Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review

Our Verdict

The Vizio P-Serial Breakthrough (P65Q9-H1) delivers a crisp picture with groovy contrast at a good price — but its software holds information technology back.

For

Sharp and detailed film
Excellent dissimilarity
No blurring during action scenes

Against

Software is so-then
Lacks integrated vocalization banana
Limited sizes

Tom'southward Guide Verdict

The Vizio P-Serial Quantum (P65Q9-H1) delivers a well-baked picture with bully dissimilarity at a good cost — but its software holds information technology back.

Pros

+
Precipitous and detailed moving-picture show
+
Excellent contrast
+
No blurring during action scenes

Cons

-
Software is so-so
-
Lacks integrated voice assistant
-
Limited sizes

Vizio P-Series Breakthrough (P65Q9-H1): Specs

Toll: $ane,199.99
Screen size: 65 inches
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Refresh charge per unit: 120Hz
Ports: 4 (1 ARC, 2 HDMI 2.1)
Audio: 2 Channel [15-Watt]
Smart TV software: Vizio SmartCast 5.0
Size: 57.0 ten 32.7 ten 2.seven inches [west/o stand up]
Weight: 54.3 pounds [w/o stand]

The Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) sits squarely in the heart of QLED TV options when it comes to cost — at $i,199.99 for the 65-inch model, it's neither the cheapest nor the priciest. But information technology stands out for providing a premium picture show at that price. It'south loaded with features to generate its very abrupt image, including a full-array backlight, HDMI 2.1 ports, 120Hz refresh rate and support for every type of HDR.

Its faults are mainly inherent to all Vizio TVs — its SmartCast operating system. SmartCast doesn't proceed upwardly with smart OSes from the best TVs from LG and Samsung, or TVs that have Android Television receiver or Roku Bone driving them. But if you can't beget a big proper name TV and picture quality matters virtually to you, the Vizio P-Serial Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review will entice you.

Editor's Note: Since this review was written, Vizio TVs have been updated with support for HBO Max . Nosotros've updated the language in this review to reverberate this modify, merely the full general recommendations and rating of the review are unchanged since it was initially published in May 2021.

Vizio P-Serial Breakthrough (P65Q9-H1) review: Pricing and availability

Amidst quantum-dot LCD TVs, the Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) can be considered affordable, though it isn't the cheapest. The 65-inch model that I reviewed sells for $1,199.99 from Vizio and Amazon. Vizio besides sells a 75-inch version of the P-Series, simply those are the only 2 options for this model — many competing TVs too come up in smaller and larger sizes. See how it compares to the best Vizio TVs.

65-inch P65Q9-H1 — $ane,199.99
75-inch P75Q9-H1 — $i,499.99

Since both models have the same features and specs — such as full-array backlight, HDR support and HDMI 2.1 ports — we expect the 75-inch model to perform similarly to the 65-inch model we tested.

Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Design

The P65Q9-H1 doesn't wait like a cheap Television, especially from the front end with its slim, aluminum bezel, but more expensive TVs await more sleek. The 57.0 x 32.seven 10 2.seven inch unit isn't quite as thin every bit some premium LCD TVs, for example.

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Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

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Its boomerang style anxiety are made from metal, instead of plastic like many budget TVs, giving information technology a house foundation as well as classing upwards the look of the Television.

However, as with most TVs with this style of stand, you don't have a lot of clearance for a soundbar in front of it. You lot can also utilise a wall mount that supports 400 mm x 400 mm VESA patterns.

Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Ports

The P65Q9-H1 has four HDMI ports: two on the back and ii on the side. The two on the side of the P65Q9-H1 support HDMI ii.1, and can handle 4K at 120Hz . I the back of the P65Q9-H1, one HDMI offers audio return channel (ARC); neither of the ports on the back can do 120Hz.

In improver, in that location'southward a composite video connexion and USB port on the side. Sound ports on the back include optical digital sound and stereo analog audio — but it lacks Bluetooth, so it can't ship audio wirelessly to headphones.

There'southward also an RF antenna input likewise equally an Ethernet connectedness for wired network access, if y'all adopt that over the included Wi-fi.

