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Vizio's CES 2012 HDTV lineup includes 3D, Google TV and ultrawidescreen... again

After lighting things up with new PCs and a 10-inch tablet, Vizio is returning to its roots by unveiling a series of new HDTVs during CES, along with a few old ones. Among its more conventional sets, the E3D series has been bringing value priced passive 3D since last year, but it will be joined by the M3D series in a 47- and 55-inch model, the latter of which includes a Bluetooth QWERTY remote. If that's not enough, users can step up to the R3D series which come in the same sizes and have better backlighting.


The more interesting news however, is that the 65-inch versions of both M- and R- lines feature VIA Plus, which is Vizio's customized spin on Google TV. We first got a peek at it last year, however the delayed introduction of Honeycomb and adoption of ARM processors likely doomed any chance of a release. In another blast from the past, Vizio has also queued up three 21:9 "CinemaWide" ultrawidescreen WFHD (2560x1080) models (above), in sizes of 50-, 58- and 71-inches with 3D and Yahoo! Widgets. We were heartbroken when we never saw these come home in 2011, although in all fairness no one else brought an ultrawidescreen flat-panel to us either so there's still an extremely rectangular space on our wall that needs filling. Prices and ship dates for all the new TVs are still TBD, and those without Google TV include Yahoo TV widgets. Check the press release after the break for the available details, before we check out the new models and try to find out if they'll actually arrive this time around.





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VIZIO Announces New Lineup of 3D Smart HDTVs Featuring VIZIO's
Award-Winning Theater 3D™ Technology and VIZIO Internet Apps®


- VIZIO introduces a new lineup of HDTVs with Theater 3D™ and VIZIO Internet Apps®
across a range of screen sizes for E Series, M Series, and state of the art XVT series

- Winner of Popular Science Magazine's Coveted "2011 Best of What's New" Award,
VIZIO Theater 3D™ technology is becoming the new standard for 3D viewing in the
home

- Theater 3D™ delivers crystal-clear, flicker-free 3D that's noticeably brighter than
conventional active shutter LCD TVs, with significantly less crosstalk, a wider horizontal
viewing angle, and smoother fast motion scenes

-Theater 3D™ eyewear produces less eyestrain and headaches than active shutter
glasses, and is battery-free, lightweight and comfortable, with up to four sets of glasses
included with each set

- VIZIO Internet Apps® deliver seamless access to a wide variety of popular online
content, including streaming 3D and HDTV movies

Irvine, CA and (CES) Las Vegas, Nevada – January 10, 2012 - VIZIO, America's #1 HDTV
Company*, announces its comprehensive new lineup of HDTVs featuring Theater 3D™
technology and VIZIO Internet Apps®. Ranging in screen size from 32 to 71 inches across
VIZIO's E-, M-, and XVT- Series, these smart TVs with superior 3D capability offer the
ideal combination of performance, picture quality and entertainment on demand for
every family.

The new E-Series lineup includes the 32-inch E3D320VX, the 42-inch E3D420VX and
the 47-inch E3D470VX. M-Series models include the 47-inch M3D470KD, the 55-inch
M3D550KD and the 65-inch M3D650SV. And for those seeking premium performance
and features, the R-Series offers the 42-inch R3D420VS, 47-inch R3D470VS, 55-inch
R3D550VS and 65-inch R3D650VS.

In addition, VIZIO is introducing XVT Series CinemaWide™ HDTVs with a 21:9 aspect
ratio. These models include the 50-inch XVT3D500CM, the 58-inch XVT3D580CM and
the 71-inch XVT3D710CM. VIZIO will demonstrate the new lineup at their private
showcase at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show,
January 10 – 13, 2012.

"With expanded entertainment options from TV apps and 3D movies, sports and games,
consumers expect more from their TV than just great picture quality," stated John
Schindler, VIZIO VP of Product Management. "That's why we've worked tirelessly with
our suppliers and partners to create a full lineup for 2012 that gives our customers the
best in class smart TV experience with VIZIO Internet Apps®, along with our award-
winning Theater 3D™ technology at an unmatched value for every household."

Recent recognition for VIZIO Theater 3D™ includes the prestigious "Best of What's
New" award from Popular Science Magazine as well as from entertainment industry
leaders that are driving 3D content creation. Director James Cameron, speaking to
the National Association of Broadcasters, recently projected the next big "threshold"
in home 3D adaption will be marked when passive 3D sets become the dominant 3D
product, in place of active 3D TVs.

Cameron said: "Instead of having a few-hundred-dollars-a-pair of active glasses, making
sure they're all charged up and are they working and are they switched on, there'll be
a bowl of disposable - we like to say recyclable - cheap plastic glasses that work very
well in decoding the image to the left and to the right eyes. If you're having a Super
Bowl party, you'll have a bowl on the coffee table, and if the kids sit on a pair of glasses
there's no major scold, just a minor scold. And that's going to accelerate adoption of 3D
into the home."

The award-winning, revolutionary new technology of VIZIO Theater 3D™ delivers
crystal-clear, flicker-free 3D that's up to two times brighter than current active shutter
LCD TVs, with significantly less crosstalk, a wider horizontal viewing angle, and much less
blurring with fast motion. Theater 3D™ eyewear produces less eyestrain and headaches
than active glasses, and is battery-free, lightweight and comfortable. Up to four pairs
of Theater 3D™ glasses are included with each TV set, and they are also available in a
rapidly growing range of styles and colors from brand name designers. They even work
in most 3D movie theaters.

