4K TV Reviews

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 17,065:1

Pre- and post-calibration measurements were made with the Vizio M65-D0’s Calibrated Dark preset active, using SpectraCal’s CalMAN 2016 software, Murideo Sigma-six and AV Lab TPG UHD pattern generators, and a Photo Research PR-650 color meter. Maximum standard dynamic range (SDR) contrast measurements were made with the Calibrated Dark preset selected and Local Dimming turned on. With this setup, the M65-D0’s black level measured 0.002 foot-lamberts and peak white 34.13 ft-L, for a contrast ratio of 17,065:1. Highest SDR peak brightness was delivered by the default settings in the Vivid mode: 143.4 ft-L, or 491 nits.

With a high dynamic range (HDR10) test disc supplied by Samsung, light output in Calibrated Dark mode was 155 nits on a 10% window, 420 nits on the 25% window Vizio recommend we measure with, and 217.2 nits on a 100% window. In Vivid, it measured 423.3 nits at 10%, 622 nits at 25%, and 500.2 nits at 100%. With a 0-nit black pattern, light output was 0.002 nit.

Before calibration, the M65-D0’s Normal color temperature preset in Calibrated Dark mode delivered a too-warm grayscale, with the Delta E averaging out to 6.4. Calibration improved performance to 1.9, with a high of 2.9 at 90% brightness. (Delta E is a figure of merit that indicates how closely a display adheres to the Rec. 709 HD color standard. Experts generally agree that levels below 3 are visibly indistinguishable from perfect color tracking.)

The Delta E of the M65-D0’s Rec. 709 color points in the Calibrated Dark mode’s default settings averaged out to 3.3. Calibration using the set’s color management system adjustments reduced that number to 1.3.

Gamma in the Calibrated Dark mode averaged 2.0 and displayed a sharp boost in light output from 60 to 80 IRE. Post-calibration, gamma was considerably more linear, averaging 2.2, with a high of 2.0 at 90 IRE.

The Vizio performed well on our full suite of video processing tests, though its Reduce Signal Noise and Reduce Block Noise adjustments both softened picture to a noticeable degree.—AG