Cello ZBVD0234: 43 Inch Cello - Review 🏆

Cello is a UK-based consumer electronics brand that has been manufacturing affordable, entry-level TVs since the 1980s. The Cello ZBVD0234 is one of their latest LED TV models aimed at budget-conscious buyers who want a basic HD TV without extra bells and whistles.

This 43-inch Cello TV sticks to the basics - it has an LED-backlit LCD panel with a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, and supports DVB-T2 Freeview HD broadcasting as well as satellite TV connectivity. There's HDMI and USB ports for hooking up devices or recording shows directly onto a USB drive. But it doesn't have any smart features or internet connectivity.

The ZBVD0234 is designed to be easy to setup and use straight out of the box. As a no-frills LED TV, it focuses on providing good picture and sound quality at an affordable price point. In this review, we'll take a closer look at the design, features, performance and value offered by the Cello ZBVD0234 to see how it stacks up as a budget-friendly option.

Design & Build Quality

The Cello ZBVD0234 43 inch TV has a simple yet stylish design with rounded edges and thin black bezels around the screen. The TV has a plastic casing that feels fairly sturdy and durable. While it may not have the premium metallic builds of high-end TVs, the matte black plastic still looks good and doesn't feel cheap.

The stand has a minimalist look with two feet positioned at the edges to provide stability. The stand feels quite sturdy and holds up the TV well without any wobble. The TV can also be wall-mounted using a standard VESA mount.

At just 80 mm thick, the ZBVD0234 has a slim profile that doesn't take up much space. The overall build quality is decent for the price, albeit mostly plastic. Those looking for an affordable TV with straightforward design and good enough construction will find this Cello model fits the bill.

In a similar vein, the Cello ZSO291: 19 Inch offers a compact solution perfect for smaller spaces. Its lightweight design and slim profile make it ideal for bedrooms or kitchens. The build quality is satisfactory, featuring durable materials, and the picture quality is bright and sharp for its size. This model provides excellent value for those seeking a reliable and stylish small TV without compromising on performance.

Picture Quality

The Cello ZBVD0234 43 inch TV delivers excellent picture quality for the price. It has a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, providing detailed and vibrant images. The LED backlighting ensures bright, uniform illumination across the entire screen.

While Cello doesn't specify an exact brightness rating in nits, the TV gets sufficiently bright for both dark and bright room viewing. It also has a high contrast ratio for deep blacks and bright whites. This creates a dynamic range that brings out details in shadows and highlights.

You'll get wide viewing angles from the IPS panel. Color and brightness remain consistent even when viewing the screen off-center, which is great for larger rooms. The picture retains its quality from multiple seats.

Overall, with Full HD resolution, strong LED backlighting, and IPS technology, the Cello ZBVD0234 provides impressive picture performance that punches above its budget weight class. It's perfectly suitable for movies, TV shows, sports, and gaming.

In addition, the Cello Z0222: 22 Inch is a compact option designed for smaller spaces. With a 720p HD resolution, this model is perfect for bedrooms or kitchens. Its lightweight design makes it easy to mount or place on a stand. Despite its size, it offers decent picture quality with vibrant colors and a respectable refresh rate. Ideal for casual viewing, the Cello Z0222 is an excellent choice for those seeking a space-saving TV without sacrificing performance.

Sound Quality

The Cello ZBVD0234 features decent sound for a budget TV. The built-in 20W speakers deliver enough power and volume to fill a small to medium sized room. While the speakers lack the bass and richness of a dedicated sound system, they perform well for everyday TV watching. Dialogue comes through clearly and the speakers can reach high volumes without distortion. The sound profile is tuned more towards dialogue and high frequencies rather than low end bass. So don't expect booming explosions or thumping music beats from the built-in speakers. Overall the speakers get the job done for casual viewing but those looking for an immersive cinematic audio experience may want to pair the TV with a soundbar or surround sound system. The audio capabilities are fairly typical for an affordable LED TV of this size.

Features

The Cello ZBVD0234 has a good selection of features for its price point. One of the main highlights is the ability to record live TV to a USB drive, allowing you to easily record your favorite shows. It has 2 HDMI ports, giving you flexibility to connect multiple devices like a Blu-ray player or games console.

For accessing free digital TV, the ZBVD0234 includes both Freeview HD and DVB-T2 tuners. Freeview HD provides access to over 70 free channels, with some available in up to 1080p quality. DVB-T2 is the latest broadcast standard, which provides improved quality and more HD channels compared to older DVB-T tuners. Together, these ensure you can receive a wide range of content.

