VIZIO Announces 2014 E-Series and M-Series HDTV Collections, Featuring Best-In-Class Picture Quality With Advanced Local Dimming and Full-Array LED Backlighting

IRVINE, Calif. and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZIO, America's #1 Smart TV company¹, announced today its collection of 2014 E-Series and M-Series Full-Array LED backlit LCD HDTVs. Demonstrating the brand's leadership in HDTV technology, VIZIO is introducing Full-Array LED backlighting with advanced local dimming technology as well as the latest generation of its intuitive VIZIO Internet Apps Plus^™ smart TV platform with more premium apps and features like second screen experiences that let users push content from mobile devices to their TV. VIZIO will showcase its new E-Series and M-Series collection at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV at the Wynn Hotel, by appointment only.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140107/LA41379)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090204/LA66605LOGO)

With sizes from 23" to 70", VIZIO's E-Series is ideal for consumers looking for the latest technology at a great value. Unlike most competitive models in this class, the new VIZIO E-Series includes Full-Array LED backlighting and advanced local dimming technology, with up to 16 Active LED Zones that deliver better light uniformity for a more vibrant, beautiful picture. Several of the new E-Series models also include VIZIO's latest generation smart TV platform, VIZIO Internet Apps Plus, and built-in Wi-Fi in every smart TV model. With VIZIO Internet Apps Plus, consumers can enjoy advanced features like second screen interactivity, from supporting apps like Netflix and YouTube, that allow users to surf for content on their smartphone or tablet and then push the content to the TV.

The new E-Series also sports an even sleeker design for 2014, with a thinner profile and an ultra-narrow 10mm frame on most models.  When compared to 2013 models, the latest offerings feature an up to 33% narrower frame and up to 30% thinner profile.

For consumers interested in stepping up to a higher grade of picture quality, VIZIO's 2014 M-Series collection offers enhanced picture quality with screen sizes ranging from 32" to 80".  Using advanced Full-Array LED backlighting technology, the 2014 VIZIO M-Series models provide superior picture performance.  With up to 32 Active LED Zones, consumers will notice more evenly distributed backlighting across the screen for more accurate and deeper black levels and brighter, more vivid details. Plus, Active Pixel Tuning delivers intelligent pixel level luminance adjustments to further increase contrast and picture detail accuracy.

Like the all-new E-Series, the 2014 M-Series collection also includes design enhancements like a premium metallic finish and ultra-narrow 8mm bezels that are up to 20% slimmer than last year's models.

"For over a decade, VIZIO has been a consistent HDTV leader by continually listening to consumers in order to design products that meet their changing needs," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "By harnessing the advancements we have invested in over the years, we are excited to bring advanced Full-Array LED backlighting technology to the new E-Series and M-Series, including twice as many Active LED Zones across both collections, plus new Active Pixel Tuning for our M-series, providing consumers with unmatched picture quality at an incredible value."

Active LED Zones technology in the 2014 E-Series and M-Series HDTVs represent a significant step forward in picture quality, setting the new models apart from other TVs.  Pure black levels with higher contrast are created by dynamic adjustment of the LED backlight in each Active LED Zone, based on the content displayed on the screen. More zones allows for more discrete control of the LED backlight resulting in improved contrast and a more beautiful picture. 

"Local dimming is a technology that allows LED LCDs to overcome one of their biggest picture quality problems -- grayish, washed-out renditions of black -- by selectively dimming and brightening different parts of the screen," said CNET, December 19, 2013. "Done right, it works wonders. The best-performing LED LCD TVs of 2013, including the VIZIO E- and M-Series were all local dimmers."

In addition to enhanced picture quality and more zones in both E- and M-Series, consumers will enjoy an enhanced smart TV experience with a new, backlit QWERTY keyboard remote, built-in Wi-Fi, new apps and the ability to push content to the TV from mobile devices through apps supporting the second screen experience.

Paving the way to seamless second screen interactivity between phones, tablets and smart TVs, users can now control apps with via a mobile device. The seamless second screen experience offered by VIZIO Internet Apps Plus, with initial support by YouTube and Netflix, works with Android and Apple iOS smartphones and tablets when the TV and device are on the same Wi-Fi network. Users can search for content on the corresponding app on their smartphone or tablet and then simply click to play the content on the big screen, as well as control playback on the TV from their mobile device. E- and M-Series customers will also enjoy new apps added to the VIZIO Internet Apps Plus platform such as Spotify, Lyve, Plex and AirCastLive®.

More information on M-Series availability will be released later this year. Consumers can find the new E-Series collection both in-store and online through key retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Sam's Club, Target, VIZIO.com and Walmart.  More information on VIZIO's CES announcements can be found at VIZIO.com/CES.

About VIZIO

VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in North American LCD HDTV shipments. VIZIO was #1 in North America LCD for 2010¹. VIZIO is now also America's #1 Smart TV⁵ and large size LCD company² as the leading seller of 60" and larger HDTVs in the U.S. with 30% of the market in this class². VIZIO was the #1 Sound Bar Company in the U.S. for Q1 2013⁴ For over a decade, VIZIO has remained committed to what it does best -- focus on the consumer to deliver visionary products at a great value. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics that now include PCs and mobility products.  VIZIO's products are found at Amazon, Best Buy, BJ's Wholesale, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, CNET Best of CES 2013 – Home Theater and Audio, Home Theater Magazine's Top Picks, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy and Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice among many other prestigious honors including "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with HDTVs Less Than 50 Inches in a Tie" from J.D. Power⁶. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com.

¹ DisplaySearch Market Tracker Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.
² The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Large Size includes 60"+, Q2 2013 units sold.
³ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included.
⁴ The NPD Group / Retail Monthly Tracking Service, units sold, Q1 2013.
⁵ The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included

SOURCE VIZIO