Last September at the CEDIA conference, when I first saw this VM230XVT Razor LCD lined up with its bigger, brasher, Internet apped VIZIO brethren, I was intrigued by the idea that this 1080p, LED backlit HDTV could perform double duty as a 23" digital photo frame.

Though smaller than most of the HDTVs that I cover, I decided to request a review unit and take it for a spin. I found that the VM230XVT is a quite capable multitasker, a full fledged TV that can easily sit on your desktop and serve as your computer monitor.

Plug in a USB drive full of JPEGs and the display morphs into an oversized digital photo frame with rich colorful picture quality. And considering that the unit consumes about 27W, you could run slide shows eight hours a day for about $1 of electricity a month.

Even though this Razor LCD employs the new LED backlight technology, this 60Hz edge lit model lacks some of the state of the art features like Smart Dimming and higher frame rates that VIZIO has implemented on its over 40" XVT cousins. Also, the display does have some viewing angle limitations.

In addition, the VM230XVT does not sport all the widgets and Internet apps that you will find on larger TVs. But if you want to be connected to the Internet, then hook this Razor up as your computer monitor.

(Editor's Note: VIZIO also makes a 19" version of the Razor LED series, the VM190XVT. The major difference between the two units is that the 19" TV has a native resolution of 720p. Other than that, the specifications and designs are similar and this review can apply to both.)

Our Star Ratings

Performance: 4.5

The VIZIO VM230XVT just can't match the performance of the current crop of state of the art TVs. With that said, its picture quality is quite respectable, especially for a 23" TV. Though the audio quality from the integrated 5W speakers is nothing to write home about.

Features: 4.0

I give high marks for the fab design with the proximity controls. Realizing that this is a small TV, it might be overreaching to expect more than two HDMI inputs. And since VIZIO suggests that the VM230XVT could be used as a digital photo frame, a more fully featured slideshow interface would be appreciated.

Ease of Use: 4.5

You can make your life easier if you forego trying to set this TV up and just pick the Movie Picture Mode. The touch control buttons on the front are great especially if you are using this unit as a computer monitor.

Value: 4.5

On their website, VIZIO lists the VM230XVT for $399. Unlike some of their larger XVT models that are only available with certain distributors, this 23" 1080p unit can be purchased from a wide range of outlets and I am finding it online for around 20% less. At that price range, this multitasking HDTV is 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 have given only a precious few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

On first blush, with its glossy black 1 1/4" bezel, the design of the VM230XVT looks standard issue. To appreciate some of its cooler features, you need to get up close and personal. If you touch the surface, you realize that the glass spans edge to edge. The black frame with curved corners is underneath and is accented with a slight clear border.

The real treat are the "proximity touch TV controls" on the bottom left of the face. Simply sweep your hand, like a magic wand, close to the area and presto, the controls light up and a context sensitive menu appears onscreen. Its an elegant solution to the usual, awkward pimply operational buttons.

When the TV is turned off, the black screen is more reflective then some others that I have reviewed. When the display is on, I noticed a bit of a glare in the dark shadows of the picture, but they were fleeting and never a distraction.

At its thinnest, this Razor LED is less than a half inch. In the middle of the back, it pops out about an inch more, making room for the connection panel. Also, I see what looks like a speaker grille on the rear of the TV, therefore I assume that is where the pair of 5W speakers are located.

Don't expect to hang this TV flush to the wall because all of the connections are facing out. Even with the skinniest of HDMI cables, you will still need almost two inches of clearance.

If you mount the screen on the curved plastic stand, you can rotate it back or forwards but not side to side. I'll discuss viewing angles later, but the ability to rotate the TV to match your viewing angle is critical.

The weight including the stand is a mere eleven pounds. Without the pedestal, the TV tips the scales at under ten pounds.

VIZIO sells a little tiltable wall mount, the $50 VMT13-30. But with these TVs becoming lighter than a comparably sized framed piece of art, I imagine that someone is coming up with a TV mount that you can simply attach to a hook on the wall.

The connection panel on the back contains two HDMI inputs (with one matching stereo Audio In), one Component video (YPbPr) In (with matching stereo Audio In), one Composite video In (with matching stereo Audio In), one S-Video In, one VGA PC input (with matching stereo minijack Audio In), and one USB port (for accessing JPEG photos).

Also on the panel are an analog headphone Audio Out (stereo minijack), an SPDIF (optical) digital Audio Out, and a Kensington Security Slot for a Kensington lock to secure the TV for theft prevention.

The one RF antenna connector links to integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners. Since the tuner system is Clear QAM compatible, you can attach your cable TV signal directly into the RF connector and tune in unscrambled cable stations.

For those concerned about the DTV transition, the ATSC tuner is the key. With the proper antenna, you will be able to tune in digital signals broadcast over-the-air.

