The Vizio XVT3D650SV may not be the first 65-inch LCD HDTV or the first 3D HDTV to hit the PCMag Labs, but it is the first set that uses passive, rather than active shutter 3D technology. While at $3,699.99 (list) it isn't exactly budget-priced, it's actually quite reasonable for a set of this size, especially since you get four pairs of 3D glasses in the box. Overall image quality is very good on this set, but 3D isn't quite as good as on our current Editors' Choice, the Samsung PN58C8000 ($2,999.99, 4.5 stars).

Design
Vizio HDTVs have never been known for their good looks, and the plain-looking XVT3D650SV doesn't buck that trend. The 2.3-inch deep cabinet is a bit thicker than ultra-thin models like the LG 47LE5500 ($2,099.99, 3.5 stars) and Samsung's aforementioned PN58C8000. The 65-inch panel is framed by wide (2-inch) bezels done up in the usual glossy black finish. Below the bottom bezel is a matte black speaker enclosure with a backlit Vizio logo in the center. The panel has a glossy coating that acts as a large mirror when the TV is off.

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The 93-pound cabinet rests on a 26-inch long oval stand. The stand is a bit shaky, and you can't swivel the screen, so you're better off mounting this monster on a big wall. As with the Vizio XVT553SV ($2,199.99, 4 stars), this model offers five HDMI ports (most sets this size give you four), but this time they're all vertically mounted in a recessed area on the back left side of the cabinet where they are easy to reach. They share space with three USB ports, an optical audio output, and a pair of analog stereo output jacks. The remaining connections are horizontally mounted facing downward and include Ethernet (though the set also offers built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi) and PC audio jacks, a 15-pin VGA (PC) port, one set of component A/V inputs, and coaxial cable/antenna jack. Pressing the round, silver dial (Vizio calls it a jag wheel) mounted near the bottom of the left bezel launches a Quick Menu with volume, channel, input choice, and power off controls. All other settings are accessible via the remote.

The Bluetooth remote control is virtually identical to the one that comes with the XVT553SV, with one exception; the PIP button has been replaced with a button that lets you activate the set's 3D mode. It has the same slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which is great for tweeting or socializing on Facebook. Speaking of Web apps, the VIA (Vizio Internet Apps) button launches the VIA dock, a customizable navigation bar containing widget and HDTV setup icons, plus icons for your favorite Web-streaming services.

The VIA lineup features Netflix, Vudu, and Amazon on Demand movie streaming services as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. It also gives you more than 50 widgets, including popular channels like Yahoo News, Finance, and Weather, Rhapsody, and Pandora, plus content-specific Web-video channels like CBS, TMZ, PBS, The Economist, and even a Justin Bieber channel.

The configuration menu is well designed and provides a brief on-screen description of each setting. There are nine Picture modes to choose from, four of which, the sports modes, deliver over-saturated colors, and the Game and Vivid modes aren't much better. You can create your own profile using the Custom mode, but for watching TV and movies, the Movie and Standard settings are your best bet. Backlighting, brightness, contrast, color, tint, and sharpness adjustments make up the basic picture settings menu, and advanced settings include noise reduction, film mode, motion smoothing, and smart dimming options. Smart dimming controls the set's 32 LED dimming zones, which automatically adjust backlighting for optimal blacks. Black levels measured 0.07 cdm² with dimming disabled and 0.05 cdm² with it turned on, and since I was unable to detect blooming, I'd suggest leaving it on. Conversely, the picture looked best with the Smooth Motion and Real Cinema options disabled.

Audio settings include five presets (Flat, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Classical) and a lip sync setting that lets you make adjustments if the picture does not sync up with the audio output. An equalizer panel lets you create your own custom sound profile, and you can avoid those annoying overly loud commercials by enabling the SRS TruVolume option. Lastly, the SRS TruSurround HD does an adequate job of simulating a surround-sound listening experience but it's no substitute for a real multi-channel speaker system. The speakers are loud and can be cranked up without distortion.