VBR110

Product Review (submitted on February 14, 2010):

I was torn between a Sharp whose stock number I forget and this machine. Both were being offered under $100 at the end of January. H.H.Gregg offered the Sharp. My BJ's club had the Vizio in stock.
To tell the truth, I was torn between both machines. I liked the idea that I might be able to watch Netfllix movies and YouTube videos on the Sharp, versus a paucity of said activity on the Vizio. What turned the tide were the reviews against the Sharp.
Many new owners were having problems with load-up time for the Blu-Ray discs; not so. I inserted the disc and within a minute the menu was up on the screen and the disc ready to play. Others complained that the Sharp had difficulty recognizing a regular DVD; once again, not so. I loaded one of my favorite comedies of all time, "Harlem Nights". What the Vizio did for the older DVD disc was nothing short of incredible. The colors were pure and the rendition on the screen was crisp and clear. In addition, what the Vizio did for the rendition of the soundtrack was amazing. I run the machine through a Yamaha 5.1 receiver; nothing fancy. The speakers are Sony columns and the surround is supplied by a three speaker set which came from The Speaker Company. It really is good enough for me; and with the Vizio orchestrating the Dolby, it is better than more than enough! I inserted a Blu-Ray copy of the Phantom of the Opera. What magnificent crispness of detail; and the sound ..... it makes my skin prickle just to think about the booming bass and the clear highs. Fantastic!
You won't hear or even notice the Vizio working. It is completely silent. The front is devoid of all bright lights; none are needed.
As with the other reviews, I also have qualms about the remote. They could have done a lot better. My feeling is that they made the angle of reception at the machine just a little to acute. One MUST truly aim the remote at the player to get it to work. A few inches left or right of the target and nothing happens. That is what some reviewers are seeing as 'difficulty in mashing the buttons'.
If you want a machine that plays discs faithfully, quietly, and gives a beautiful rendition of cinematic sound in the living room then this Vizio unit is definitely for you. I have it mated to my Samsung 42" Plasma. The precision of the player is striking; especially at the price. This is a no lose situation.