This TV does not have a LAN port for connecting to the Internet and your home network. And for a screen this size, there is no Picture-in-Picture feature.

I wish that the slideshow interface were more robust. For example, there are only two speeds, fast (about five seconds) and slow (about ten) and only one transition, which is thankfully a cross fade. I would prefer a few more options. I do applaud that you can change the picture settings for the slideshow, which I consider essential.

With that said, the TV gives the photos plenty of punch with saturated colors and sharp detail. And the screen measures about the size of a 11 x 20 photo, which is a good display size for photographs.

The remote control is a compact 6.5" long by less than 2" wide. The buttons are bunched, but unless you are punching in channel numbers, I didn't find the close quarters a problem.

There is no dedicated and labeled Menu button. To access the Menu on the remote, you press OK at the intersection of the cross rocker button.

The EPA is now publishing a list of ENERGY STAR qualified TVs. (You can find it here.) The VIZIO VM230XVT is on the list.

The EPA states that this VIZIO's On Mode Power is 26.9W and Standby Power Consumption is .63W. Based on the formula that the TV is on five hours a day and in Standby for the other 19, the Estimated Annual Energy Use is 53 kWh/year.

You need to check your electric bill to see how much you are paying for a kWh. The rate that I have been using in previous reviews is 10.4 cents. Doing the multiplication, at that rate, the yearly energy cost is $5.51.

Since manufacturers are not attaching those yellow ENERGY STAR tags that you find on air conditioners and refrigerators, you will have to study the ENERGY STAR list to see how the VM230XVT compares to other 23" TVs.

A quick perusal of the list indicates that similar sized LCDs, with traditional CCFL backlighting, run in the over 40W range in On Mode, which is about 50% more consumption.

Though it's curious that these smaller sized TVs often use more energy in Standby Mode than newer larger, over 40", TVs with Standby Mode ratings hovering around .2W.

To calibrate the TV, we use two discs, the Blu-ray version of the Digital Video Essentials DVD called HD Basics and the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray DVD. We are playing the DVDs on the OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player connected to the HDTV with an HDMI cable.

We use the test patterns to adjust black level, white level, and color bias. The player is set to output a 1080p signal, which is the native resolution of the VM230XVT.

For this TV, I'm dispensing with my usual spiel about calibration because I was never comfortable enough with the consistency of my results. I thought I achieved settings that matched the test patterns and then when I rechecked them, the picture seemed to have drifted.

After a couple of times around the block, I decided to stop chasing my tail and picked the Movie default.

The VM230XVT provides five Picture Modes, Standard, Movie, Game, Vivid, or Custom. Personally, I avoid Vivid like the swine flu. Movie on other TVs is usually a bit too warm, but on this VIZIO, it was my favorite. You should sample each mode and see what suits your eye.

If you do want to fiddle about, Custom is the only mode that you can adjust. Good luck. If you find settings that you like, then please share them.

Here is one hint. The picture can vary quite dramatically depending on your viewing angle. When you are setting up this TV, be aware of where you are sitting and try to maintain a consistent line of sight to the screen.

Usually we think of viewing angle when looking at the screen off to the left or right. Indeed, as you move farther off to the side, the picture quality lessens, but it's within an acceptable range.

The major change is when looking from either above or below the screen. As you move above, the image progressively washes out. Interestingly, if you look from below the screen, the picture becomes darker until it totally solarizes.

When you are watching larger TVs, you normally are sitting farther away and minor shifts in any direction do not translate into a major change in viewing angles. But with a 23" TV, often you will be sitting closer and then any minor movement on your part can result in a very different looking picture.

Before I leave this section, this TV includes an Ambient Light Sensor feature. If you enable it, the TV automatically adjust to light changes in the room.

I usually don't like to give up control of picture settings, but in this case, when I'm opting for a default Picture Mode, I figure what the hay. If it can alleviate eyestrain from a bright monitor as the sun sets in the dorm room, then shiver me timbers.

When you are sitting in the sweet spot viewing angle, the picture quality is very good. The colors are deep and rich while maintaining realistic skin tones, which can be a tricky balancing act.

The audio performance from the tiny integrated 5W speakers is about what I would expect, which isn't much. They will suffice for listening to streaming video from the Internet or day time talk shows. Even most prime time programs will sound O.K.

But load up a Blu-ray like the K.D. Lang Live in London concert. and the tinny speakers simply cannot do justice, even with SRS True Surround HD turned on. And I never reckoned that they could. You really need a separate speaker system.

I guess that sums up my thoughts about the VM230XVT. If you are realistic with your expectations of what this 23" TV can produce, then you should be pleased with its performance.

The VIZIO VM230XVT's edge lit LED LCD display produces a rich 1080p image. The thin, stylish, power sipping 23" Razor HDTV can also serve as a computer monitor or a big digital photo frame.