Vizio's 2014 E- And M-Series HDTVs Feature Advanced Local Dimming And Full-Array LED Backlighting

VIZIO 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 E700i

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.

Vizio E-Series Pricing

E231: $159.99 MSRP, E231i: $179.99 MSRP, E241: $179.99 MSRP, E241i: $199,99 MSRP, E280: $199.99 MSRP, E280i: $299.99 MSRP, E320: $239.99 MSRP, E320i: $269.99 MSRP, E320fi: $299.99 MSRP, E390: $329.99 MSRP, E390i: $369.99 MSRP, E400i: $399.99 MSRP, E420: $399.99 MSRP, E420i: $429.99 MSRP, E480: $499.99 MSRP, E480i: $569.99 MSRP, E500i: $599.99 MSRP, E550i: $699.99 MSRP, E600i: $899.99 MSRP, E650i: $1,199.99 MSRP, E700i: $1,599.99 MSRP

Vizio M-Series Pricing

M322i: $329.99 MSRP, M422i: $529.99 MSRP, M492i: $699.99 MSRP, M502i: $729.99 MSRP, M552i: $899.99 MSRP, M602i: $1,199.99 MSRP, M652i: $1,499.99 MSRP, M702i: $1,899.99 MSRP, M801i: $3,299.99 MSRP.