Vizio P-Serial Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Performance

The P65Q9-H1 delivers an impressively detailed and color-rich moving picture — on par with TVs that toll hundreds more.

The first affair to catch my eye was the sharpness of the picture. Closeups of icebergs in the 4K Blu-ray version of Blueish Planet Ii revealed bubbling in the water ice and the tiny tube feet of starfish were each singled-out. The motion picture'south crispness besides translated well to action sequences — the Falcon zipped through the canyon without any blurring in the opening sequence of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

But the colors seemed slightly off in the default Bright fashion. They lacked warmth and were oversaturated — besides green, as well blue and too cherry-red. I switched to Calibrated fashion and the colors got much warmer. Peel tones appeared more natural. Showing off both the sharpness and color range, when Thor arrives in Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, the rainbow colors of the bifrost were distinct and Thor'due south lightning was very detailed.

Calibrated way also allowed the P65Q9-H1 to demonstrate its excellent contrast. With back up for all sorts of HDR — Dolby Vision and HDR10+, particularly — the screen handles dark scenes very well. In Without Remorse, Michael B. Jordan finds himself in a lot of nighttime rooms and locations at night. In all those scenes, the P65Q9-H1 fabricated it possible to proceed track of the action despite the low lite. In the 4K Blu-ray version of Blade Runner 2049, every bit Joe walks through the city and encounters the Joi advertisement, I could see details in the background, even as the intense colors of the hologram popped. While watching the Weathertop scene in the 4K Blu-ray version of Fellowship of the Band, facets of the rocks were axiomatic in the moonlight.

The P65Q9-H1 features a full-array backlight, which gives a uniformity to the display and helps it achieve its pleasing pic. However, the image appears washed out on the side if you devious too far from centre while watching. The P65Q9-H1 was easy to spotter in daylight, with what I perceived to be a brilliant panel — though our lab test results disagreed.

Vizio P-Series Breakthrough (P65Q9-H1) review: Test results

In our lab testing, the P65Q9-H1 produced a max brightness of 471.ii nits. That is well below the Samsung Q80T QLED TV (681.6), Hisense Quantum 55H9G (668.03) and TCL vi-Series Roku TV R635 (583.i), though better than the Samsung Q60T QLED Television (414.9). Yet, I never thought the screen looked dim or lacked plenty effulgence.

Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) — (Image credit: Vizio)

In other tests, the P65Q9-H1 performed in the middle of the pack as well. It's reproduced 99.xc% of the Rec 709 color space, showing its color reproduction was on par with the TCL half-dozen-Series (99.92), but below the Hisense 55H9G (99.76%), Samsung Q60T (99.72%) and Samsung Q80T (99.93%). It's Delta-E score, which measures colour accurateness, of 2.2 placed it in the middle of this group, with only the Hisense 55H9G chirapsia it (an impressive 0.nine).

But sometimes the numbers don't tell the whole story. In combination, the P65Q9-H1'south sharp image, color and brightness created an overall enjoyable film.

Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Gaming

For gamers, a big improvement in the P65Q9-H1 over final year'due south Vizio PX65-G1 are the two HDMI two.one ports, which allow the Television set to have advantage of the Xbox Serial Ten and Playstation five'southward almost advanced features. When connected to those two side HDMI ports, the P65Q9-H1 supports 120Hz at 4K resolution, as well equally variable refresh rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync. However, when I connected an Xbox Series 10, I had to manually switch the settings to HDMI ii.i to go those features — the Auto setting didn't detect the Xbox's abilities.

The P65Q9-H1'south lag time of 26.eight milliseconds ways it'due south a good, but not great, Television set for gamers, despite its support of 120Hz at 4K. Again, it sits in the middle of the pack against the competition, with both the TCL 6-Series Roku TV 2020, at 21.5 ms, and the Hisense 55H9G, at 16.1, chirapsia it out.

While playing Forza Horizon 4, I didn't feel any blurring even while racing at top speeds down the highway, and the details in the background remained abrupt throughout. Similarly, the details in the foreground and background while playing Apex Legends were impressive.

