Discounted Vizio Mini LED TV at Walmart Lets Buyers Skip Smart Features
US retailer Walmart is discounting Vizio's Mini LED Quantum TVs: the 65-inch model costs $358 and the 85-inch costs $698. The built-in smart TV system can be disabled during setup.
US retail chain Walmart currently has a discount on Vizio Mini LED Quantum televisions. The 65-inch model from TV maker Vizio is priced at $358, which is $40 off, while the 85-inch version sells for $698, or $100 off. The offer was reported by the technology site The Verge.
Smart features can be turned off
Modern smart TVs let people skip a separate streaming device, but they also bring drawbacks, including privacy concerns and frequent updates. The Vizio set ships with Vizio OS, yet buyers can decline its agreements during setup. By pushing past the manufacturer's warnings that they will be "missing out" on smart TV features, users can disable the built-in operating system. They can then connect their own streaming device, such as a Roku or an Apple TV 4K, without worrying about what data Vizio and Walmart might collect.
Specs and compromises
The TV uses quantum dots for fuller, more vivid color and a mini-LED panel for high brightness. In The Verge's testing it reached 936 nits when calibrated.
The low price brings some compromises. The IPS panel has weaker black levels than pricier sets, and there is a touch of motion blur in fast scenes, which may also reduce its appeal for gamers. The TV has three HDMI ports, but they are only version 2.0. Since the screen supports up to 4K at 60Hz, this does not noticeably hurt the experience.
