J
Justin Herrick
Guest
As expected, Vizio’s next generation of televisions are fully integrated with Google Cast. The company unveiled the new SmartCast P-Series range of televisions with Ultra HD resolution, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Google’s screen-mirroring technology.SmartCast is a “smart entertainment ecosystem” that the company is going to implement across displays, sound bars, speakers, and other equipment. The truth, though, is that it’s really just branding for Vizio’s devices with Google Cast support. Anything part of the SmartCast ecosystem can play content sent from a phone or tablet as long as devices are on the same network.
The way in which you control the SmartCast P-Series is big selling point for Vizio. Rather than using a traditional remote with these televisions, Vizio is pushing consumers to use the P-Series Tablet Remote that is included with every model. The tablet has a 6-inch display and is powered by Android, allowing you to both control content on the television or just view movies and television shows on the handheld device itself.
Wondering what the tablet actually has going on? Check out the specifications:
- 6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display
- V8 octa-core processor
- 16GB of internal storage
- Stereo speakers
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Since the tablet does have access to Google Play, you’ll be able to do everything expected from an Android device in terms of downloading content. Vizio isn’t like other companies pushing an in-house digital store as the only option.
Charging the tablet is done by placing it on the bundled wireless charging dock, but there’s probably a micro-USB port for wired powering as well.
The tablet has Vizio’s SmartCast app which stores movies, television shows, and more in one place. It’s the central hub of control and content for SmartCast devices like the SmartCast P-Series.
If you lose the P-Series Tablet Remote or someone is keeping it from you, Vizio has released a companion app for Android and iOS devices. This app is actually what you will find on Vizio’s spiffy tablet.
The SmartCast P-Series is available now from Vizio and select retailers nationwide. Pricing for the different models is as follows:
- Vizio SmartCast P-Series 50-inch model: $999
- Vizio SmartCast P-Series 55-inch model: $1,299
- Vizio SmartCast P-Series 65-inch model: $1,999
- Vizio SmartCast P-Series 75-inch model: $3,799
Each of the models listed above have HDMI, component, Ethernet, and USB ports. They’re also tuner-free.
Google was in talks with at least one other television manufacturer to create a similar batch of televisions. For now, all we know for sure is that Vizio is leading the way for Google’s new strategy to have a seat in the living room.
VIZIO Debuts Next Generation Streaming Ecosystem on All-New VIZIO SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display
VIZIO SmartCast Collection Features Intuitive App that Allows Users to Browse Content Across Multiple Sources
Irvine, CA — March 22, 2016 — VIZIO, Inc. announced today the launch of VIZIO SmartCast, its next generation smart entertainment ecosystem which will span displays, sound bars and standalone speakers. VIZIO SmartCast debuts on the all-new P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display collection, the first Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range offerings to fully integrate Google Cast technology. The displays are controlled by the VIZIO SmartCast app that comes preinstalled on the included 6” 1080p Android™ Tablet Remote. P-Series marries its intuitive smart features with unmatched picture quality technologies that were first brought to market on the VIZIO Reference Series. Available now, the collection starts at an MSRP of $999.99 for the 50” class size.
The VIZIO SmartCast app turns every mobile device screen into a remote control and represents a paradigm shift in content discovery. Instead of jumping between apps, VIZIO SmartCast allows users to search and browse content first by genre across multiple apps at once, then select the app or source to play the content. The app also simplifies on-screen navigation. Rather than struggling to see and adjust settings or navigate apps from across the room, VIZIO SmartCast users gain access to all menus and playback controls through the app. With the VIZIO SmartCast app available for download on iOS and Android devices, consumers will never have to deal with a lost remote again.
“The VIZIO SmartCast app, pre-installed on the P-Series Tablet Remote, finally brings home entertainment into the mobile era with advanced navigation, search and control of content sources,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “We’re excited to debut the
P-Series collection, which not only sets a new benchmark with picture quality technologies like High Dynamic Range and Ultra Color Spectrum™, but is also the world’s first display to fully integrate the Google Cast protocol.”
The VIZIO SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display boasts the same advanced picture quality technologies first released on the 2015 VIZIO 120” and 65” Reference Series. Ultra HD featuring High Dynamic Range with Dolby Vision content support transforms the entertainment experience with dramatic imaging, incredible brightness, contrast and color that brings content to life. New release titles such as In the Heart of the Sea and Point Break continue to roll out through video-on-demand services like VUDU, which currently has more than 30 Warner Bros. titles available in the Dolby Vision format.
“We’re excited to see VIZIO cascade Dolby Vision into their P-Series collection, delivering a premium imaging experience to a broader range of consumers,” said Giles Baker, SVP, Broadcast Business Group, Dolby Laboratories. “Viewers are now just a few taps away from the vibrant color and stunning contrast that Dolby Vision brings to Hollywood content.”
In addition to High Dynamic Range, Ultra Color Spectrum provides a wider color gamut enabling impeccable accuracy in every hue and tone, allowing more realistic colors than ever before. The P-Series also features powerful Full-Array LED backlighting with up to 128 Active LED Zones® which dynamically adjust to on-screen content for deeper, richer black levels and more accurate contrast1.
Each VIZIO SmartCast P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display includes a 6” Android Tablet Remote with a convenient wireless charging dock, putting consumers in control of their entertainment. The tablet remote comes pre-installed with the VIZIO SmartCast app and features Full HD 1080p resolution, Android Lollipop OS, a powerful V8 octa-core processor, integrated stereo speakers and 16GB of storage, making it a great standalone tablet as well. Consumers can enjoy games and other apps, available for download from the Google Play store2, on the device.
With Google Cast built in to every VIZIO SmartCast device, consumers can access thousands of mobile apps they already know and love. By simply tapping the Cast button, consumers can easily watch content go from their mobile screen to any VIZIO SmartCast or Cast-enabled device on their home WiFi network. And with casting over WiFi, users can still multi-task on the P-Series included tablet remote or their own mobile device without interrupting what is casting on the display.
VIZIO SmartCast makes its debut on the P-Series Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display with additional collections and products to follow. P-Series is available now with more information and retailers available at VIZIO.com.
VIZIO SmartCast™ 50” P-Series™ Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display™ (P50-C1) MSRP $999.99
VIZIO SmartCast™ 55” P-Series™ Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display™ (P55-C1) MSRP $1,299.99
VIZIO SmartCast™ 65” P-Series™ Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display™ (P65-C1) MSRP $1,999.99
VIZIO SmartCast™ 75” P-Series™ Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display™ (P75-C1) MSRP $3,799.99
1 Compared to Edge-Lit sets
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.
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 65 million products, including televisions, sound bars and other devices. VIZIO has achieved significant U.S. market share and held the #1 unit share position in the U.S. sound bar industry1 and is currently #1 unit share for all TVs2 and #1 unit share in Smart TVs3in U.S. VIZIO product leadership is highlighted by a number of industry reviews and awards including a 2015 CNET Editors’ Rating of 4 stars for a review of our E-Series Smart TVs4, 2015 Editors’ Choice award from Reviewed.com for our M-Series 4K Ultra HD Smart TVs5 and Sound & Vision’s Top Picks of 2014 for 42” and 54” Home Theater Sound Bar Systems. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com.
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