Vizio MQX 50 Review (4K120 / 1080p240 TV)

Here’s a review of a Vizio MQX, 50” TV. I concentrated on lag and retro-gamer-related features, but I think most gamers of all generations could use this video to get an idea if it’s a good fit for them or not. Also, I think one of the main takeaways from this video is 60Hz vs 120Hz (or higher) panels: If you're mostly running 60Hz content, will the added lag of 120Hz panels be worth it???

00:00 Intro
00:40 Backstory & Unboxing
02:30 BFI
07:40 RT4K CRT Emulation
10:07 Lag Testing
14:59 240Hz
18:17 Conclusion

[RetroRGB]

Sadly, YouTube compression seems to have killed all the BFI ghosting comparison shots. And the TV vs Gaming Monitor comparisons towards the end aren't as defined as they should be. LOL and you can't even see the noise in the CRT mask section. If I felt this TV was a good value, I'd have gone back and reshot everything, but I just don't think it's for retro gamers. There IS a good use case for it, so hopefully the video demonstrates that well enough!

[Meta_was_my_idea]

I'm so glad you make videos like this because it's something I didn't even think of when I've been buying these TVs and trying to play retro games on them thinking nothing had anything to do with the other.

[JPdelaGhetto]

Thank you for testing this! I've had the 75inch version on my wish list for a while now and it's really nice to see the lag test for it and how much some features affect that. I wasn't expecting amazing performance, but it's good to see proof that their MQX series definitely has better gaming performance than Vizio's other models like their P series.

[itchyisvegeta]

Great video.

Honestly for my needs, I'd buy a 85 inch 1080p 60hz TV if the price, input lag, and pixel response was good enough. Most my gaming is on Switch and Xbox Series S, so 4K is over rated for my current needs.

[Dimian]

Thanks bro 👌🏼🙌 super interesting and WELL edited

[_BELMONT_]

Fantastic video Bob! Thanks for all the time you spent testing this Vizio!

[manicmods]

I love my LG OLEDs! Amazing job keeping the review in the realm of retro gaming, easily a slippery slope. I have the Marseille upscaler for my Switch, great little upscaler but clearly, I should have waited for the RetroTINK. The CRT emulation mode is pretty wild!

[jimbotron]

Bob with your insider connections you should convince some manufacturer to physically emulate a CRT with LCD by using a barrelled glass cover for the screen and big pitch LCD pixels, even emulating the scanning process one pixel at a time, left to right, top to bottom.
There would be a market for them.

[davidtran]

Sorry to hear about getting a dud, but appreciate the heads up in the beginning. I would definitely be interested in reviews for a high refresh rate TV for retro gaming.

[golgorider]

I think 43 is a great size for a NYC apartment. It sucks that I have to shell out a lot more money for something with the same feature set at this size.

I took your recommendation several years ago and bought the TCL 4 Series TV. While I hate the HDR, it's been solid in all other uses, especially gaming. If I don't get this Vizio, I'm getting another one.

[petemalogne]

I love this!, exactly what I'm starting to wonder myself as I dig deeper into MiSTer configurations w diff TV/Monitors.. basically the fullest picture/highest resolution w correct scaling and no interpolation, correct scan line and shadow mask filters, setting the console to scale as it was originally developed, then using the TVs BFI, VRR, frame rate/scaling options, etc.. all these things need considering to achieve the most perfect and accurate picture imo, one that pushes the limits yet still retains all the OG glory lol. Can we someday match a CRTs motion clarity?? ..just maybe I think lol. haha Great Stuff as always.. I see and hear you loud and clear Bob.

[Jayrod]

I have a Sony X85J 43 inch 4K 120 Hz TV, and I love it. I personally wouldn't even bother with 1080p 240 Hz, as there's just diminishing returns at that point, on top of the fact that 1080p looks more blurry than either 4K or 1440p.

[krisc]

Couple things I thought of while watching:

1. Could those artifacts be caused by the noise reduction?
2. In regards TV being less laggy in the middle as opposed to the top or bottom, I hypothesize that may be due to the fact that the panel isnt truly a single panel. My Vizio E50-F2 seems to be split down the middle. Sometimes my TV will crash and the panel looks it's split vertically. Maybe they do this because of higher yields? I could also be completely wrong lol

[johnbrooks]

This is still gonna be better than my led o n n roku

[jamescampbell]

See if the blur busters strobe utility will let you tune the BFI on the TV in PC mode.

You should be able to use custom resolutions with large vertical totals and strove tune it to get rid of its Double Image, or at least make it much less noticeable

[Izquierda]

HDR would be essential to make CRT filters look good especially when you tack on BFI. Since this is an LCD technically you also want some backlight zone dimming in order to not get garbage contrast, though this will come at the cost of blooming artifacts especially with a low zone count and probably bad dimming algorithm on a cheap TV like this.

[chadwolf]

these are still kinda useless for modern consoles bec they dont support 240hz so really only high end pcs can use these. at least i think. but it’s cool that these are out there at a reasonable price.

thanks for highlighting this for us bob. i always appreciate videos like this

[tigheklory]

This whole time we have been in Bob's bedroom?!?! LOL! Thanks for the review!

[ericjohansen]

Thx for making this video. I have the same TV because it checked all the right boxes. I also have it hooked up to a original retrotink 2x. Still got to dial in the settings for a PS2. Any input appreciated.

[retrosean]

I get the feeling that as TVs advance, the more affordable ones tend to be worse in quality than the alternatives were before.