Two things are preventing 4K from going mainstream. One, the lack of 4K content, which content providers such as Netflix and Amazon are working on, and two, the expensive prices of most 4K TVs.
Vizio, the Irvine, California-based TV maker, attempts to take on the second problem with its line of affordable 4K TVs that carry the same features and quality that its rivals such as Samsung and LG offer for far more expensive prices. Vizio's latest series, the M-Series, reflects the company's fast-forward push into 4K as it aims to offer high-quality 4K viewing experience starting at $600.
For that price, buyers get a 43-inch 4K, or Ultra HD, television equipped a full array of LED backlighting and up to 32 active LED zones to light up all 8.3 million pixels to provide high contrast and deep black levels. All M-Series TVs are also equipped with Vizio's Clear Action 720 with a screaming fast refresh rate of 240 Hz for better image processing and sharper details in fast-action scenes, such as sports.
To address the relative lack of 4K content, Vizio included a spatial scaling engine that will upscale full-HD content of 1080p resolution and even 720p resolution images and videos to Quad HD, or two times the resolution of full-HD. It's not as good as 4K, but Quad HD definitely looks good onscreen. Also, Vizio outfitted its M-Series with support for the most popular apps with 4K support, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, UltraFix, and ToonGoggles.
Vizio's M-Series features a slim profile with an ultra-thin bezel that Vizio says will contribute to an "immersive" viewing experience. The TVs also come with a two-sided remote with a backlit QWERTY keyboard, which will make it easier for users to search for 4K content.
"Ultra HD is here to stay and consumers are continuing to seek out technologies that deliver a more immersive entertainment experience," says Vizio chief technology officer Matt McRae in a statement. "With Ultra HD content options on the rise, Vizio is committed to ensuring consumers have the ability to enjoy the enhancements in picture quality in their homes at the best possible value."
Vizio says its 50-inch P-Series 4K TV, which it released last fall, is the best-selling Ultra HD TV on the market. The 50-inch P-Series, which is currently selling for $800 on Vizio's website, contributed to the bump in 4K TV purchases last year, with more than 1.5 million units sold. Vizio expects that, with the rise of more affordable 4K TVs and the continued release of 4K content, manufacturers will sell up to 5.4 million units of 4K TVs in 2015.
Shown is the list of all models in the Vizio M-Series and their prices.
43-inch - $600
49-inch - $770
50-inch - $800
55-inch - $1,000
60-inch - $1,500
65-inch - $1,700
70-inch - $2,200
75-inch - $3,000
80-inch - $4,000
