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Vizio's XVT Ultra HDTVs to bring 4K and glasses-free 3D to the masses, we go eyes-on
Vizio officially announced its 2013 HDTV lineup this morning and now we've gotten to see the new sets in person. At the top of the list are the company's XVT Ultra models at 55-, 65- and 70-inches, which will bring 4K video to living rooms on an unknown date later this year. The company had the 70-inch set on hand showing some native 4K footage, and as you'd expect, it looked good. Viewing angles approach 180 degrees, and the new design's 10mm bezel is barely noticeable. Speaking of which, the industrial design on the XVT line is understated and premium, with an anodized silver metal band surrounding the edge of the set and minimal branding. In addition to the 70-inch set, Vizio also had a prototype 55-inch 3D XVT model that was most impressive. Its viewing angles were just as good as the 70-inch set, but the highlight is its glasses-free 3D. Vizio's implementation of the technology takes full advantage of the 4K resolution to provide a high quality 3D picture, and its software maintains a focused picture from all angles. Of course, there are sweet spots for viewing the full 3D depth affect, but outside of those zones, 2D picture quality was maintained. Unfortunately, Vizio hasn't committed to a 2013 release date for glasses-free 3D, but the rest of the lineup, set to debut later this year, will still have the firm's glasses-dependent passive 3D technology. Interested? There's plenty of pics of the new sets in our gallery below. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Vizio unveils 2013 HDTV lineup, upcoming XVT Ultra HDTVs promise 4K for the mainstream
Just as we expected, 4K TVs are all the rage here at CES 2013 and naturally Vizio won't be left out. Among its 2013 lineup of LCD HDTVs is a new top of the line XVT-Series of Ultra HDTVs at 55-, 65- and 70-inches. The XVT551d, 651d and 701D don't have much in the way of prices or release dates, but the company claims it will "bring the expensive new technology to mainstream consumers." In the more accessible realm however are its M-Series displays, which will for the first time this year offer a universal backlit remote connected by WiFi Direct. Thanks to its connected remote, Vizio claims it will be able to control the entire home theater without the usual nagging setup process. There are two M-Series lineups, the one with Theater 3D ranges in size from 50-inches to 80-inches, and in price from $849 to $4,499, while the models without max out at 47-inches and $699. Check below for a press release with all of the prices and specs plus a shot of that remote, although all we know about a release is that they'll be arriving "later this year."%Gallery-174951%
Vizio's 'extra-large' holiday HDTV lineup goes from 55- to 70-inches
While Vizio's summer has been all about PCs, set-top Google TV boxes and even the odd ultrawidescreen HDTV, it's getting back into its usual garb for the fall. As is its customs, it's rolling out a few new HDTV models ahead of the big shopping season, which range in size from 55- to 70-inches. Other than the 58-inch CinemaWide ultra widescreen model there are also three representatives from its M-Series, with a 55-inch model for $949, and a 65-inch model that's $1,699 with 3D and $1,499 without. The other two models are in its E-Series line, and are 2D only edge-lit LED sets that feature a new thin bezel / slim frame design. The 60-inch version is priced at $999, while the 70-inch goes for $1,999. They all include the Yahoo Widgets powered Vizio Internet Apps (Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Amazon etc.) and WiFi built in and most are already popping up on store shelves near you (just ask Logitech and Sling how that works), check out a bit more information in the press release after the break.
Vizio's CinemaWide 21:9 HDTVs hit physical store shelves, price slides below $2k
While Philips is backing out of the ultrawidescreen game, it appears Vizio is still trying to move at least a few more units. The company announced that its 58-inch CinemaWide HDTVs have moved from being available exclusively online, to the physical store shelves of Costco and Sam's Club stores. If the prospect of watching most movies without any black bars (although standard 16x9 TV programming won't quite fit without side bars, zooming or app/menu filler) hasn't quite moved you to buy, there is also the news that its price has dropped another $500 to a shade below $2,000, which puts it closer to the 46-inch HDTVs it's size resembles when watching regular widescreen video. When they initially started shipping our friends at HD Guru were told it was a limited one time only run of 1,000 units -- we'll see if any more sets show up or if this the last gasp for HDTVs in this format.
