Podcast #1060: Are TV Reviews Valid Any Longer and the New Vizio Lineup

This week we discuss whether TV reviews are worth using on the current crop of TVs and we look at the US use of Smart TVs growing even beyond the pandemic induced growth of 2020. Vizio announced their new lineup with the glaring omission of a new P-Series model. And finally we read your emails and look at the week’s news.

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Today's Show:

News: 

• YouTube TV Hits 5M Subs
• Hulu Driving More Subscribers For Disney Than Disney+
• ESPN+ Price Hike Coming Aug. 23rd, Monthly Rate Jumps to $9.99

Other:

• Join the Neat Exchange - Social Media for Whiskey Drinkers
• Ara's Woodworking
• Join the Flaviar Whisky Club and get a free bottle

Why 2022 TV reviews are a HOT MESS (Digital Trends)

TV reviews in 2022 have gotten messy. From delayed delivery and restricted availability, to confusing firmware updates, and unnecessarily deep dives, TV reviews don't look anything like they used to, and that's become a problem. (Youtube Video)

1. Supply Chain issues causing delays in TV shipments which means it's harder to get TVs for review. Some reviewers have to go to the manufacturer’s site for review. But you are reviewing the TVs on the manufacturer’s terms which means you won’t necessarily get the full picture.

2. Because there is a lack of TVs that are available for review some reviewers dive so deep into the minutiae they may expose something that does not affect 99% of the watching experience but they complain loudly. Then the TV manufacturers, wanting no bad press, over react and fix the issue and inadvertently break something else. Which results in the TV you bought a month prior turning into a different TV due to a firmware update. This may or may not be a good thing. But it kind of does invalidate aspects of any previous reviews.

U.S. TV Homes Using A Smart TV To Stream Up 15 Percentage Points Since 2020

Hub Entertainment Research reveals the huge pandemic-era shift in consumption patterns. The big question in a post-growth era for Netflix: Is this shift still happening? Full article here…

New Vizio Smart TVs for 2023

Vizio has announced its 2023 collection of new M-, V-, and D-Series smart TVs. However, there weren’t any new P-Series products announced. Vizio says that its existing 65- and 75-inch P-Series Quantum TVs, and 85-inch P-Series Quantum X TV will all continue to be sold until at least the end of 2022. A quick search of the Vizio website showed none available. For reference, Vizio lists the 85” P Quantum X for $3100. It is possible that the high end chips required for these TVs are in short supply but we’ll have to wait until the end of the year for any info.  Press release…

Vizio M-Series Quantum X

Specs:

• Size options: 65- and 75-inch

• 4K resolution

• Full Array LED with local dimming (FALD)

• 800 nits of brightness

• Dolby Vision, HDR10+

• 120 Hz native refresh rate

• AMD FreeSync

• VRR

• Wi-Fi 6E

• Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in

• Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit

• Price: $850–$1,200

Vizio M-Series Quantum 6

Specs:

• Size options: 43-, 55-, 65-, 70-, and 75-inch

• 4K resolution

• Full Array LED

• Dolby Vision, HDR10+

• 60 Hz native refresh rate - This is what saves you $250

• AMD FreeSync

• VRR

• Wi-Fi 6E

• Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in

• Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit

• Price: $350–$950

Vizio V-Series

Specs:

• Size options: 43-, 50-, 55-, 58-, 65-, 70-, and 75-inch

• 4K resolution

• Full Array LED

• Dolby Vision, HDR10+

• 60 Hz native refresh rate - this and no Quantum color is why it's less expensive

• AMD FreeSync

• VRR

• Wi-Fi 6E

• Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in

• Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit

• Price: $289–$780

Vizio D-Series

Specs

• Size options: 24-, 32-, 40-, and 43-inch

• 1080p resolution

• Full Array LED

• HDR Gaming

• 60 Hz native refresh rate

• AMD FreeSync

• VRR

• Wi-Fi 5

• Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in

• Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit

• Price:$160–$250

Download Episode #1060