"While active 3D had an initial advantage of being the first 3D technology to come
to market in the United States, passive 3D, such as VIZIO's Theater 3D™, is definitely
gaining traction," said Lisa Hatamiya, research associate at IHS. "Consumers are
becoming more knowledgeable about the benefits of passive 3D viewing technology.
IHS research reveals a strong consumer preference for passive 3D over active 3-D in the
U.S. television market. In a market driven by pricing, the lower premiums of passive 3D
TVs not only will bring more value to the consumer, but also will make the technology
better positioned for mass adoption."

VIZIO's Theater 3D™ utilizes circular polarization to produce superior performance and
a better viewing experience. And because the technology is built right into the display,
3D audiences can use battery-free, lighter and more stylish glasses in place of the bulky,
uncomfortable powered active shutter glasses required for conventional 3DTVs. VIZIO's
technology team was one of the first to develop products using this approach, which

helped drive VIZIO to become a market leader and major influence in the adaptation of
3D technology for the home.

"3D TV shipments in North America totaled about 300k units in the 3rd quarter of
2011, and about 30% of those were based on passive glasses technology, also known
as Theater 3D™ ," noted Paul Gagnon, Director of North America TV Research for
DisplaySearch." The Theater 3D™ segment should see further share growth in late 2011
and 2012."

Each model being introduced also features VIZIO Internet Apps® (V.I.A.), delivering
unprecedented choice and control of web-based content directly to the TV without the
need for a PC or set-top box.**

The V.I.A. experience makes top online content and services available at the touch of
a button, including: Hulu Plus™, Facebook®, Flickr®, Netflix®, Rhapsody®, Pandora®,
Twitter™, VUDU®, and Yahoo!® TV Widgets.

Also the Yahoo! Connected TV store makes its debut today on V.I.A. enabled HDTVs.
Yahoo! Connected TV Store provides consumers easy access to more than 180 free
and paid TV apps from leading brands including Amazon®, CBS, Showtime®, Pandora®,
USA Today, Wall Street Journal®, AT&T, iHeart Radio®, Fandago®, and QVC®. TV apps
provide engaging content designed to complement TV viewing and include news,
entertainment, finance, sports, games, social networking, music, photo sharing,
shopping, and more. For more information on the Yahoo! Connected TV Store, visit
http://connectedtv.yahoo.com> http://connectedtv.yahoo.com

Navigating VIZIO Internet Apps® is simple and comfortably accessible from anywhere in
the room thanks to the premium Bluetooth universal remote control with its integrated
QWERTY keypad (select models). Built-in 802.11n WiFi and one of the industry's easiest
setup experiences make it quick to connect to the Internet over a wireless connection.

High performance audio technology from SRS Labs further enhances the viewing
experience. SRS StudioSound™ HD is the ultimate all-in-one audio suite designed
specifically for flat panel TVs. StudioSound™ HD delivers an immersive, virtual, high
definition surround sound through the built-in TV speakers. The suite also delivers
remarkably crisp and clear dialog, rich bass, an elevated soundstage and consistent,
spike-free volume levels.

Below are details on each of the new VIZIO HDTVs with Theater 3D™ and VIZIO
Internet Apps®, being introduced at CES 2012. For more information, please visit


VIZIO 2012 HDTVs with Theater 3D™ and VIZIO Internet Apps®,

Model

Size/
Res.

Refresh
Hz

Smart
Dimming

VIZIO
Internet
Apps®,

3D
Glasses
Included

Remote

SRS
Studio
Sound HD

Ship
Date

MSRP

E3D320VX

E3D420VX

32"
FHD

60

42"
FHD

120

N

N

Y,
802.11n
wireless
Y,
802.11n
wireless

2 pair

2 pair

Y

Y

$549.99

Now

$749.99

Now

E3D470VX

N

Y

$899.99

Now

M3D470KD
Razor LED

M3D550KD
Razor LED

R3D470VS
TruLED

R3D550VS
TruLED

M3D650SV
Razor LED
with GoogleTV
R3D650SV
Razor LED

120

47"
FHD

47"
FHD

240 SPS

240 SPS

55"
FHD

47"
FHD

240 SPS

55"
FHD

240 SPS

Y,
802.11n
wireless

2 pair

Y

Y

2 pair

Y,
802.11n
wireless
Y,
802.11n
wireless

4 pair

Y

Y

Y

Y

4 pair

Y,
802.11n
wireless
VIA Plus
802.11n
wireless

4 pair

Y

Y

65"
FHD

120

65"
FHD

120

Y

Y

4 pair

VIA Plus
802.11n
wireless
Y,
802.11n
wireless

4 pair

2 sided with
QWERTY
keyboard
2 sided with
QWERTY
keyboard

2 sided with
QWERTY
keyboard

2 sided with
QWERTY
keyboard
Bluetooth
with
QWERTY
keyboard
2 sided with
QWERTY
keyboard
Bluetooth,
QWERTY
keyboard,
touchpad
IR
QWERTY
keyboard
2 sided
with
QWERTY
keyboard

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

Y

Y

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

VIZIO CinemaWide™ Theater 3D™ Series

Model

Size/
Res.

Refresh
Hz

50"
WFHD
2560
x1080
58"
WFHD
2560
x1080
71"
WFHD
2560
x1080

120

Smart
Dim-
ming

VIZIO
Internet
Apps®,

Y

Y,
802.11n
wireless

Y

Y,
802.11n
wireless

Y

Y,
802.11n
wireless

3D
Glasses
Included

4 pair

Remote

SRS
Studio
Sound
HD
Y

Ship
Date

TBD

MSRP

XVT3D500CM
Razor LED

XVT3D580CM
Razor LED

XVT3D710CM
Full Array TruLED

TBD

120

4 pair

Y

TBD

TBD

240Hz
SPS

4 pair

Bluetooth
QWERTY
keyboard

Bluetooth
QWERTY
keyboard

Bluetooth
QWERTY
keyboard

Y

TBD

TBD