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Vizio at CES 2014: affordable 4K, updated PCs, and speakers that run Android

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Vizio came to CES with a goal in mind: winning the 4K pricing wars. The company's new 4K TVs start at only $999.99, though it's also unveiled an impressive Reference Series for videophiles. Vizio also used CES to deliver updates to its laptops and all-in-one PCs, and even debuted something of an oddball product: speaker docks that run the Android operating system.

  • Nathan Ingraham

    Jan 8, 2014

    Nathan Ingraham

    Vizio's first 4K TVs will start at only $999

    VIZIO P-SERIES EMBARGO JAN 6 8AM ET
    VIZIO P-SERIES EMBARGO JAN 6 8AM ET

    Vizio announced its first lineup of 4K TVs yesterday, but there was no word on price. Surprisingly enough, the company has already broken its silence on the matter — its consumer-grade P series lineup of 4K TVs will start at only $999.99 for a 50-inch model. The top-end, 70-inch model will go for $2,599.99, making Vizio's series the most affordable we've seen yet. While Polaroid announced a $999 4K TV, its quality leaves a lot to be desired — but that's not the case with Vizio's models. We had a chance to check them out for ourselves and you're definitely looking at a high-quality picture.

    Of course, getting 4K content remains a challenge, but Vizio has also formally announced that Netflix's 4K content would be available on its new TVs. That's no big surprise, as Netflix was involved in announcements with a number of other huge hardware makers yesterday (including LG, Samsung, and Sony). It's still good news for anyone looking to get into 4K — now there's a quality, affordable option and the promise of content to come throughout the year.

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  • Nathan Ingraham

    Jan 6, 2014

    Nathan Ingraham

    Vizio's new Smart Audio speakers mash up a Jambox with an Android tablet

    Gallery Photo:
    Gallery Photo:

    Vizio has dabbled in Android before, but the Android-based product that the company’s showing off at CES 2014 was certainly a bit of an oddity — the company’s new "Smart Audio" bluetooth speakers embed a full display that will run Android 4.4 Kit Kat when they launch. Vizio’s offering two options — there’s a smaller version with a 4.7-inch, 1280 x 720 screen and a larger model with a 7-inch, 1280 x 800 display.

    It was hard to judge the performance, as these early demo models aren’t running finished software, but Vizio told us they would have hardware comparable to high-end smartphones. However, we did get to hear both speakers and they each offer a surprising amount of power for their relatively small size. The design is also typical of Vizio — the speakers are understated and classy but have some fun design notes — particularly the larger model, which includes a built-in handle for easy transport and comes in several different color schemes.

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  • Nathan Ingraham

    Jan 6, 2014

    Nathan Ingraham

    Vizio updates its Thin + Light laptop and all-in-one with Haswell processors, Iris Pro graphics

    Vizio Thin + Light 15-inch
    Vizio Thin + Light 15-inch

    It’s now been exactly two years since Vizio announced it was making the bold move of entering the PC marketplace with its Thin + Light laptops and all-in-one desktop computers. While its first round of laptops didn’t quite live up to our expectations, that hasn’t stopped the company from continuing to tweak and refine the basic concept introduced back at CES 2012. Today, Vizio’s pulling back the cover on a new 15.6-inch Thin + Light laptop and a new 24-inch all-in-one that don’t change Vizio’s basic formula but still should offer improved performance for those who appreciate the company’s simple approach to the PC market.

    When going back to the drawing board this year, Vizio decided to simplify its lineup — gone is the smaller 14-inch Thin + Light model as well as the larger, non-touchscreen 15.6-inch notebook that the company offered. Instead, there’s just a single 15.6-inch Thin + Light model that’s essentially identical from a physical standpoint to last year’s model. Vizio’s also decided to get rid of the 27-inch all-in-one and only offer the 24-inch model; the company told us in both cases that the remaining two computers it is offering make up the vast majority of sales.

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  • Chris Welch

    Jan 6, 2014

    Chris Welch

    Vizio announces its first consumer 4K TVs, kills all 3D support

    VIZIO P-SERIES EMBARGO JAN 6 8AM ET
    VIZIO P-SERIES EMBARGO JAN 6 8AM ET

    A year after unveiling its first 4K TV prototype, Vizio is fully commiting to the ultra high-def technology. Here at CES, the company is expanding its TV lineup to include a new P Series — Vizio's first consumer-grade 4K television. Set to be in available in sizes ranging between 50 and 70 inches, the P Series, in Vizio's own words, "is the culmination of advanced picture quality, powerful performance and a beautifully simple Ultra HD experience." These TVs feature advanced local dimming, a backlight that consists of 64 Active LED Zones, and even Vizio's very own custom silicon. All of that fancy language means that you'll ultimately be looking at a fantastic picture. The demo units on hand at the company's suite were vibrant, sharp, and incredibly detailed. But how much will they cost? The company's chief technology officer, Matt McRae, would only tell The Verge that the P-Series will be priced "aggressively."

    But there's another new Vizio series that won't be priced aggressively in any way, shape, or form; the company's Reference Series. Simply put, these are the best TV panels that Vizio has ever produced. The Reference Series is aimed at videophiles and "custom integrators," a good sign that you'll never see these at your local Walmart. But they're far and away the most impressive TVs Vizio has ever produced. The company says they were built from the ground up after over two years of dedicated R&D. Yes, they're 4K-capable, but the real star of the show here is High Dynamic Range (HDR).

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