HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "VIZIO"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

Vizio Announces $3,499 MSRP for 58" 21:9 CinemaWide TV

Fri Feb 03, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio (all tags)

The real mystery is the price of the 70" version.

If you love pulling out old 4:3 VHS movies, this TV isn't for you. If you focus primarily on videogames, this set isn't for you. If you're a movie lover however, you'll find something to love in Vizio's CinemaWide series.

The TVs earn their moniker based on their 21:9 aspect ratio, which comes out to 2.33:1 - essentially the same as the 2.35:1 used in theatrical releases. CinemaWide sets feature a 2560x1080 resolution and upscale Blu-rays to fit.

Vizio has revealed a $3,499 price for the 58" set, though we'll have to wait for pricing on the others. A $3,000 price point on the 50" model would put it in line with the 21:9 offering from Philips. The price for the 70" model is hard to estimate at this point, but don't expect it to be cheap.

Source: Engadget

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Vizio Launches a Google TV Powered Blu-ray Player and Streamer

Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio, Blu-ray Players, Google TV (all tags)

Both will be shipping in 2012 with prices yet to be announced.

Remember when Vizio was a brand that home theater enthusiasts scoffed at or just plain ignored?  This year's CES really goes to show that those days are behind us.  They may not be the highest rated company around, but they're definitely not slouches when it comes to cool new products.

Their latest Blu-ray player, for example, handles 3D movies, boasts Vizio Internet Apps, and comes with a QWERTY remote.  Oh, and the VBR430 also packs the Android powered Google TV platform which gives you access to thousands of apps, the Chrome web browser and a glut of content.

If you've already got yourself a Blu-ray player but you still want Google TV you can check out the VAP430 streaming player. It offers the Google TV platform of course, but a few other bonuses like HDMI inputs with pass-through functionality so you can hook whatever you like up to the streamer and switch sources without having to change the channel.

Both the Blu-ray player and streamer will be available this year, but pricing hasn't been announced for either.

Source: PR Newswire


Vizio Unveils Three Cinema Wide 21:9 TVs

Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio, 3D TVs, CES 2012 (all tags)

You'll be able to pick them up in 50", 58", or 71" sizes.

When HD TVs came out, the way television was filmed and watched changed significantly - we went from 4:3 to 16:9, giving us a nice wide frame. It's a nice step up and it helps out with watching movies, but it's not as nice as it could be - black bars are black bars.

Vizio's new line of Cinema Wide TVs set out to please hardcore movie fans. In 50", 58" and 71" sizes, the Cinema Wide TVs give you a long enough screen that you'll get a full frame without those black bars. The 21:9 sets aren't just 1080p TVs stretched out, of course. They sport a resolution of 2560 x 1080.

The 50" and 58" sets offer Razor LED edge-lighting with smart dimming and a 120Hz refresh rate. The 71" TV steps things up significantly by including Full Array Tru LED backlighting with 120 zones across the TV. It also gives you a 240Hz refresh rate.

You'll also find things that have become standard for higher end TVs, like a controller with a QWERTY keyboard, built-in Wi-Fi and, because it's a Vizio, passive 3D capabilities.

No prices or release dates have been revealed yet, but we should be seeing these sometime in 2012.

Source: eCoustics

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Microsoft Rumored to be Teaming with Sony and Vizio for a Kinect TV

Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Kinect, Sony, Vizio, Microsoft, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)

A TV set with solid motion controls could be a boon, but Microsoft's choice of partners raise an eyebrow.

Microsoft Kinect may not be the most wieldy gaming peripheral out there. Integration into hardcore gaming experiences hasn't exactly been happening and most Kinect games fail to impress. Where it shines though, is in controlling the basic user interface and swiping through menus.

It may not sound like much, but it's this functionality that TV makers have been trying - and failing - to put in their sets for a few years now. It makes sense that a company would want to take advantage of this tech and that Microsoft would want to find new ways to sell it or license it.

According to rumor, Microsoft has been in talks with two partners. The first is Vizio, a company that has been working hard to separate itself from the pack by trying out new technologies and making less conventional sets.

The second partner is Sony. While the PlayStation arm of Sony is completely separate from the Sony that makes TVs, it's still an interesting thing to see. Having the Microsoft Kinect baked into a Sony product would be quite a sight.

Source: Joystiq

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Vizio's Passive 3D TVs are Available Now

Thu Nov 17, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: 3D TVs, Vizio, Passive 3D (all tags)

They're LED edge lit and Wi-Fi enabled, but the big attraction is the passive 3D technology.

One of the things people have been crying out for since 3D televisions hit the market is the use of passive technology. They want to use the same glasses they use in theaters and they don't want to have to shell out for expensive glasses that need batteries or charging. At least, that goes for mainstream consumers who don't mind giving up a bit of resolution for their 3D set.

Vizio's M-Series brings passive to the masses, with sets ranging from 42 inches up to 55 inches, with a 65 inch TV due out in January of 2012. They offer LED edge lighting as well as built in Wi-Fi so you can stream from Netflix, Pandora, Vudu or whatever other online service you prefer.