The built-in USB media player is handy for viewing photos, videos and music files. You can plug in a USB stick or hard drive and play media files directly on the TV without any need for additional devices. This provides an easy way to enjoy your own content on the big screen.

Overall, the core connectivity and features of the ZBVD0234 cater well for both TV viewing and external devices, despite the lack of smart capabilities. The USB recording and media playback are useful extras at this price point.

Ease of Setup

Setting up the Cello ZBVD0234 43 inch LED TV is very straightforward. The included instructions are clear and easy to follow. All necessary cables are provided in the box, so you don't need to purchase anything separately.

The initial setup involves connecting the power cable, attaching any external devices you want via HDMI or USB, and running through the first-time installation prompts. The on-screen menus guide you through selecting your language preference, connecting to your WiFi network, performing a channel scan for Freeview channels, and more.

The built-in Freeview HD tuner makes setting up live TV very simple. You just run the auto-scan and all available Freeview channels in your area will be added. Connecting external devices like a Blu-ray player or gaming console is also seamless thanks to the 3 HDMI ports on the back.

Overall, the initial setup process for the Cello TV is about as easy as it gets. The menus are intuitive, the instructions are clear, and everything is streamlined. Even someone who is not very tech-savvy should have no issues getting up and running thanks to the simplicity.

Smart Features

The Cello ZBVD0234 is a non-smart LED TV, so it lacks any built-in smart features or apps. This means you won't get access to popular streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, or catch-up TV directly through the TV.

However, the TV does have HDMI and USB ports which allow you to connect external streaming devices like an Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Chromecast. This allows you to add smart functionality by plugging in these external devices. The USB port also lets you play media files directly from a USB stick or hard drive.

So while the Cello ZBVD0234 doesn't have any integrated smart capabilities, you can easily add streaming, catch-up TV, and media playback by using external devices. Just bear in mind you'll need to factor in the cost of these additional accessories if you want to make it a smart TV.

The lack of built-in smart features helps keep the cost down for a basic LED TV. But it does limit the functionality out of the box, requiring additional purchases to unlock the most popular streaming and catch-up services.

Remote Control

The Cello ZBVD0234 comes with a simple yet easy to use remote control. The remote has a clean layout with large, clearly labeled buttons that make navigating through the TV's menus intuitive.

There are separate buttons for power, mute, volume, channel changing, input selection, menu access, and media playback controls. The number buttons for direct channel access are grouped together while the navigation buttons are distinguished by different shapes and sizes. This makes finding the right controls easy without having to look down at the remote.

The buttons have a nice tactile feedback when pressed. The rubberized finish allows for a good grip and prevents slippage. The remote is lightweight and easy to handle.

Overall, the remote control that comes with the Cello ZBVD0234 is functional and uncomplicated. The essential buttons are all present without too many extra buttons that go unused. The simple design prioritizes ease of use for accessing the TV's main features.

Value for Money

The Cello ZBVD0234 43-inch LED TV offers decent value for its price point. At around £250, it's priced competitively among budget-friendly non-smart TVs.

You get a large 43-inch 1080p screen, built-in Freeview HD and satellite tuners, and HDMI/USB connectivity. While the picture and sound quality are just average, they are fairly typical for this price range. The TV lacks any smart capabilities but makes up for it with its easy setup and intuitive controls.

Considering its no-frills design and performance, the Cello ZBVD0234 provides good bang for your buck. It's a solid choice if you want a basic big-screen TV that gets the job done, without all the extra smart features. The price is reasonable for the size, resolution, and connectivity options.

Overall, this LED TV gives you the essentials at a wallet-friendly cost. It's a decent value purchase if you simply need a secondary set for a bedroom or kitchen, rather than a home theater showcase. For budget shoppers wanting an affordable large screen TV, the Cello ZBVD0234 is worth a look.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent picture quality for the price
• Good build quality and stylish design
• Easy to set up and use
• Built-in Freeview HD and satellite tuners
• USB media playback
• Value for money

Cons

• Only 2 HDMI ports
• No smart features
• Basic remote control
• Only 20W audio output

Overall, the Cello ZBVD0234 43-inch LED TV delivers very good picture quality and features considering its affordable price point. The inclusion of built-in Freeview HD and satellite tuners make it versatile for accessing content. While it lacks smart capabilities, the USB media playback provides a way to view personal content. With its easy setup and stylish design, it represents a cost-effective option for a decently sized LED TV. The main limitations are the basic remote, lack of smart features, and only 2 HDMI ports. But for a budget-friendly TV focused on good image quality, the Cello ZBVD0234 hits the mark.