Dec 22 Vizio adds 4K streaming apps for Amazon Instant Video, UltraFlix and Toon Goggles
Vizio announced that Amazon Instant Video, UltraFlix and Toon Goggles will soon be streaming in 4K on VIZIO P-Series Ultra HDTVs. Vizio will also roll out picture enhancements including improvements to their local dimming which will improve black levels according to the press release (see below). There are also improvements to the sharpness control and a few other enhancements.
Full Press Release
VIZIO Adds New Apps Supporting 4K Content to VIZIO Internet Apps Plus® and Advanced Picture Quality Enhancements For VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Smart TVs
New Apps Supporting 4K Include Amazon Instant Video, UltraFlix and Toon Goggles
Irvine, CA — December 22, 2014 — VIZIO, America’s #1 Smart TV brand1, announced today three additional 4K Ultra HD streaming services rolling out soon to VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array Smart TVs, expanding the selection of 4K content. Additionally, new picture quality enhancements further boost contrast and detail, allowing power users to more fully adjust the image to suit their personal preferences. VIZIO is also introducing additional new and updated apps that further enhance the user experience and expand content options across all VIZIO Smart TVs with VIZIO Internet Apps Plus.
Joining Netflix to offer consumers 4K Ultra HD streaming content, apps such as Amazon Instant Video, UltraFlix and Toon Goggles are coming soon and will bring even more Ultra HD options to VIZIO P-Series Smart TVs. As far as picture quality, P-Series customers will enjoy advanced local dimming performance for more accurate, localized black levels and contrast, new sharpness control with broad, adjustable regulator for both Ultra HD and HD content, and motion control support for a wider range of video and film-based sources.
With a growing ecosystem of apps, VIZIO remains committed to delivering a premium, yet easily accessible Smart TV experience, offering binge watchers a curated collection of top entertainment apps. VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Smart TV users can soon purchase Ultra HD movies and TV episodes through Amazon Instant Video directly through the VIZIO Internet Apps Plus platform. Select Ultra HD titles are also available at no extra charge to Amazon Prime members through Prime Instant Video2. Consumers will also soon enjoy UltraFlix, the first Smart TV app offering all-4K Ultra HD content, and Toon Goggles, a leader in on-demand entertainment for kids with thousands of parent-friendly cartoons, including popular titles available in 4K.
“Whether our consumers are streaming HD content on the 2014 E- and M-Series Smart TVs, or looking to enjoy 4K Ultra HD titles on their new P-Series, we are dedicated to delivering the best entertainment options available,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “Picture quality is also a fundamental pillar in VIZIO’s beautifully simple experience. Committed to delivering a great picture for our consumers, we are continuously taking steps towards advanced performance to achieve a stunning, more accurate on-screen image in the home.”
Several popular apps on the VIZIO Internet Apps Plus platform, such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, iHeartRadio, Hulu Plus, Spotify, Plex, AirCastLive and YouTube, are now rolling out with updates to give consumers even quicker, easier access to their favorite content. These popular apps now boast a faster, more fluid user experience, making it easier than ever to access top movies, shows, music and more.
With streaming music a popular choice on Smart TVs, Spotify is a recent addition to VIZIO Internet Apps Plus, allowing consumers to sit back and stream their favorite music from the comfort of the couch. With Spotify, Spotify Premium subscribers have unlimited, ad-free access to over 30 million songs on VIZIO Smart TVs. Also new to the line-up are apps such as Plex and AirCastLive. Plex organizes consumers’ personal media and streams the content to a variety of screens. AirCastLive allows users to send videos or photos from their smartphones directly to another user, giving consumers an additional way to share content that matters most.
VIZIO Internet Apps Plus delivers consumers an even more intuitive Smart TV experience, while remaining beautifully simple with a clean, elegant design. The seven-position app dock overlays the bottom of the screen for quick, at-a-glance access to the user’s favorite apps, without interrupting on-screen content. With built-in WiFi on all VIZIO Smart TV models, users can enjoy a quick and easy setup experience. In addition, second screen interactivity is supported through apps such as Netflix and YouTube. Consumers can use their smartphones and tablets to search for content, then simply click to play the content on the big screen, as well as control playback on the TV from their mobile device.
VIZIO Internet Apps Plus is available across the collection of new VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Smart TVs and VIZIO’s line-up of 2014 E-Series and M-Series Smart TVs. For more information, please visit VIZIO.com.
1 The NPD Group Retail Tracking Service, LCD only-apps included, Total Units sold in the U.S.: January –September 2014. The NPD Group Retail Tracking Service, LCD only-apps included, Total Units sold in the U.S.: January –September 2014.
2 Benefit only offered through Amazon Instant Video for Amazon Prime members
About VIZIO
VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. VIZIO skyrocketed to the #1 shipper of LCD television in North America in Q2 20071, within five years from their first shipment, and has been in the top 3 ever since2. VIZIO is now also America’s #1 Smart TV company5 and large size LCD TV company3 VIZIO is also the #1 Sound Bar Brand in the U.S4. 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. The brand is consistently recognized for excellence in customer service, and was awarded 19 Stevie Awards, including the Grand Stevie Award in the 8th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. 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 in North America. VIZIO has won numerous awards including Reviewed.com’s 2014 Best of the Year Value 4K TV, Best of the Year Mid-Range LCD and CES Editor’s Choice, “Best of CES 2014” by IGN, “Best of CES 2014” by PC Magazine and “Best of the Best 2014” by UltraHDTV Magazine for its Reference Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV. VIZIO’s P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV was also recognized by The Verge as “Best TV of CES” for 2014 as well as awarded “Best of CES” by Complex and “Best of Show” by Wired for 2014. VIZIO also earned #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, Sound & Vision’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. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com <http://www.VIZIO.com> .
1NPD DisplaySearch Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, North America LCD Shipments Q2 2007
2NPD DisplaySearch Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, North America LCD Shipments, Annual 2007-2013
3 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, 60” and greater LCD units sold, Jan 2013 – Mar 2014
4The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, units sold in the U.S., Jan 2011 – Dec 2013
5The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Flat Panel TV units with Apps included, Dec 30 2012 – May 24 2014
Press Contacts for VIZIO:
Katie Kotarak
The Brand AMP
T: 562-719-2146
E: katie@thebrandamp.com
Jim Noyd
Noyd Communications Inc.
T: 310-951-3768
E: jim.noyd@noydcom.com
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Reader Comments (1)
It will be interesting to see if this fixes any of the issues that Ara has experienced with his Vizio 4K.