Vizio M160MV 16in LCD HDTV
At 16 inches, the Vizio M160MV LCD HDTV is right in that sweet spot for everyday kitchen use. Its screen is not too big or too small plus you get a generous compliment of connections and an eye-catching super slim profile. If you've been holding off buying a kitchen TV, the M160MV might get you off the fence.
Out of the box, set up is a snap. Just attach the base with the included wing screw, connect the power adapter and then hook-up your coax cable. If your signal source is OTA or your cable company offers analog and/or clear QAM you can perform an auto-scan of available channels. Other connectivity options include HDMI, component and composite A/V. The M160MV can also double as a computer monitor with its built-in VGA connector and PC audio-in socket. Native screen resolution is 1368x768.
To get the best picture quality be prepared to adjust the sliders in the picture settings menu. The factory settings are not very useful and you can make a big improvement with a little bit of experimentation and some patience. One word of caution: the viewing angle is limited. Vizio lists it at 80° horizontal and 45° vertical which is not much by today's standards. This could prove especially annoying if you have a large kitchen with a wide range of viewing positions.
Sound quality is a bit tinny but this is fairly common for a TV this size. The speakers face rearwards, so it helps if the TV is in front of a wall or other flat surface as this will help reflect the sound back into the room. If the sound quality really bothers you there is a rear headphone jack you can use to hook up a pair of external speakers for improved fidelity or to just listen in private.
Both the M160MV and its big brother the 19 inch M190VA offer Vizio's built-in 'Tru-Sound' system. Basically it smooths out rapid changes in sound volume so as the commercials are at the same level as the program you're watching.
The included remote control is well laid out with the most common keys right where you need them. This is just as well as it has very low sensitivity. Basically you have to aim it directly at the IR sensor and push each button firmly for anything to register. At first you might think it's not working, but it's just one of those quirky engineering issues that requires a bit of getting used to.
The M160MV comes with a basic stand, but you can also wall mount it using any VESA 75x75 compatible mount.
Specifications
- 16 inch LCD HDTV 720P
- NTSC/ATSC Tuners with QAM
- Viewing Angle: 80°/45°
- Connections: Coax, HDMI, Component, Composite, VGA, Headphone Jack, PC Audio
- Sleep Timer
- USB Port
- Parental Control (V-Chip)
- Full Remote
- Universal AC 100-240 Volts 50-60 Hz 12volt adapter
If you've been searching for a kitchen TV in the mid-size range you probably already know they are few and far between. When something does come along it is sure to attract some attention. And the Vizio M160MV is a HDTV that can offer any home cook a cost effective and stylish option for family meal time entertainment.
Useful Links
Vizio M160MV Product Page
Vizio M160MV Owner's Manual
Tags: 16in screen, counter top, kitchen tv, usb, wall mount,