The Vizio VO320E (approx $430) is an entry-level TV. Its 720P display is not going to match up to 1080P models, nor does it have the bells and whistles of more expensive models. It's also not terribly attractive, but neither is it eye-catchingly ugly. The "E" in the VO320E refers to Vizio's energy efficient line of TVs. Our testing proved that claim to be true, but there's little else to recommend this model.

The connectivity is, as expected, also quite basic. There are plenty of ways to plug in your home theater, including 2 HDMI ports, 2 component video, 2 composite video, S-Video, RGB, 4 analog audio inputs, cable/antenna, and a digital audio connection. However, 2 HDMI ports is below the norm, and there's no USB port or card slot for playing back photos and music. There's definitely no option for streaming internet content on a TV this cheap, either.

Interfacing with the remote control and menu system on the Vizio VO320E is relatively painless. The remote control looks exceptionally cheap compared to what you get with most HDTVs, but it certainly won't confuse anyone. There are only a few buttons, and each is clearly labeled. The menus are equally sparse and straightforward.

Performance (Read the full lab performance results at Televisioninfo.com)

In our lab testing, the Vizio VO320E performed modestly, at best. The television was not capable of producing an adequately deep blacks, which means that you can expect to lose detail in shadows. While the whites were bright enough, the poor black performance also meant that the overall contrast ratio was lacking. Sure, Vizio claims a ratio of 15,000:1, but our testing (whose methodologies differ from theirs and better reflect real life) found the actual ratio at only 901:1. The color performance was more favorable.

Motion blur and motion artifacting were also issues that the Vizio VO320E suffers from. We witnessed a fair amount of false coloring and strange abnormalities. Overall, they may not ruin the picture for you, but people with an eye for detail and quality may want to pass on this TV. 

Comparisons (Read more in-depth comparisons at Televisioninfo.com)

The Vizio VO320E has a lot of competition in its price category. We looked at three models in detail. The LG 32LH20 is a similarly priced and it also a 720 format, but performed better in nearly every test. The Samsung LN32B360 is among the better TVs we've reviewed in the 32-inch size, and while we don't love the Samsung's limited port selection, it is a better performer. The Panasonic TC-P42X1 is a 42-inch plasma TV. Entry-level plasmas, on the whole, do not tend towards excellence, and the Panasonic helped illustrate that point. Neither it nor theVizio VO320E are fantastic performers, but the Panasonic showed a lead in most tests except for brightness.

At a reasonable price, the Vizio VO320E might make a decent choice for the spare bedroom or kid's room, but it's probably not the model you want showcased in your home entertainment center.