Movin' On Up

WHAT WOULD you pay for a 75-inch Ultra HDTV that’s bright enough to handle virtually all high dynamic range programs without having to perform the tone mapping most 4K/HDR sets require?

- Thomas J. Norton

How about $4,000? If it was 2018, that would be a serious answer, but it’s 2020 and we now have Vizio’s 75-inch P-Series Quantum X, a model that claims to deliver uncompromised HDR performance for just $2,200. Does Vizio’s flagship live up to the company’s ambitious specs? Let’s take a look.

FEATURES

Quantum dots are a main feature in all current M-Series Quantum and higher Vizio sets, so it’s no surprise that they’re present in the flagship P-Series Quantum X. These are nanometer-sized semiconductor particles that, when energized by a blue LED, emit either red or green light depending on their size. The result is a wider color range than what’s offered by LCD sets that have LED-only backlighting.

Vizio’s P-Series Quantum X range offers just two sizes: 65 inches ($1,500) and 75 inches ($2,200). The 75-incher reviewed here is rather heavy at 79 pounds and is supported by legs spaced 57 inches apart. Consequently, a strong, wide table is needed for proper support, with a few inches extra on either side for safety.

Another important feature of the PX75-G1 is its 480-zone full-array local dimming backlight. The set’s native scanning rate is 120Hz. Adding backlight scanning increases this to 240Hz, but the latter is unlikely offer any advantage with any current or anticipated source material. The PX75-G1 is compatible with Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10 and even HDR10+ high dynamic range, though HDR10+ programs are still thin on the ground.

Many of the more popular apps are available on the Vizio’s Smart- Cast 3.0 main screen, and Chromecast built-in and AirPlay 2 support lets you stream material from your phone or other compatible devices to the TV via your home Wi-Fi. The set can also respond to voice commands via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices.