This morning, VIZIO announced that it’s refreshing its popular line of 4K Ultra HDTVs with new M and P-Series models. These tuner-less displays have been refreshed from the 2016 edition with a few key changes, including dropping the controversial Android-powered tablet remote. VIZIO continues to be one of the best ways to enter the world of 4K content without sacrificing product quality and your budget. It’s safe to say that its latest releases continue that trend.
VIZIO’s new P-Series will ship with Dolby Vision HDR support right out of the box (something the 2016 model is still waiting on). It features the new XHDR Pro technology from the manufacturer, which it claims is its “most powerful local dimming” solution it has ever shipped with up to 128 different zones. Consider it OLED-lite, with individual zones turning off for darker blacks and increased contrast. As well, the P-Series offers 240Hz refresh rates.
After receiving a fair amount of grief over its Android-powered tablet controls last year, VIZIO is returning to a standard remote in 2017. An update is coming down the line that will enable SmartCast apps in addition to already included streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, more). VIZIO’s entire SmartCast lineup for this year includes built-in Google Chromecast functionality, as well.
The P-Series starts at $1,300 for the 55-inch model and goes all the way up to $3,500, topping out with a 75-inch display.
For the more budget-conscious shopper, VIZIO is also upgrading its M-Series lineup. Starting at $800 and 50-inches, these new TVs will also feature the same SmartCast software. The main difference here is that VIZIO is offering fewer local dimming zones – 32 vs. 128 – and the refresh rate falls to 120Hz. Dolby Vision and HDR10 are still supported on VIZIO’s less costly TVs, as well.
VIZIO M-Series is available in 50- to 75-inch varieties, with the high-end model coming in at $3,000.
The TV market continues to be flooded with new releases and fresh technology. While it’s confusing to keep track of standards like HDR, the main focal point of today’s news is that prices continue to fall on 4K UHDTVs. As we say with each release, now is the best time to consider making the jump to a new display and leave 1080p behind.
Come Christmas 2017, expect to see the new M and P-Series fall to the $500 range as these are certain to be hot-ticket items during the holidays. VIZIO’s latest releases are available for purchase today direct from the manufacturer with third-party authorized retailers following suit in the coming weeks.
[9to5-press-release]
All-New VIZIO SmartCast™ P-Series™ Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro™ Display Collection Delivers Ultimate Picture Quality Complete with Enhanced Detail, Color and Contrast
IRVINE, Calif., April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — VIZIO, Inc. announced today its all-new 2017 VIZIO SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display collection. Powered by XLED Pro, VIZIO’s most powerful full-array local dimming backlight technology, and XHDR Pro™ with Dolby Vision™ and HDR10 content support, the 2017 P-Series pushes the boundaries of high dynamic range. The range of contrast within the lineup has been dramatically expanded to provide more detail, depth and color than ever before1. Excellent picture performance is complimented by an intuitive smart TV experience designed with consumers in mind. Coming this summer, SmartCast TV will enable users to browse featured content and a curated list of apps directly on the big screen with the included remote. For those who prefer to control their entertainment via a mobile device, SmartCast Mobile is an app available for download for iOS and Android™ that seamlessly transforms mobile devices into powerful touchscreen remotes. Chromecast built-in further enhances the experience, allowing consumers to stream thousands of apps they know and love straight to their display2. The all-new VIZIO SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display lineup starts at $1,299.99 for the 55″ class size and is available now at VIZIO.com.
The 2017 P-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro collection looks to build on the success of the 2016 lineup which received an Editors’ Choice rating from Reviewed.com3 and was listed as one of the “Best TVs of 2016” by CNET4. Consumers interested in a 2017 P-Series will appreciate lifelike detail and clarity that redefines the viewing experience in large part thanks to HDR performance with Dolby Vision and HDR10 content support. With enriched brightness, XHDR Pro full-array local dimming technology delivers some of the industry’s best full-white brightness performance which dramatically expands the contrast range to reveal new detail with enhanced shadows and highlights. Viewers will notice the impact of Ultra Color Spectrum®, which offers over one billion colors to produce richer, more accurate color detail. For viewers who appreciate rich, inky blacks, the Xtreme Black Engine Pro™ enables precise backlight control utilizing up to 128 local dimming zones to adapt brightness to the on-screen image and achieve extremely deep black levels. Additionally, Clear Action™ 960 technology and an ultra-fast 240Hz effective refresh rate achieved with backlight scanning ensures action-packed scenes are smooth, stable and realistic.
“VIZIO’s picture quality expertise comes to life in the living room with P-Series,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “We’ve taken our most powerful full-array local dimming backlight – XLED Pro – and combined it with other premium technologies to push the boundaries of High Dynamic Range to dramatically enhance the viewing experience with added detail, color and contrast. For those searching for excellent picture performance complimented by a robust smart TV experience, P-Series is the collection to consider.”
As a member of the VIZIO SmartCast collection, every P-Series offers an intuitive smart TV experience. Available this summer as an over-the-air update to 2016 SmartCast Ultra HD displays and all 2017 SmartCast models, VIZIO is bringing the SmartCast mobile experience to the big screen by making apps accessible directly from the display. An intuitive SmartCast TV home screen greets users with content recommendations and favorite apps like Crackle, Hulu, iHeartRadio, Vudu and XUMO. Users can easily browse content with their remote before launching TV shows, movies and more, directly from their display with the touch of a button. A revamped out-of-box experience and easy first-time setup helps consumers get their displays up and running without a hitch. SmartCast Mobile offers yet another way for consumers to access their favorite entertainment. By simply downloading the SmartCast Mobile iOS or Android app, users can turn their mobile devices into the ultimate touchscreen remote where they can search, browse and stream content and control display settings from any room in the house. Popular networks from Turner, including TNT, TBS and Cartoon Network, along with favorite apps like Fandango NOW, Hulu, iHeartRadio, Pluto TV, Vudu, XUMO and more have been integrated into VIZIO SmartCast Mobile allowing viewers to easily search and stream shows from their mobile devices to the big screen.
All VIZIO SmartCast displays feature Chromecast built-in which allows viewers to browse thousands of Chromecast-enabled apps – including 4K and HDR content from apps like Netflix and Vudu – on their mobile devices. By simply tapping the Cast button in Chromecast-enabled apps, or using voice to control their display with the Google Assistant on devices like Google Home, consumers can stream their favorite shows and movies right to the big screen. The Quick Start Mode allows VIZIO users to turn on their displays automatically with a tap of the Cast button. By simply launching a Chromecast-enabled app, users can tap the Cast button and their display will turn on automatically and start streaming the selected entertainment. VIZIO P- and M-Series displays are also compatible with Chromecast Ultra.
For more information on the all-new 2017 VIZIO SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display collection visit VIZIO.com/p-series.
VIZIO SmartCast™ P-Series™ 55″ Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro™ Display™ |
(P55-E1) |
MSRP $1,299.99 |
VIZIO SmartCast™ P-Series™ 65″ Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro™ Display™ |
(P65-E1) |
MSRP $1,999.99 |
VIZIO SmartCast™ P-Series™ 75″ Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro™ Display™ |
(P75-E1) |
MSRP $3,499.99 |
1Compared to previous generations of VIZIO SmartCast displays.
2 The third party applications and content described herein may only be available in certain countries and languages, may require additional fees or subscription charges, and may be subject to future updates, modifications, interruption and/or discontinuation of service without notice, and VIZIO has no control over such content. Google account required to download apps from the Google Play store.
3 Visit reviewed.com for full reviews for the VIZIO SmartCast P-Series (published: 10/28/2016)
4 Visit CNET.com for full article (published: 12/16/2016)
About VIZIO
VIZIO’s mission is to deliver the ultimate entertainment experience through our community of connected consumers, advertisers, and media content providers. Through our connected entertainment platform, VIZIO is transforming the way consumers discover and experience media content. Since our founding in California in 2002, VIZIO has built an industry-leading brand and sold over 75 million products, including televisions, sound bars and other devices. VIZIO is a leading HDTV brand in America1 and is the #1 sound bar brand in America2. VIZIO product leadership is highlighted by a number of industry reviews and awards, making the 2016 collection the most awarded in company history. The VIZIO SmartCast P-Series, M-Series and E-Series Home Theater Displays all received Reviewed.com Editor’s Choice awards3 and are all listed as CNET’s “Best TVs of 20164.” The VIZIO M-Series SmartCast Home Theater Display was awarded Editor’s Choice from CNET with an 8.8 rating5 and the VIZIO SmartCast 65″ E-Series Home Theater Display (E65u-D3) was awarded Reviewed.com’s “Best TV of the Year” award for 20166. Also, the VIZIO D-Series earned a 2016 Editor’s Choice award from PC Magazine7. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com.
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