Vizio XVT CinemaWide TV goes on sale, 21:9 movie purists celebrate the end of black bars
It's been a long, long wait for Vizio's ultrawidescreen LCD TV to show its face: the company was promising such sets starting around this time last year that ultimately missed the October and subsequent March targets. Vizio is one to eventually make good on a promise, though, and has just started shipping the first XVT series CinemaWide set. The lone 58-inch model's focus remains on that 2560 x 1080p screen, whose stretchy 21:9 aspect ratio fits what you often see at the movie theater without having to crop or adjust like you would with a typical 16:9 set. Whether or not you have a chronic aversion to black bars, the CinemaWide is still a respectable set in its own right, with edge-based LED backlighting, a 120Hz refresh rate, a Bluetooth remote and the common host of Vizio internet apps. The TV maker must be doing a form of penance for taking its time on the 21:9 display: the $2,800 regular price is a lot lower than the originally quoted $3,500, and you can pick up the CinemaWide TV for $2,500 if you act quickly.
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.
Vizio extends its LCD HDTV sales lead; new 3D, VIA Plus and ultrawidescreen TVs are on the way
We already took a fresh look at the Vizio Tablet due this summer, but the company's main business is HDTVs and there it's on top of US LCD sales again, with more than 20 percent of the market in Q1. Of the top five selling TVs in Q1, four are Vizios priced at $698 or less, while the other is a $1,699 MSRP Samsung LCD. Vizio launched its lower end E3D line earlier this year, the next series on the way are edge-lit M3D models due in August and September that up the refresh rate to 240Hz, come with four pairs of passive 3D glasses instead of two and have a Bluetooth remote. Up next, the 21:9 ultrawidescreen sets we saw at CES are real and will ship in October as the Cinemawide series in 2560x1080 58- and 50-inch models. Finally, the top of of the line XVT 6 series will feature the new VIA Plus Google TV platform and are going to be available in 47- and 55-inch sizes, but won't ship until December There's still no prices for any of these yet, but we're going to guess they'll go low as they usually do. Check the press release for all the details after the break including a glancing mention of the Vizio Phone.
Vizio shows off its full 2011 HDTV lineup: ultrawidescreen, 3D, Google TV, widgets & all
No more dribs and drabs of information leaking out as Vizio has finally listed its entire 2011 LCD lineup, again featuring LED back & edge lighting across all models. That includes two ultrawidescreen 21:9 Cinema models in its Theater 3D line in 50- and 58-inch sizes, two VIA Plus TVs with Google TV in the XVT3D476SP and XVT3D556SP, and continuation of its existing Yahoo! Widgets based Vizio Internet Apps features including WiFi and Bluetooth QWERTY remote across TVs sized 22-inches and above. Check the press release after the break for all the models and what they offer, perhaps wisely there's no detailed information about when and for how much they'll be available just yet, so we'll still have to speculate about which models will represent the sub-$300 3D portion of the lineup.
VIZIO 3D HDTVs show up at retail sporting a discount
Right on cue, VIZIO's latest XVT 3D LCDs have been spotted on retail shelves. Reader Evan noticed this 55-incher at Costco with a $1,999 price tag, a few hundred bucks off the initial MSRP. We'd still like to see some of those 3D specs thrown in, but with a pretty significant price advantage over similar TVs from other manufacturers like Sony we're thinking there's some room in there to snatch them up separately if one is so inclined. [Thanks, Evan]
Unannounced 65-inch edge-lit LED TV with passive 3D glasses shows up on VIZIO.com
Making plans to invite the whole neighborhood to watch the BCS National Championship in 3D? For large groups, the best option may be this 65-inch Theater 3D LCD HDTV that posters on AVSForum spotted today on VIZIO's website, since its screen is polarized for use with passive 3D glasses like the ones used at most movie theaters. Since all the cost is in the $3,699 screen, the individual pairs of glasses are far cheaper than the battery powered active shutter glasses used by other 3DTVs currently available. The specs show this one is a 120Hz edge lit LED unit, unlike the 480Hz local dimming 3D sets the company announced earlier this week, but we'll wait for an official announcement and a release date before deciding if that makes a difference.
