Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV review: Fast performance at a budget-friendly price
Nathaniel PangaroVizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV
3.0 / 5The Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV offers smooth performance and a good display at a budget-friendly price. However, don't expect a 4K experience with a price point that is less than $200.
Smart TVs are a great way to cut the cord and not be strapped to a cable plan. They allow you to stream content from multiple apps without the need to plug in an external media source.
The future of television is apps, and companies nowadays are setting the stage — with dedicated operating systems — to support all popular streaming services.
The Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV doesn't come with a 4K display that you see in smart televisions today. Still, its reasonable price makes it great for small areas like apartments or college dormitories.
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV — Built the same
The Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV offers thin bezels that wrap around the screen and blend into it when it is turned off. While the D-Series comes in multiple sizes, we tested the 40" version for our review.
The D-Series weighs slightly over 12 lbs, so you can set it up with its included stand, or mount it with a third-party mount.
The D-Series complies with VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) standards, so if you mount it, it has a 7.87 x 3.94 inch pattern with a .39 inch hole depth for the screws.
If you do not use the stand, the television will be 35.55 x 20.45 x 2.54 inches. However, if you do use it, then it will increase to 35.55 x 22.81 x 8.81 inches.
The D-Series is equipped with a 16:9 full 1080p HD resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Behind the screen is a full array LED backlight.
Inside is an IQ processor and a V-Gaming engine. With these internals, the D-Series offers less than 10ms input lag and a 60fps refresh rate.
Underneath the television is the power button that blends into the exterior. It can be hard to find at first, but gliding your finger under the display will help you locate it.
On the right side of the D-Series are two 1.4 HDMI ports, one 2.0 USB-A port, and one ethernet port.
The D-Series is equipped with two nine-watt speakers. During our time using them, the speakers were able to produce loud output and dismiss the need for an external sound bar.
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV — A regular remote
The Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV remote is built like an ordinary television remote. However, the pointy edges and curved back do not make it the most comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
On the top are quick-action buttons to launch some of the most popular streaming apps. These apps range from Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, Pluto, iHeart Radio, and Tubi.
Underneath them is a Watch Free+ button. This brings you to Vizio's free streaming service, which offers free live television channels. The channels are basic and supply the bare minimum in entertainment, so do not expect popular channels like Disney or Bravo.
The Home button will bring you to the Home Screen where you can switch between different apps. All major streaming services are already pre-downloaded, so you just have to sign into them after the initial setup.
On the bottom is a number pad, which comes in handy when using Watch Free+ to find a specific channel. The PIC button in the lower left brings up the display's picture settings so you can easily change them.
If you lose the remote, the Vizio Mobile app has your back. It offers the same features the remote does, meaning that you can substitute it with the app altogether or until you find it.
The remote runs on two AAA batteries, which are included in the box.
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV — Quick processing
When using the Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV, response time was quick, and there was no lag when switching between menus.
Animations were smooth, and no stutter occurred when launching apps. For the budget price you pay, we thought the system would be laggy, but it was quite the opposite.
The television is equipped with WiFi 4, so the connection stayed secure. No apps were interrupted by a random disconnection from the internet, so streaming remained stable.
All apps were already preloaded onto the television when we first turned it on. This means that there is no app store to download additional applications.
One downside we experienced was that the D-Series would occasionally freeze when turning it on. It would only show a black screen, and we would have to unplug and replug the television to fix the issue.
Other than the rare freeze-up, the D-Series was reliable when responding to commands, and was quick to load apps when launching them.
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV — HomeKit compatible
With the Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV and HomeKit, you can control and stream media to the television straight from your Apple devices.
Before doing so, you must add the D-Series to your Home app to utilize HomeKit's functionalities.
To do so, go to the television's Home Screen, and on the top row will be the AirPlay symbol. Selecting it will take you to the HomeKit setup menu.
You can type in the HomeKit code, which will appear on the screen, or scan the QR code with your camera. Setup is quick, and you can customize the name and functions of the television from within the Home app.
Once you add the D-Series, it will show up as an AirPlay option. You can also add it to new or current Home automations.
Siri can control the television, but only to turn it on or off. Asking to switch apps or control the volume does not work.
You can find the serial number, model number, and firmware version of the D-Series at the bottom of the device's control panel in the Home app.
The Apple TV+ app is preinstalled on the television. This means you do not need to cast from your device whenever you want to enjoy any shows and movies from the service.
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV — Speed on a budget
The Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV is a great budget television that has impressive performance with only a few shortcomings.
While the picture is not 4K resolution, the display is still enjoyable to look at. One downside of it is that black colors were slightly muted and not as rich while watching multiple movies.
Other than the freezing that rarely occurred when turning the television on, the system was very responsive to commands and opened apps at a fast pace.
HomeKit integration conveniently allowed us to control the basic functions of the television when the remote wasn't in arm's reach. The only issue we ran into was not being able to turn on the television from our devices, which we should have been able to do.
While this is not the best smart television out there, it is a good option for a bedroom or college dorm. It does not give the best display quality, but for casual viewing and late-night movie binges, it does the job very well.
If you are looking for an amazing budget-friendly television that works with your Apple devices, then the Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV is a great choice to choose. However, if you want the best picture quality out there, we recommend looking elsewhere at a higher price point.
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV - Pros
- Good picture for the price you pay
- Loading apps quickly
- HomeKit integration
- Reasonable price
Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV - Cons
- Not 4K resolution
- Freezes sometimes when turning on
- No app store
Rating: 3 out of 5
Where to buy the Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV
You can purchase the Vizio D-Series Full HD Smart TV from Walmart for $168.
You can also purchase it from Best Buy for $169.99.
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
Charles Martin
Mike Wuerthele
Chip Loder
3 Comments
For a minute I thought this was a prank review. Residual from some Vizio warehouse? I’ll pass on saying anything else.
Surprised it’s not laggy. I bought a Visio for a spare space a few years ago and it was laggy as hell on Day 1. Immediately blocked it from the network and put a spare Apple TV on it.