The design of the Vizio E is quite nice. It’s not the thinnest TV in the world, but its bezel is quite slim, and the feet for the stand are pretty good-looking.

The feet are not adjustable, and they are set far apart. For larger TVs, this will necessitate a big surface on which to set the TV. It’s a stabler solution than the old Vizio E mount, but could be inconvenient.

You get a bit more leeway with the Vizio E than with the more expensive Vizio P (the P loses picture quality at 19 degrees), but the viewing angle on this TV is still not ideal for off-axis viewing.

Update:From further testing we have concluded that all current Vizio TVs that we have reviewed do not display 4:4:4, but 4:2:2. This is due to the TV inputs accepting 4:4:4 but actually displaying 4:2:2. 4:2:2 is better than 4:2:0, but slightly blurrier for text than 4:4:4.

You don’t get the QWERTY remote on the back of this like you do with the Vizio M and P-series, but the slimness and feel of this remote almost makes up for that. The glossy finish might be a nuisance for some – our remote picked up smudges and fingerprints very quickly.

Vizio"s E series is a tremendous value, and its picture quality, style and features are robust enough to please just about everybody. This TV doesn"t have 4K resolution and the future-proofy feeling that goes along with it, but its price is so low, you"ll probably be able to afford a larger size with the savings over a 4K model. The 50-inch M series, for example, currently costs as much as a 60-inch E series ($800), while the difference between a 4K M and a 1080p E at 65- and 70-inches is $700. In our book, assuming good picture quality, screen size is the best use of your TV dollar.

According to Vizio our observations about the 40-inch size should also apply to the 43-inch and 48-inch models; our observations about the 55-inch size should also apply to the 50-inch, the 60-inch and 65-inch E65x-C3 (a Walmart exclusive); and our observations about the 65-inch E65-C3 (the mainstream version) should also apply to the 70-inch model. The smaller 24-, 28-, and 32-inch sets lack local dimming, so they"re not included in this review.

Minimalist to the extreme, the all-black E series is characterized by a pleasingly thin frame around the picture, a matte-black accent strip along the bottom and the trademark right-justified Vizio logo, flush against the bottom rather than dangling like a misplaced browser tab as it did last year. Seen from the side these sets are thicker than many LCD TVs, but still slim enough to wall-mount and still look good.

New for this year Vizio has implemented a two-footed stand design, with feet splayed out under either side, as opposed to a pedestal-style support in the middle. It certainly feels sturdier than last year"s, where we complained about wobble, and Vizio even

I like Vizio"s menu system. It"s clean and easy to navigate, and I appreciate the helpful on-screen touches, including descriptions of various menu items and access to the full user manual.

Vizio is still the only TV maker to divulge the number of dimming zones on its so-equipped TVs. It varies according to size between 5 and 16 zones. The M series has 32 dimmable zones, and the P series 64. More zones generally equates to more precise control of dimming, and again, superior picture quality.

ModelSizeActive dimming zonesPanel typePanel refresh rateEffective refresh rateClear action rateSmoothing optionHDMI inputs E40-C2* 40-inch5VA60Hz120240No2

According to Vizio, the E65X-C2 is exclusive to Walmart. The E65-C3 is sold everywhere else aside from Walmart. The E40x-C2, meanwhile, is exclusive to Target, while the E40-C2 is sold everywhere else. I wasn"t given a reason for the existence of two different 55-inch sizes. The only differences between the two 40-inch models and the two 55-inch models is slightly different bezel widths; they otherwise have the same features and picture quality, according to Vizio. The company"s rep also said that the number after the C doesn"t signify anything important.

VA or IPS:As you may have noticed in the chart above, Vizio is also mixing in two different types of LCD panels. Most of the E series, including all three we tested for this review, use VA (Vertical Alignment) panels, which in our experience deliver superior black level performance and overall picture quality compared to IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels.

In the 43-inch and 55-inch sizes, the TVs will start shipping with VA panels and then move to IPS panel technology later in the year. The reason for this unusual step, according to Vizio? "Since our volume in E-Series is so large, panel suppliers cannot keep up with the demand for certain sizes."

Vizio"s rep added that it"s difficult to say exactly when the IPS panels will cut in, but you can tell from the serial numbers. "If the 4th digit of the serial number is a J or 7, that unit uses an IPS panel. For example, LWZJSEARxxxxxxx or LTM7SHARxxxxxxx. All other serial numbers for 2015 E-Series will be units using VA panels."

In short, IPS panels will only be used in the 43- and 55-inch sizes, and the only way to tell one from another is via the serial number. Given past experience, I recommend avoiding buying a Vizio E series equipped with an IPS panel. See the

Smart TV:Pretty much identical to last year, the 2015 Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) Plus smart TV suite doesn"t try to do too much--no fancy external device like a Roku anyway.

If you decide to use Vizio for your apps instead of a streaming box or stick, you"ll be greeted by a simple line of seven icons along the bottom when you hit the remote"s central "V" key. Scrolling to the right brings up more, or you can hit "V" again for a full-screen interface. There you"ll find all of the available apps neatly categorized, along with the ability to add, remove and reorder apps within the band.

Vizio"s content selection is very good. HBO Go isn"t available, and there are no major sports apps like MLB TV, NHL GameCenter, or NBA League Pass, but most of the other heavy-hitters for video are here, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu and Plex. Audio support is also solid, with iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Pandora and Spotify.