VIZIO launches latest XVT series HDTVs, new Blu-ray players with 3D today
Say hello to the new VIZIO XVT 3D series, while the XVT Pro line announced earlier this year (and that 72-inch model we were drooling over) were not to be, these 42-, 47- and 55-inch HDTVs are real and on sale today through Amazon, Sam's Club and Target's online shops and should be on shelves later this month. Features like the number of LED backlighting zones (for the 47- and 55-, the 42-inch features edge LED lighting), claimed contrast ratio, WiFi N and VIZIO Internet Apps are consistent with existing models, so the big addition this time around is 480Hz refresh rate and obviously, 3D readiness (active shutter glasses not included). VIZIO's also announced two new 3D compatible Blu-ray players to match for $189, plus a new router and some high priced HDMI cables to fill out the lineup. Full specs and prices are in the press release after the break, but with a premium of $300-$400 on Amazon over the award winning 2D-only XVT3SV lineup (we have one in for review, hint: it's excellent), most will probably want to wait for some kind of package deal unless there's a copy of NBA 2K11 3D or Black Ops burning a hole in their console right now. Update: It appears VIZIO's made one other change since its initial 3D announcement, including RealD technology and using their glasses. We asked if these glasses will be compatible with those from other manufacturers but haven't gotten an answer to that question yet.
VIZIO XVT HDTVs with LEDs, WiFi, apps & Bluetooth ready to ship
This year's iteration of VIZIO's top of the line XVT LCDs (at least until the XVT3D -- née XVT Pro -- series hits in Q4) are finally ready to ship and, as we've come to expect, pack a long list of features to go along with their price tags. The 240Hz 42-, 47-, and 55-inch versions all feature LED backlighting, which may be ready to beat criticisms of light black levels with a claimed 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Whether or not you believe any TV manufacturer's contrast measurements, an increased 120 zones of backlighting (up from 80 last year, up to 160 from 120 on the 47-inch) and a profile that's 2 inches slimmer (down to just 3 inches deep) this time around should be easily noticeable. The 37- and 32-inch XVT models rely on the company's edge lit Razor LED lighting tech and are less than 2 inches this, with stated 1,000,000:1 contrast ratios. Other than arbitrary and easily fudged specs, VIZIO's fighting the competition with its VIA suite of features -- widget based app platform with Netflix, Pandora & others, built-in WiFi and QWERTY Bluetooth remote -- and they're all here, along with plenty of HDMI inputs and SRS audio technology. The 32-inch isn't the cheapest model that size you'll find at $699 and neither is the top of the line XVT553SV with its $2,199 MSRP, but after perusing the list of specs in the press release after the break, it's hard to imagine finding many with a similar resumé at those prices.
VIZIO adding WirelessHD to top of the line HDTVs
We might have to take the WirelessHD group's claims of mass adoption pricing more seriously now that VIZIO has made plans to integrate 60GHz chipsets from SiBEAM into its XVT line of LED backlit LCDs. SiBEAM is also planning to demo some the no-wires hookup at its off-site CES location, but since we've seen the technology at work, the only big question is how cheap can it get? The top of the line Panasonic Z1 made our gift guide despite a high price, but for VIZIO to send its first products onto Wal-mart and Costco shelves later this year it'll have to start at somewhere below the $6k mark.
VIZIO introduces new XVT, M and E series HDTVs
It's been a hot minute since we've seen any new kit from the cats at VIZIO, but it has evidently been hoarding up sets in anticipation for today. This morning, the company has let loose details on a veritable smorgasbord of new TVs, all of which fall within the XVT, M and E series. The XVT line is getting a boost from the new TruLED VF551XVT, which packs 240Hz dejudder technology, as well as a number of other companions ranging from 32- to 55-inches in size. The M series is amongst the prettiest of the bunch, boasting a JAVA design, 1080p panels and 120Hz technology. Finally, the E series (E is for Eco, get it?) sucks down far less energy than most, with screen sizes spanning from 19- to 42-inches. Far too many new sets are being unveiled to detail here, but you can feel free to dig in after the break.
55-inch Vizio VF550XVT1A review reveals a sibling rivalry in the making
Anyone waiting around for CNET's take on the 55-inch Vizio VF550XVT1A LCD can relax now that it's hit the test bench to be judged against its peers. As it turns out, despite light black levels, funky bottom mounted soundbar and some motion processing quibbles, the biggest knock against this set is its own local dimming LED-backlit followup due to hit shelves in just a few more months (and don't even get us started on the Connected HDTV due shortly after that.) Still, that two grand in your pocket won't stimulate the economy by itself so check out the review and see if it's worth it to wait.
