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Vizio TV update helps you play HDR Blu-ray movies
Your shiny new Vizio TV just became much more useful for playing high dynamic range movies. Vizio is in the midst of rolling out an update to its SmartCast M- and P-Series sets that adds the HDR10 support you need to play HDR Blu-ray movies on current Ultra HD players from the likes of Philips and Samsung. While the sets already supported HDR, they were relying solely on Dolby Vision -- more advanced, but not ubiquitous.
Vizio's cheaper tablet-controlled 4K TVs start rolling out
If you want Vizio's 4K TV with SmartCast 6-inch Android remote, Ultra HD with Dolby Vision HDR and Google Cast receiving but you're not ready to pony up for a high-end P-Series set, a cheaper version is now available. Vizio announced the refreshed-for-2016 M-Series line in April and now they're going on sale, first via Vizio.com and eventually through other retailers. CTO and head of marketing Matthew McRae says that larger 70- and 80-inch versions are still on the way, but currently the $850 50-inch is the easiest one to get.
Vizio brings tablet remotes and 4K to lower-cost TVs
You don't have to splurge on Vizio's higher-end P-Series TVs to get some of their nicer features. The company is trotting out new M-Series and E-Series sets that bring over some of the nicer features, even if they aren't quite as eye-catching. Like its pricier counterpart, the M-Series now uses a 6-inch Android tablet remote (running the company's SmartCast app) and supports Google Cast streaming from other devices in your home. It's a big step up in quality over last year's model, too. There are twice as many active LED lighting zones (64) for higher contrast ratios, and you'll get luxuries like support for HDR video and Dolby Vision. Prices for the soon-to-launch, 4K-only line start at $850 for a 50-inch set, and scale all the way up to $4,000 for an 80-inch behemoth.
Vizio is bringing Google Cast to wireless speakers
Vizio's new SmartCast platform, based on Google Cast, isn't just headed to TVs. The company also revealed that it's working on a few wireless speakers that'll bundle in the technology. There's the Crave 360, a portable circular speaker that looks like Logitech's UE Boom lineup and Amazon's Echo, and the Crave Pro, a large bookshelf-like entry. Additionally, it's developed a wireless home theater system consisting of a soundbar, satellites and a surprisingly flat subwoofer. You'll be able to send music to the speakers through any Cast-enabled app, as well as manage them via the SmartCast app.