Vizio P-Serial Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Audio

For a midrange TV, the P65Q9-H1 produces average audio — but that doesn't mean it sounds proficient or that the audio comes anywhere well-nigh to matching the movie quality. Through its two 15-watt speakers, dialogue is easy to hear and its Virtual:X environment audio manner creates a very wide soundfield (over again, for a Television set of this type). But bass was lacking in every scene I watched. If you purchase this Idiot box, a soundbar should as well exist in your upkeep.

At that place aren't many tweaks yous can brand to the audio. In improver to Virtual:X audio fashion, you can likewise pick regular surround sound or plough surround audio off. You can also switch on book leveling and dialog enhancer, but there are no other audio modes to choose from.

The P65Q9-H1 supports Dolby Sound, but not Dolby Atmos, which may limit your sound options in the futurity.

The TV gets very loud — about 89 decibels at 100 — only information technology'due south very uncomfortable to listen at that level, particularly with the lack of bass.

Vizio P-Serial Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Smart features

The P65Q9-H1 runs Vizio'southward SmartCast operating organization, which — while improved — still falls fashion behind the field in terms of features and apps.

Setup is intuitive and the organization takes you pace-by-pace through what yous need to do. I was up and running in a few minutes.

The abode screen is dominated by suggestions of what to watch, and there's no style to customize what you lot see there. You lot can accommodate the featured apps on the third row to show your favorites in the Extras menu. Other carte du jour options include Movies, Shows, Gratuitous Channels and Apps.

Y'all'll notice some popular apps in the app store, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and Hulu, and information technology has YouTube Tv for live TV streaming. But it doesn't have Sling Television receiver or HBO Max. Even with the express app selection, finding an app is frustrating. The TV's search doesn't include apps in the results, then you take to coil through what's available. You can use Chromecast or AirPlay to push content from your phone, tablet or computer to the bigger screen — or just add a Roku stick and bypass SmartCast entirely.

The P65Q9-H1 lacks a built-in vocalism assistant, but you can link it to your Alexa, Google Banana or Apple tree HomeKit device to go hands-free. I used Alexa to turn the TV on and off and launch Prime Video. But it'south not as fast equally having an integrated vocalisation assistant and the commands didn't e'er result in an action.

Vizio P-Serial Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Remote command

Vizio's remote feels solid and comfortable in your manus. Information technology has quite a few buttons, including ability, input, menu, info, home, back and closed captions. You can control the book and channels, muted the audio and there'due south even a 0-9 number pad. The scroll bicycle in the middle allows you lot to navigate menus and apps. All buttons were responsive. Nevertheless, it lacks a backlight so it tin can be hard to meet in a night room.

The remote as well has seven quick launch buttons — more than most remotes and including some unique choices. In addition to Netflix, Prime number Video and Hulu, in that location are quick launch buttons for Vudu, Kumo (a free content service), Redbox (another free content service) and Spotter Free (Vizio'south free content service). Based on what I saw showing on those costless content services — how many reruns of 21 Jump Street do you desire to sentinel? — you likely don't need a quick launch button for all of them.

Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) review: Verdict

Vizio P-Series Quantum (P65Q9-H1) is an excellent Television set if you prize picture quality and don't care about the smart Os that comes with information technology. With its sharp 4K image and dissimilarity that reveals details in dark scenes, the P65Q9-H1 sets itself apart from cheaper QLED alternatives. It's a mid-priced model that registers moderate scores in our lab test and lacks a few nice-to-have features, such as an integrated voice assistant and Dolby Atmos back up, only the pic quality outweighs its downsides.

If you lot have several hundred more than dollars to spend, Samsung's Q80T has a beautiful picture and top-of-the-line features, including Samsung's excellent Tizen Bone. And if you lot're looking to spend less, the TCL vi-Series Roku TV (R635) and Hisense H9G Quantum Android TV are more affordable and still produce a very adept moving-picture show. Plus, they both come with much more than robust smart operating systems. But for a balance of price and motion-picture show, the Vizio P-Serial hits a sweet spot.

Michael Gowan covers soundbars, TVs, portable speakers and other audio- and video-related topics for Tom'due south Guide. He's written well-nigh music and technology for more than 20 years for a raft of publications including Wired, Men'southward Periodical, PC World and Macworld. When he's not reviewing speakers, he'due south probably listening to one anyhow.