VIZIO D-Series D32h-J 32 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The VIZIO D32h-J is a 32-inch entry-level LED TV that offers decent picture quality and smart features at an affordable price point. Part of Vizio's 2021 D-Series lineup, this 720p model provides an option for budget-conscious shoppers who want a small to mid-sized television for casual viewing and don't require 4K resolution.

Some key things to know about the D32h-J:

• 32-inch LED-backlit LCD panel with 720p HD resolution
• 60Hz effective refresh rate
• Vizio IQ Active processor provides image processing and optimization
• Runs Vizio's SmartCast smart TV platform with Chromecast built-in
• Voice control compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
• HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range support
• 2 HDMI inputs

Overall, the VIZIO D-Series D32h-J is a no-frills small TV that emphasizes streaming and smart connectivity. It lacks more advanced features like local dimming but provides good value at this price point.

Design

The VIZIO D32h-J has a simple yet modern design that will look good in most living rooms. It has relatively thin bezels around the display, measuring about 0.4 inches on the sides and top and 0.8 inches on the bottom. The total depth of the TV is 2.95 inches without the stand.

The included stand has a rectangular base with tapered corners. It has a small footprint that sits on a TV stand or tabletop. The stand supports the display well and there is very little wobble.

Overall, the D32h-J has a standard design for an affordable 32-inch TV. The bezels are not the thinnest but they don't detract too much from the viewing experience. The included stand is basic yet stable. Those wanting a TV to mount on the wall will be happy with the clean backside and VESA mounting points.

The design of the VIZIO D32h-J is fairly minimalist and utilitarian, which is typical for TVs in this price range. It lacks some of the flair and thin bezels of more premium models, but gets the job done. If you're looking for a TV with a bit more style, check out the Sony KD32W830K. The Sony has an ultra-slim design with barely-there bezels and an attractive circular stand. It costs more than the VIZIO, but delivers a more eye-catching aesthetic. Ultimately the right design comes down to personal preference and budget.

Display

The VIZIO D-Series D32h-J has a 32-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It utilizes LED backlighting and an LCD panel to produce images.

While not full HD, the 720p resolution is adequate for a screen of this size, allowing you to view programs and movies with sufficient detail. You won't get the ultimate crispness of a higher resolution 1080p display, but very good image quality overall.

The D32h-J can get decently bright, with a peak brightness of 200 nits. This allows it to combat glare in rooms with some ambient light. Contrast is also solid at 600:1, providing good distinction between blacks and whites.

Viewing angles on this VIZIO are average for an LCD TV. Color shifting and loss of contrast start to occur at around 15-20 degrees off center, but remain usable out to around 30-35 degrees. So you'll want to sit fairly head-on for the best experience, but it allows for a little flexibility as well.

Overall, while not spectacular, the display capabilities of the D32h-J are quite solid given its budget price point. The HD resolution and brightness/contrast levels are sufficient for most casual viewing in living rooms and bedrooms. Those looking for the top visual performance may want to step up to a higher-end model. But for most uses, this VIZIO delivers pleasing and reliable picture quality.

Another 32-inch HD TV worth considering in this price range is the TCL S3 32S350G. It offers similar 720p resolution and overall performance to the VIZIO D32h-J. The S350G utilizes a VA panel for good contrast and black levels. It can hit about 250 nits peak brightness, making it suitable for rooms with some light. Viewing angles are also decent at this size.

Where the TCL differs is in its smart TV capabilities. It comes with the user-friendly Roku TV interface built-in, giving you access to thousands of apps and streaming services. The VIZIO takes a more basic approach, lacking any smart features aside from streaming casting. So the TCL provides a lot more options for streaming, gaming, and other connected activities.

The TCL S3 32S350G usually costs around the same as the comparable VIZIO model. So those wanting more smart functionality may want to give it a look. But both deliver very solid performance and value as budget 32-inch sets. And their HD resolution is perfectly fine for typical viewing at this screen size. So it comes down to which features suit your needs and preferences best.

Smart Features

The VIZIO D-Series D32h-J features VIZIO's SmartCast smart TV platform. This provides access to popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and more for endless entertainment options.

SmartCast comes with Chromecast built-in, allowing you to cast movies, shows, music and more directly from your mobile device to the TV. This makes it easy to stream content from hundreds of apps.

For voice control, the D32h-J works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices. You can use your voice to launch apps, search for titles, play music, switch inputs, control smart home devices and more. Hands-free voice control makes it simple and intuitive to use the TV.

There is 8GB of storage built into the TV to download additional apps from the SmartCast app store. Popular apps like YouTube, ESPN, NBC and games like Candy Crush are available to install right on the TV.

The intuitive SmartCast interface arranges your streaming apps, inputs and settings in a clean, easy to navigate design. Overall, the smart features on the VIZIO D-Series D32h-J provide great convenience and selection for all your entertainment needs.

Audio

The VIZIO D-Series D32h-J features a pair of down-firing full-range speakers with DTS Studio Sound, providing decent audio performance for most everyday TV viewing. The 2 x 10 watt speakers deliver reasonably good sound quality at normal volumes, though the bass is limited without a separate subwoofer. The audio is clear for dialog in TV shows and movies, but lacks the fullness for an immersive cinematic experience.

The TV supports common audio formats like Dolby Audio, DTS Studio Sound, and Dolby Digital Plus. There's no support for more advanced surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos, but that's expected for a budget TV model in this size class. The speakers can get loud enough to fill a medium to large room, but distortion becomes noticeable at maximum volume. Those looking for a more powerful and nuanced audio experience would need to connect the TV to a dedicated soundbar or speaker system.

Overall, the VIZIO D32h-J provides passable built-in audio that suffices for everyday entertainment. But audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts should plan on upgrading to a more capable speaker setup.

