Vizio plans another strong year with Jive home theater

By Ed Oswald | Published January 7, 2008, 12:41 PM

Several new HDTVs are due from the manufacturer, which saw significant growth during the past year.

Vizio logoVizio came from basically nowhere to reach the top spot in LCD TV for the second quarter of 2007. Sales have cooled somewhat since then, but it still remains quite competitive in the market.

The new champion is hoping to continue those good fortunes with eight new models to be released during the year, and also offering its first home theater option for its higher end televisions.

On the high end, the company is introducing the following:

Vizio VP60 display

* Two large-screen plasma models, the 50" VP504F and the 60" VP605F, both capable of 1080p resolution, and high-def picture in picture. The company will include an HDMI cord in the box, and would also include 2 HDMI ports on the side of the television to allow for easy game console hookups. Retail prices would be $1699 and $2899 when they go on sale in June

* Two LCD models, part of its new "Black Tie" series. 1080p resolution, four HDMI inputs, and also easy connection to its new home theater system. When it ships in July, the sets would be priced at $1499 and $1899 respectively.

Vizio's SP5.1 enhancement kit

The home theater system for these products, called the Jive SV5.1, features wireless transmission of audio to from the Black Tie sets to the speaker system. Retailing for $299, it would feature an easy install, long a problem with setting up home theaters.

Rounding out the lines are package deals with a home theater system, a 50" 720p plasma, as well as a 1080p version, available in June; and various plasma models ranging in size from 32 to 50 inches with retail prices ranging from $689 to $1399, launching in May and June of this year.

Comments

Well I went over and checked out WABBIT_TOONZ vizio flat screen and LOVED IT!!! So much that I went out and bought one myself, I got myself a 50 inch and it's SWEET!! Now I got WABBIT_TOONZ over watching mine lol Thanks Vizio

Score: 0

|

We bought a 32 inch Vizio HDTV--LCD type. I had never heard of the brand. It's got a very good picture and works great. I very happy to see it's #1 now :)

Score: 0

|

This bran caught my eye from the Distance on clarity and better yet price . i cant see how they were able to sell -100 then other models next to it . i made a stand for it kinda like _II_ . So far i was able to try rgb,hdmi lap tops a dvd player and the Wii on it. pretty neat i would say

Score: 0

|

Silverlight 3 goes live on Microsoft's servers

Microsoft's answer to Adobe's Flash is (unofficially) here, with prospects of higher-speed, higher-resolution video and for the first time, 3D.

Three Android phones on the way from T-Mobile in 2009

T-Mobile's myTouch 3G, launched Wednesday, will be followed by two more Android phones later this year, but neither of them will be HTC's Hero.

Best Buy-brand TVs to get TiVo

A new alliance will place the retailer's own brand alongide the manufacturers, and could also lead to future partnerships on services.

LTE still lacks a voice

The 4G Wireless standard that Verizon hopes to show off before this year is out is still at a loss for (spoken) words.

Data sharing among online advertisers: Is sanity in sight?

Lockdown with Angela Gunn In the middle of a 15-page plea not to get regulated, a spark of smart thinking.

T-Mobile's strategy to combat Apple's iPhone with Android

With a trio of Android phones now in the pipeline for 2009, T-Mobile hopes to break the iPhone's emerging stranglehold.

EC's Reding: Government should act as broker for media downloads

If Internet media services don't step up and build an attractive way for users to start paying for downloads, a commissioner says, government may do the job instead.

Sony TVs get Netflix, still no PS3

Though it's coming in behind LG, Samsung, and Microsoft, Sony will begin to offer Netflix streaming, too.

Google Chrome OS: Too little, too early

Carmi Levy: Wide Angle Zoom Don't start the revolution just yet, says Carmi, who isn't so certain Chrome OS will be the "Windows Killer."

GAO pen test brings the hammer down on federal rent-a-cops

But are the computers to blame for the contract-guard fiasco at FPS?

What's Next: Chrome OS will have at least some friends in high places

Also: South Korea takes another round of DDoS abuse, and Neelie Kroes and Steve Ballmer may shake hands before she exits stage left.

Report: Evidence of further creativity with Windows 7 upgrade prices

A ZDNet blogger did some serious digging for clues as to a reported price break on multiple Windows 7 Home Premium licenses, and may have found it.