answer here: http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/HDTV_Viewing_Distance.htm

For the short answer, if you want an immersive viewing experience, then pull your chair up to about 6 feet away from the TV. If that seems too close, then move back a little. But anything farther than about 10 feet and your eyes won't be able to see a difference in detail compared to a lower resolution TV.

Posted Jan 8, 2015 4:13:59 PM

By John C

on Model 50" M502l-B1 what is the minimum and maximum to sit for this size TV?

Thanks

Posted Sep 18, 2014 3:20:20 PM

By bob slachta

i have a 50 inch rear projection tv looking for a 55 or 60 inch hd tv i think i found it. i like the m series but looking into to e series its a tough decision but it will be vizio.

Posted Aug 7, 2014 2:40:56 AM

By John Pacilio

Very much not a Geek. but I do like tis TV, and the price' I would appreciate some suggestions for speakers for the M6021-B3, Not To Crazy Just a better quality sound. Thank You John
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