It"s worth noting here that Vizio still uses the same involuntary software update system, and it"s a drag. You can"t simply check for updates manually -- you have to wait for them to be rolled out, and there"s no way to opt out of receiving them (aside from disconnecting the TV from the network). I prefer the system used by most other TV makers, where you can manually check and opt out of automatic updates if you want.

Black level:All three of the 2015 E series sets delivered very impressive contrast performance, anchored by deep black levels. Each bested the three non-Vizio sets in the lineup, none of which have true local dimming, at achieving an inky black in the darkest parts of the shadowfest "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For."

All of the comparison TVs looked good enough in these scenes, although the TCL and the Sharp lagged behind the others. That said the Samsung showed no major advantage over the Vizios, and the E series more than kept up with the M and the P in this arena.

Uniformity:As I"d expect from a direct-lit LCD, the E series was very good in this category, with no major blotchiness or uneven lighting on the screens of any of the three review samples I tested. The Sharp and the Samsung, if you"re keeping track, were a good deal worse, but the others were similarly uniform.

With test patterns including bright and mid-bright (gray) full fields, some backlight structure and vignetting (where the edges of the screen are darker than the middle) was visible, but again it was minor for LCD TVs and didn"t show up in program material. The vignetting was more visible on th 55- and 65-inch sets, while the 40-incher did show a very slightly brighter bottom area.

From off-angle they were typical of VA panels, evincing some color shift and worse black level fidelity as I moved to either side. None of the other sets had a big advantage or disadvantage in this category. Bright lighting: The matte screens of the E series are ideal for brightly lit rooms, minimizing reflections and doing a very good job preserving black levels. None of the sets in my lineup this time use a glossy screen, and they"re all more or less great in this category.

Vizio is offering a warranty part replacement on all the units with the bad chip assembly. Vizio will replace a recalled TV that has already lost its picture with a new unit (not a refurbished one as they customarily do) according to its customer service representative. Vizio HDTVs are sold by Amazon, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, BJs and Sam’s Club. All the recall details appear after the break.

Our research indicates the Vizios with the bad chip assembly were made and offered for sale in the 4th quarter of 2012. We checked our local Costco and verified all the E601i-A3 and E701i-A3 now being sold are new production, past the serial numbers of the recalled models.

HD Guru recommends to all readers with one of these HDTVs that fall under the serial numbers below to call the Vizio customer service phone number now. Don’t wait to see if the screen goes black as there is no way to tell if the affected chip assembly will become back ordered in the future.

Vizio is also extending the warranty on affected TVs (within the listed serial numbers) from one to two years for this issue. Below is a verbatim copy of its “Special Bulletin”. It is on their website here.

“A limited number of VIZIO’s E-Series 60” and 70” LED Smart TVs (model numbers E601i-A3 and E701i-A3) may experience a loss of video due to premature failure of a chip assembly sourced from a supplier.  VIZIO is working with its suppliers, retailers and consumers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible for affected users.  As part of its continued dedication to customer satisfaction, VIZIO is proactively communicating with its customers through direct contact with registered owners, through VIZIO’s retailers and through online and social media about the potential issue, what to look for, and how to reach VIZIO’s dedicated support team to receive help.

In a small percentage of units with serial numbers in the ranges of LFTRNWAN3800001 to LFTRNWAN4805300for Model E601i-A3 and LFTRNXAN4500001 – LFTRNXAN4702936 for Model E701i-A3, users may experience a loss of video on the display although audio can still be heard.  This issue is attributed to a limited batch of chip assemblies from a supplier, in which there is a small percentage chance that the chip assembly prematurely fails; this causes the timing control board to be disabled, which disrupts the video signal to the display.  This potential issue appears to occur typically around the first 500 hours of usage or first few months of normal usage and does not present a safety concern.

VIZIO has promptly notified its customers of the possible issue so that affected users can have their units repaired or replaced free of charge.  In addition, VIZIO is also extending its standard one-year limited warranty to two years from the date of purchase for this specific issue to ensure that customers who purchased the E601i-A3 or E701i-A3 can continue to enjoy their TV with full peace of mind.

If you have a VIZIO E-Series 60” or 70” TV with a serial number that falls within the ranges of LFTRNWAN3800001 to LFTRNWAN4805300 for Model E601i-A3 andLFTRNXAN4500001 – LFTRNXAN4702936 for Model E701i-A3 and experience a loss of video, please call VIZIO’s Customer Care team toll free at [email protected] to directly reach our dedicated service team who will assist in resolving your issue as quickly as possible.

Since its founding more than a decade ago, VIZIO has taken pride in its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.  Standing behind that commitment, VIZIO is taking prudent measures to reach customers to inform them of this situation and provide expedited support for affected users.  With its all-U.S. based award-winning support team, VIZIO remains committed to taking care of its customers.”

PART NUMBER:E60-C3-kitABOARD NUMBERS:Y8386592S Main Board, 09-60CAP080-01 Power Supply, RUNTK5489TP T-ConMODEL NUMBERS:E60-C3PART TYPE:Parts KitTV TYPE AND SIZE:LED, 60"MFR PART NUMBER:Vizio E60-C3-KitA