Vizio Ups the Ante on Quantum Dot in 2019 4K TVs

Vizio announced on Jan. 7 in Las Vegas its 2019 4K HDR smart TV collection, with an increased assortment of premium picture quality technologies, many of which are trickling down from higher-level series to more affordably priced models.

The design emphasis has focused primarily on stepping up brightness and numbers of local dimming zones in each of the series, which include the entry-level V-Series, M-Series, P-Series and flagship P-Series Quantum X.

Vizio’s top-line P-Series models are available in 65- and 75-inch class sizes and split into two collections – the P-Series Quantum X and P-Series Quantum 4K HDR smart TVs. Both lines offer the Vizio version of quantum dot technology – Quantum Color.

The P-Series Quantum X sets provide up to 480 local dimming zones – more than double any previous P-Series model – and up to 2,900 nits peak brightness, said Carlos Angulo, director of product marketing, TV, at a line show at Vegas’ Vdara Hotel. The company says it is Vizio’s brightest TV to date.

The P-Series Quantum models feature up to 240 local dimming zones and up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness.

Quantum Color, which is Vizio’s next-gen quantum dot technology – also extends to the 2019 M-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TVs. Ranging from the 43- to 65-inch class size, the M-Series offers an Active Full Array backlight with up to 90 zones of local dimming, nearly double that of the 2018 M-Series collection.

Rounding out the TV lines is the V-Series 4K HDR Smart TV lineup, which the company says is Vizio’s former E-Series collection re-imagined. Although entry level, the series offers Dolby Vision support.

Also notable about the company’s 2019 offerings is that they feature Vizio’s smart TV experience, SmartCast 3.0, highlighted by support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. Functionality with Apple AprilPlay 2 allows screen mirroring of content on both the TV and the smartphone or tablet in use.

The SmartCast 3.0 platform will be what the company says is the first such platform to work with Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa.  It provides access to Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Vudu, iHeartRadio, CBS All Access, NBC and more. With support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in, viewers can stream, control, and share content directly from an iPhone, iPad or Mac or Android device to SmartCast TVs, all without extra hardware or products.

The lines will begin rolling out nationwide in Spring.