New (2016) Vizio P series announced

[s44]

http://www.vizio.com/tvs/pseries.html

HDR (Dolby Vision), wide gamut, built in "Google Cast" (Chromecast functionality), included Android tablet remote, real local dimming (128 zones). No OTA tuner, if you care.

$1k for 50", $1300 for 55" (IPS), $2k for 65", $3800 for 75". All but the 55" are VA (better blacks than IPS). The 50", like the current (2015) 50" M, is gimped by a 60hz panel; the others all have true 120hz (which is called 240hz "effective"... gotta love this insane fake branding that apparently every TV maker does).

I like that they've gone for the streaming version of the dumb pipe.

 

[Kaido]

Curious as to how these look in person.

 

[thesmokingman]

Damn, that's a premium jump for the 70"-75" panel. I've got the '14 P70... probably not going to bite on it at price.

 

[s44]

Yeah, 65" is so obviously the sweet spot. It's as if, like with the R, they wanted to just make one model (65"), but got talked into making others as well.

That said, the 75" is still way cheaper than other sets with the feature set.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Not bad at all 128 zones and Chromecast built in. Very interesting that they dropped the coax connection finally right when many cord cutters are falling back on OTA to get basic channels. Bye bye Mohu Leaf I guess.

At 55 inches and that price I will still rather have the 1080p LG OLED, but at every other size segment this is probably the TV to own. I will probably end up recommending a few of these this year.

 

[thesmokingman]

Yeah, 65" is so obviously the sweet spot. It's as if, like with the R, they wanted to just make one model (65"), but got talked into making others as well.

That said, the 75" is still way cheaper than other sets with the feature set.

I knows, but I just dropped over 2K over a year ago dammit, Vizio!

 

[boomhower]

Think I have found my new TV. Had been looking at the KS8000 but on paper this thing blows it away at a lot lower price point. I will be waiting on reviews before pulling the trigger but am eagerly anticipating it.

 

[ponyo]

I hope no OTA isn't a trend. :thumbsdown:

 

[boomhower]

I hope no OTA isn't a trend. :thumbsdown:

My guess is it is related to the Google Cast. They don't want any hardware that would delay updates from Google in that software. When Google updates it they can just push it out without having to modify it themselves. I can't see it being a cost savings measure, they are putting a tablet for a remote. Cheaping out on a $10 tuner without good reason doesn't make any sense.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Keep in mind that the tuner is only good in the USA unless other countries are using the American ATSC specification. It is a wise decision to not include it so that the same producing coming off the factory line can be sold in multiple locations seamlessly.

But if you are affording one of these products then a $115-120 HD Homerun is an easy solution, no?

 

[hawtdawg]

But if you are affording one of these products then a $115-120 HD Homerun is an easy solution, no?

For a lot of people, cord-cutting isn't necessarily about saving money.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Screw the companies jumping on the touchscreen remote craze. If anything needs tactile feel it is a remote.

 

[EvilYoda]

They really need to offer the sets without the tablet remote...if you can download the app to your phone/tablet, why would I want another one laying around?

65" for $1800 without tablet remote sounds pretty good to me.

 

[s44]

Screw the companies jumping on the touchscreen remote craze. If anything needs tactile feel it is a remote.

The P-series will still accept the same IR remote commands as any other Vizio TV for power, input selection, and volume, and it even comes with a small standard remote in the box to control those settings.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/22/1...ogle-cast-tablet-remote-smartcast-app-feature

 

[ImpulsE69]

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/22/1...ogle-cast-tablet-remote-smartcast-app-feature

That's good but the article is insanity. It is obvious that the people who envision this are probably glued to their phone instead of watching TV.

I've been toying with Roku android remote for months and sure it's nice as a backup but for every day use it is HORRIBLE and cumbersome. No, using your phone for a remote is not a viable long term option, it is simply an OPTION when a better one is not present. It just is not practical. It has the same shortcomings as trying to do touchscreen gaming. You have no idea what you are pressing unless you are looking at the screen, at which point you aren't looking at the screen where things are changing. It is a bad design choice, catering to people who probably never look away from their phones to begin with.

Tactile feel is important, and these people have lost their way in trying to make all in one do it all sleek no button products. I fear though this will continue until there are no such things as buttons.

/rant

 

[JeffMD]

No OTA tuner.. soooo..its a computer monitor?

 

[poofyhairguy]

The P-series will still accept the same IR remote commands as any other Vizio TV for power, input selection, and volume, and it even comes with a small standard remote in the box to control those settings.

Wow so its Harmony compatible too? This new TV series is a winner.

 

[s44]

According to Vizio's Chief Technology Officer, who's participating in the AVSForum threads...

true 10-bit panel (and full 10-bit processing through the whole chain) confirmed
under 15-20ms input lag on game mode for HDMI5, 20-30ms on game mode for other inputs
native framerate of source for Google Cast playback
Dolby ATMOS and DD+ from streamed material comes out over ARC (!)

 

[thesmokingman]

According to Vizio's Chief Technology Officer, who's participating in the AVSForum threads...

true 10-bit panel (and full 10-bit processing through the whole chain) confirmed
under 15-20ms input lag on game mode for HDMI5, 20-30ms on game mode for other inputs
native framerate of source for Google Cast playback
Dolby ATMOS and DD+ from streamed material comes out over ARC (!)

I don't want to look at that. It will only create more panel envy!

 

[boomhower]

I couldn't wait for pro reviews, just put my order in for a 65". It will be delivered on the 31st. I'll post some thoughts up over the weekend.

 

[LegendKiller]

No coax just means you need to depend on something like TIVO. No biggie.

 

[hawtdawg]

This is crazy.

People in the AVSforum P series owner thread are saying it's every bit as good as just about anything out there. Owner of a VT50 saying it's just as good, and a JS9500 owner saying that it's just as good.

I'll wait for a pro review to be sure, but I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a P75

 

[thesmokingman]

This is crazy.

People in the AVSforum P series owner thread are saying it's every bit as good as just about anything out there. Owner of a VT50 saying it's just as good, and a JS9500 owner saying that it's just as good.

I'll wait for a pro review to be sure, but I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a P75

Did they talk about why there is such a huge jump in price from the 65 to 75?

 

[poofyhairguy]

I couldn't wait for pro reviews, just put my order in for a 65". It will be delivered on the 31st. I'll post some thoughts up over the weekend.

Can't wait.

 

[boomhower]

Did they talk about why there is such a huge jump in price from the 65 to 75?

It's the nature of the business, the price goes up exponentially with size. The increase is on par with increases from other manufacturers based on size but not tech. Buy a set with similar features in the same size and you'll substantially more. Looking at a Sony 940D or Sammy KS9800, neither of which support Dolby Vision. Which has a better picture will have to be sorted out once professional reviews but I anticipate it being close but the more expensive sets ultimately having a better picture but whether that is worth the price difference will vary from person to person.