Vizio Super Bowl ad kicks off million dollar 55-inch LCD giveaway
Forget the 3D, Vizio's "If your TV doesn't say Vizio...you spent too much" ad (embedded after the break if you haven't seen it yet) probably had viewers nodding knowingly at their V nameplate, being restrained from throwing objects through their (presumably overpriced) display, or wondering where the upstart manufacturer turned premium brand got the stones to call out THEIR high quality HDTV. Whatever your reaction was, you probably like free stuff, and Vizio apparently didn't blow it's whole marketing load on a plain-jane $3 million Super Bowl ad, stashing away another million dollars worth of 50,000:1 contrast ratio 55-inch XVT model LCDs in 28 weekly drawings from now until August 14. Check the website for details (visits are apparently up 400% since the ad, hopefully not too many of those were offended plasma owners), unless you're holding out for the new models.[Via PR Newswire]
Vizio presents 240Hz, LED backlit updates to the XVT series
Just nabbed a 55-inch 1080p Vizio XVT for Chrismakwanzika and feeling good about yourself? Consider a return, because the specs on the new models are here and the list is long. Music, 1080p movies (MPEG-2, h.264 & WMV9) or pics from a USB drive? The whole line has that with Vizio's Multi-media hookup, while LED backlighting, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 5 HDMI ports are kept exclusive to the $1,999 55-inch VF551XVT1A. 42- and 47-inch models share the 240Hz motion technology that's become so popular with their larger relative, but only rock 50,000:1 contrast and 4 HDMI jacks for $1,099 and $1,399 respectively. 32- and 37-inch aficionados can expect 120Hz refresh rates for $749 and $999 respectively when they ship in the fall, while the rest of the pack are summer babies. Of course, by then you'd probably want to wait for a Connected HDTV....we love this time of year.
SRS TruVolume debuts in Vizio's XVT HDTV and soundbar
We should've seen this one coming, because whatever Dolby can do, SRS can do one better -- something like that. Anywho, SRS is debuting its own volume controlling technology today by way of Vizio's snazzy new 55-inch XVT HDTV and VSB210WS soundbar / wireless subwoofer kit. In SRS' words, the tech is an "advanced, intelligent volume control solution that delivers a remarkable TV viewing experience by eliminating irritating fluctuations in volume." Oh, and if you're not exactly looking to buy either of those products, don't be shocked to see this stuff flooding across Vizio's line in short order; Ken Lowe, the company's VP and co-founder has been quoted as saying that he believes "all of [Vizio's] TVs should have SRS TruVolume going forward." And we all know the VP gets what he wants.
Vizio intros 55-inch 1080p XVT HDTV, soundbar, more goodies
Chrismakwanzika has come early for anyone remotely interested in Vizio kit, and quite honestly, even for those that aren't. From the top, we've got the 55-inch VF550XVT1A, a 1080p HDTV with 120Hz Smooth Motion Video technology, a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, five HDMI inputs, SRS TruSurround HD and a $1,999 MSRP. Next up is the firm's own soundbar and wireless subwoofer kit (VSB210WS), which has finally escaped rumor purgatory to pop official. The kit sports four 3-inch speakers alongside a single 1-inch tweeter for each channel, and the long throw 6.5-inch subbie makes sure the lows are well addressed, too. Just a single cable is needed to connect the VSB210WS to any flat-panel, and just $349.99 is needed to bring it home. On deck are a trio of smaller LCDs: the 19-inch VA19 ($249.99), 22-inch VA22 ($349.99) and 26-inch VA26 ($449.99), with the middle guy becoming Vizio's smallest 1080p HDTV ever. Closing things out is the 26-inch VMM26, a 25.5-inch "multimedia monitor" with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, HDMI / USB ports, touch-activated menus and a $429.99 sticker. All but the first two products mentioned are on sale now, while the first two will be available just before your '09 Super Bowl bash.
Vizio's 50-inch REON HQV-packin' VP505XVT now available
Vizio promised that this beast would be on store shelves in July, yet we've been forced to wait (and wait... and wait) until mid-November to finally see it ship. As disgruntled as we are by the delays, we can't help but think that Vizio has a winner on its hands with this 50-incher. The secret weapon here is the Silicon Optix REON HQV processing engine, not to mention the absurdly low $1,499.99 MSRP. For those keeping score, that's a full $200 less that what we were expecting, though shipping rates do range from patently rediculous to clinically insane when ordering direct from Vizio. Our suggestion? Phone up every Costco in your area 'til you land one.[Thanks, Michael]Read - On saleRead - Review