Ports & Connectivity

The VIZIO D-Series D32h-J comes with a decent array of connectivity options. Here are the ports you'll find on the back of the TV:

• HDMI - The D32h-J has 2 HDMI ports, which is standard for a budget 32" TV. The HDMI ports support HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0, allowing you to connect 4K devices and game consoles. However, only 1 port supports HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) for connecting soundbars or AV receivers.

• USB - For playing media files, you get 1 USB 2.0 port. A USB 3.0 port would have been better for faster transfer speeds. The USB port has enough power to charge mobile devices even when the TV is turned off.

• Ethernet - There is a standard RJ45 ethernet port in case you want to connect directly to your home network. This provides more stable streaming compared to WiFi.

• WiFi - Built-in WiFi allows wireless connection to your home network. It supports the latest WiFi standards - 802.11ac dual band. Setting up WiFi is quick and hassle-free during initial setup.

• Digital Audio Out - Optical audio output allows passing surround sound signals to external speakers that support Dolby Digital.

Overall, the connectivity options are decent for regular usage. More HDMI ports would have been better for connecting multiple devices. But the inclusion of HDMI ARC, USB, Ethernet, WiFi, and Optical Audio Out covers the basics.

Remote

The VIZIO D-series remote is simple and intuitive with only the most essential buttons. There's no number pad, which helps keep it compact.

The most used buttons like power, volume, channel toggle, input select, and mute are all in convenient locations at the center and top of the remote. Less frequently used buttons like closed captioning, aspect ratio, and settings are along the bottom.

For smart TV navigation, there's a dedicated VIZIO/SmartCast button to launch the smart interface. The directional pad provides smooth scrolling.

The remote relies on infrared rather than Bluetooth, so you need line of sight for it to work. Voice control is available by pressing the microphone button to speak commands into the remote. This provides hands-free options to launch apps, search for content, adjust settings, and more.

Overall, the remote is functional and easy to use thanks to its simplified button layout. The voice control feature enhances convenience. Those wanting advanced options may miss having a number pad or shortcut buttons. But for most basic usage, the remote is sufficiently capable.

Performance

The VIZIO D-Series D32h-J delivers decent overall performance for its price range.

Picture Quality

The 32-inch HD display offers adequate picture quality. Colors look accurate and natural in most content. It can't produce deep blacks due to the edge-lit LED backlighting, resulting in blacks appearing more like dark grays in a dark room. The peak brightness is sufficient but not impressive. Overall clarity and sharpness is passable for regular TV watching but finer details in high-resolution content can appear soft at times.

Motion Handling

When it comes to handling motion, this TV performs reasonably well. Fast-moving action scenes exhibit some motion blur but not enough to be too bothersome for most viewers. Engaging the motion interpolation feature introduces the soap opera effect but does help improve motion clarity. There is minimal judder when playing 24p content like Blu-rays after adjusting the Real Cinema settings.

Upscaling

Standard definition content looks decent when upscaled to the HD display resolution. The upscaling processor avoids adding major artifacts or noise. However, upscaled image quality can't compare to native high definition sources. High definition content is displayed accurately without requiring upscaling.

Pros & Cons

The VIZIO D32h-J has several pros worth considering:

• Decent display size and resolution - The 32-inch 720p display provides enough screen real estate for most bedrooms or small spaces without breaking the bank. While not 4K, the resolution is adequate for casual TV watching from a few feet away.

• Built-in Chromecast - Allows you to cast shows, movies, apps, and personal media seamlessly from mobile devices to the TV. Provides easy access to streaming content.

• Decent smart TV platform - VIZIO's SmartCast offers popular apps and easy usability. Provides essential streaming services and functions as expected.

• Good number of ports - Includes 3 HDMI inputs for connecting soundbars, consoles, Blu-ray players etc. Has USB, composite video, optical audio out, and antenna/cable input.

• Budget friendly price - Lower cost than many comparable 32-inch 720p TVs. Good value given the features and performance.

There are also some downsides to note:

• Only 720p resolution - Video quality trails behind 1080p or 4K models. Fine details and text lack sharpness from up close viewing.

• Mediocre built-in speakers - Sound quality is passable but thin and tinny. External speakers or a soundbar recommended for an audio boost.

• Limited brightness - Peak brightness is low by modern standards. Picture washes out in bright rooms with sunlight. Not ideal for well-lit environments.

• Basic remote - Very simple remote with just essential buttons. Lacks advanced controls offered on higher-end remotes.

• No smart assistant support - Does not support built-in Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri voice controls.

So in summary, the D32h-J provides good value and features for the price, but trails higher-end models in display resolution, brightness, audio quality, and smart features. Best suited for secondary spaces where ultra high-def video and sound aren't critical.

Verdict

The VIZIO D32h-J is a budget-friendly 32-inch HD TV that offers decent picture quality and smart features for the price.

The HD resolution and 60Hz refresh rate deliver good enough performance for most content, though fast motion scenes can appear blurry at times. The built-in Chromecast makes it easy to stream from mobile devices, while the dedicated streaming apps provide quick access to popular services like Netflix and YouTube.

The overall image quality is decent but lacks the sharpness and colors of higher-end 4K models. Still, it provides satisfactory viewing for secondary rooms or basic entertainment needs. The intuitive SmartCast interface is also easy to navigate.

For a compact television under $200, the D32h-J hits many of the key features consumers want in a small set. It's a solid value pick if you need an affordable HD TV that looks fine for everyday viewing and has the essential smart functions.

However, more discerning viewers who want a crisper picture with advanced gaming features may want to spend a little more for a higher performing 4K TV. But for budget-focused shoppers seeking good enough visuals and streaming in a small package, the D32h-J is a nice choice.