The 42 inch model comes in at an MSRP of $1,039 and the 55 inch model runs $1,649 with the rest of the prices falling in between. Vizio's 65 inch set will cost $2,099 when it comes out in January 2012.

Source:Engadget

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Vizio Showcases 2011 Televisions - Including 21:9 Sets

Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio, 21:9 (all tags)

And yes, they really should be factored down to 7:3 but that just doesn't sound as cool now, does it?

Vizio has a lot up its sleeve for the 2011 holiday season, but the biggest - or at least the most interesting - addition to the company's lineup is the new Cinemawide series.

Two Cinemawide sets, in 50 and 58 inch sizes, will be available later this year at a price yet to be set. They offer a 21:9 aspect ratio, which means you'll be able to watch 2.35:1 movies that fill the screen instead of having to deal with black bars on the top and bottom.

Vizio is also launching XVT sets that boast 160 zones of LED backlighting and smart dimming technology. These are expected to launch in December.

Last but not least, the M series of passive 3D sets will be launching later this year. Each TV will come with four sets of glasses and will play nice with the glasses you take home from the theater. And admit it, you do take them home.

Source: TWICE

 

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VIZIO Outsells LCD HDTV Competition By 30 Percent

Thu Jun 23, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio, High-Def Retailing, 3D, Industry Trends (all tags)

Retaining its title as champ of the LCD HDTV manufacturers, VIZIO announced today that the company has sold more LCD HDTVs than any other manufacturer for the second straight quarter.

Besting their nearest competitor by 30 percent, VIZIO's sales are up 32 percent versus last year. Also, they moved 21.4 percent of all LCD HDTVS sold in the US (and 29.0 percent of LED LCDs).

How have they been doing so well? VIZIO was happy to say it was 3D:

"Meeting VIZIO's brand promise of providing 'Entertainment Freedom For All' is the driving force behind all of our sales successes. The spread of our Theater 3D models now goes well beyond early adopters and has made 3D a feature that friends and family can finally enjoy watching together," stated Randy Waynick, Chief Sales Officer, VIZIO. "And it's not only Theater 3D TVs that are flying off the shelves, it's our connected TVs with VIZIO Internet Apps and our lineup of Sound Bars and Blu-ray players. Consumers want connectivity, energy efficiency, value, and the best technology -- VIZIO delivers on every single one of these."

Source: PR Newswire.

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Vizio Ramps Up Passive 3D Set Production

Thu May 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Vizio, 3D TVs, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)

The company sees passive tech as the future, citing issues and expense associated with active shutter technology.

After the whole Blu-ray vs HD-DVD thing it seemed like we were done with format wars for a while, but then 3D hit and the whole thing started again. The current debate between active and passive technologies has fans and TV makers taking sides and Vizio has taken theirs.

"Growing sales continue to show that consumers want a high-quality theater-style 3D experience without flicker and the inconveniences of cumbersome, expensive eyewear," says chief sales officer Randy Winick. "Positive press from industry experts and feedback from Hollywood strengthens our confidence as well."

Thanks to those high sales and positive responses, Vizio is going to be ramping up their production of televisions using passive 3D technology significantly.

Source: Home Media Magazine

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Vizio Prices Its Passive 3D TVs

Tue Mar 29, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio, 3D TVs, Passive 3D, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)

They come in at surprisingly low prices, with even the 47 inch model at under $1,000.

When 3D televisions first hit the market and people complained about the cost of active shutter glasses, companies said that the alternative - televisions that use the same glasses we wear in theaters - would be too expensive. Vizio busts that myth with its new line of Cinema 3D TVs.

The cheapest of the new 3D sets may actually ship for less than $500. Vizio's 32 inch model has an MSRP of $549, which could easily turn into a shelf price of $499. Those "3D TVs are too expensive" excuses are out the window.

All of Vizio's new 3D sets come have Wi-Fi connectivity built right in so you can access Netflix, Vudu, Hulu Plus and more. They boast a trio of HDMI inputs, a two sided remote with a QWERTY keyboard on back and two pairs of 3D glasses.

Vizio hasn't announced a release date yet.

Source: Engadget

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Vizio is Heading Up-Market

Tue Mar 08, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Vizio, 3D, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)

What was once a budget brand is aiming to take on the big boys.

Vizio, once the king of the budget brands, is planning to take the business up a few notches again this year. While they still offered plenty of entry level sets, it was the higher-end selection that helped to increase sales in 2010.

"We had an incredible year last year and an incredible fourth quarter," says chief sales officer Randy Waynick. "The mantra at CES was: If you are a Vizio dealer, your market share grew. If you weren’t, it wasn’t such a good year for you."

"We launched our 65-inch Theater 3D passive system in December at $3,500, and our supply never even touched the level of demand," says Waynick.

Waynick says that the company's value-oriented philosophy remains the same. "It’s about bringing the best value, the best technology and innovation to the market place at a value price."

Source: TWICE

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