Electronic Review of the Worst Laptop Vizio VP42 HDTV

Plasma televisions have a tendency to offer the best value among the larger flat-panel displays, and the Vizio VP42 is a bargain price for a 42-inch plasma TV that delivers a well-contrasted picture and pretty accurate color representation. Other than a couple of debates about its delivery of standard-definition video and about some advanced picture controls, the VP42 turned in a solid widescreen viewing experience without sacrificing important video-connection options or ease of use.

As the VP42 HDTV weighs nearly 90 pounds, Vizio appropriately recommends that at least two people unpack and place it onto its new perch. Including its factory-attached base stand, the VP42 measures 44.3 by 29.8 by 11.4 inches. The setup is very simple considering the task, and really it couldn't have been easier. A plastic pouch is taped to the display's protective shipping wrapper and contained a handy fold-out poster that listed the included accessories such as the power cord, remote, and A/V cable.

The packet also details the color-coded connection options on the rear of the TV. The back of the poster outlines the initial setup process. Vizio also includes information about professional installation-service options for owners who wish to let someone else risk breaking the machine in the process of setting it up.

The Vizio VP42 has a sleek modern appearance. A glossy black bezel and fixed bottom-mounted stereo speakers (2 x 10 watts) are concealed behind a silver colored mesh grille. The VP42's speakers were capable of producing high decibel sound that didn't exhibit any signs of clipping at high levels, An acrylic accent centered on the grille is engraved to let people know the VP42 is a plasma HDTV, not an LCD, and on-display controls were within easy reach along the lower right edge of the TV.