Vizio's 2017 M-Series and P-Series 4K TVs Hit Retail Stores

Vizio's 2017 M-Series and P-Series 4K TVs Hit Retail Stores​

(Vizio)(June 14, 2017) The competitive landscape of midrange to premium priced 4K televisions just got a little bit more crowded. Yesterday, Vizio announced the official retail launch of its new SmartCast M-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus and P-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display televisions. These models all feature full-array local dimming (FALD) for a better picture enhanced by improved brightness and deeper blacks.

The P-Series offers buyers higher quality imaging technologies, highlighted by the inclusion of up to 128 local dimming zones and the company’s Clear Action 960 and a 240Hz effective refresh rate. The M-Series only offers 32 local dimming zones, a slower refresh rate (120Hz) and Clear Action 360. These differences are clearly reflected in pricing, where the P-Series outpaces the M-Series as well.

Pricing for the two lines is as follows:

• M-Series 55" Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus Display (M55) MSRP $699.99
• P-Series 55" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P55) MSRP $999.99
• M-Series 65" Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus Display (M65) MSRP $1,199.99
• P-Series 65" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P65) MSRP $1,699.99
• M-Series 70" Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus Display (M70) MSRP $1,999.99
• M-Series 75" Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus Display (M75) MSRP $2,499.99
• P-Series 75" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P75) MSRP $3,499.99

On the 4K front, both the M-Series and P-Series support HDR10 and Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR). Dolby Vision offers a better HDR experience, but currently has far less content for viewers to consume. New titles are slowly beginning to emerge, however, with more expected as we progress further into 2017.

Both Series are also designed to deliver a user-centric streaming experience, which Vizio refers to as “SmartCast.” Vizio says SmartCast brings app functionality to the display, presenting viewers with content and app recommendations, all of which can be launched using the included physical remote or the smartphone oriented SmartCast Mobile app. Conveniently, the app integrates with popular networks from Turner (including TNT, TBS, and Cartoon Network) and popular apps (such as Hulu, Vudu, and iHeartRadio), allowing for quick browsing and content selection. It’s also designed to expedite television setup and control of display settings for adjustments on the fly.

Further viewer conveniences are afforded by the inclusion of Chromecast, which enables browsing of Chomecast apps and 4K/HDR streaming content.

The M-Series and P-Series TVs can be found in-store and online through retailers such as Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart. They are on sale now!

 

[Robert Zohn]

We're likely including the P65-E1 in our 2017 TV Shootout.

 

[Tonto]

What, no P-Series 70" Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro Display (P70)? Wasn't the one Sonnie was going to get? Or is it the 75"?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Great news, Robert!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I ordered the M70-E3 with a pretty good rebate that just started... thru one of my distributors. I wish they made the P series in a 70", but they don't. However, I highly doubt I will notice a difference between those two.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It is a bit curious that they offer a 70" and 75" in the M-Series, but only a 75" in the P. Logic would suggest they'd keep the 70 for the M and eliminate the option of a 75 (forcing buyers to jump to the P).

Sonnie, I'll be interested in hearing your impressions.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Apparently they are allocated, so I am not 100% certain I will get one. I know I have paid for it, but if I don't get it pretty soon, I may just go ahead and pay a little more and buy it directly from their website, as they are offering $200 off right now and free shipping. My price isn't all that much lower.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Hmmm... there was magic in that post I made at 9:27AM... and at 9:58AM I got a tracking confirmation that the set will be delivered on Monday.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Nice!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Like a kid at xmas nice!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It's installed... preliminary thoughts... nice... very nice picture in the Calibrated mode. Even our cable looks good.

What I don't like is having to use an app (tablet or phone) to navigate and use SmartCast. There is no on-screen control of it with the remote, which means I can't use my remote with it to work the streaming programs (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc). This is supposedly going to be added "Summer 2017". So once they get that added, it will be much better. Until then, I'll likely get a Roku box to make it simple to use with one remote.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It is a bit of a transition (not to mention a pain to make sure you have your device with you and charged). But, once that app is fully integrated, your content surfing is going to be way easier than a remote.

Time to buy a dedicated iPad for the TV

 

[OJ Bartley]

It's installed... preliminary thoughts... nice... very nice picture in the Calibrated mode. Even our cable looks good.

What I don't like is having to use an app (tablet or phone) to navigate and use SmartCast. There is no on-screen control of it with the remote, which means I can't use my remote with it to work the streaming programs (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc). This is supposedly going to be added "Summer 2017". So once they get that added, it will be much better. Until then, I'll likely get a Roku box to make it simple to use with one remote.

That's annoying. I know, for someone who's interested in the latest audio processing modes and hardware upgrades it's kind of counter intuitive for me to be so strongly against tech integration... but I just like my devices to function well in a standalone capacity. I would much prefer a nice dedicated remote for daily use. But on the bright side... it sounds like this unit DOES do a nice job where it counts, so they can have a bit of a pass.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I played around with it bit more and I will definitely be getting a Roku to install. Their app is trash as far as I am concerned... it may or may not work half the time. Now I see what the app has such low review ratings.

I don't remember noticing this in the theater room with the Roku or the Shield TV and the JVC, but on the Vizio with the built-in SmartCast, I noticed on bright white/sky scenes on Netflix Iron Fist (4K HDR)... it was really grainy. Other scenes looked really good, but the graininess was noticeable on the lighter scenes. Fox News on the other hand looked superb... best I have ever seen it look. AMC also looked good.