Vizio, maker of cheap LCD TVs for most of this millennia, has just announced they’re releasing five new PCs including ultralights and all-in-ones. These things are oddly well-designed and should come in at under competitor prices – a plus in the low-margin world of CE.

The PC swill launch in the spring and includes two all-in-ones, two thin and lights, and one notebook. Vizio is Microsoft’s latest PC partner this CES and all of these machines will run Windows 7 when they launch.

We’ll get further hands on when we can see these puppies in action.

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The Hulu Plus application debuted on Vizio’s wallet-friendly tablet back in August, and that partnership seems to have some life in it yet. New and existing owners of the Vizio 8 tablet will be getting three free months of Hulu Plus service, presumably to lure the truly media-hungry away from other devices.

Here’s how it will go down: a new software update for the Vizio 8 is going live today, which will preload the Hulu Plus app onto the tablet. From there, it’s a simple matter of creating a new Hulu Plus account (don’t forget to have a credit card handy) and you’re off to the streaming video races.

It bears repeating that the Vizio 8 only packs a WiFi radio, so don’t expect to blow through old episodes of Ally McBeal while you’re lounging on the beach. Still, having Hulu’s full catalog available in a small package will do in a pinch when you’re lazing about on the couch and the remote is just a little too far away.

Hulu Plus has found its way to a handful of Android devices these past few months, but today it makes its first official appearance on an Android tablet — just maybe not the one you were expecting.

Forget about the Motorola Xoom or the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Hulu Plus is making its tablet debut on the cost-conscious Vizio Tablet. It has to be something of a coup for the budget OEM, but it certainly fits in with the tablet’s focus on media and connectivity: it packs three speakers to pump out the jams and a universal remote app to take control of compatible home theater systems.

As fortunate as Vizio is to land the $7.99/month service, the decision may have been made at least partially to account for the ease of execution. Unlike the rivals listed above, the 8-inch Vizio tablet runs Android 2.3 (a.k.a Gingerbread) instead of Honeycomb, which puts it closer in app compatibility to handsets than its tablet brethren. The Hulu Plus app team would have had spend a few extra man-hours to make the app Honeycomb-ready, but not so with the Vizio tablet.

Still, easier execution or not, the addition of Hulu Plus will make the whole package more palatable to the media-crazed. Current owners can download Hulu Plus now from the Android Market, and newly interested parties can pick up a tablet for a shade under $300.

The Vizio Tablet is finally here after its initial debut at CES. Vizio wants desperately to control your home theater experience and the company’s new Android tablet is an integral part of that, acting as the central hub of Vizio’s V.I.A. (Video Internet Apps) Plus ecosystem. Acronyms aside, this means that Vizio’s HDTVs and its tablets will share the same interface and apps, keeping things uniform and easy to use.

As far as specs are concerned, the Vizio Tablet is an 8-inch WiFi-only slate with 2GB of internal storage built right in, and support for a microSD card. The tablet features Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI out, and has a battery life of up to ten hours, says Vizio.

Obviously, the specs on this bad boy aren’t going to change your life, but its price tag may be enough to win you over, at an MSRP of just $299. The Vizio Tablet is currently available at WalMart, Sam’s Club, Costco, and Amazon, along with other similar retailers.

The tablet itself, named VTAB100B, is an 8-inch WiFi-only slate that runs on a 1GHz CPU. 2GB of onboard storage is baked in, but the tablet has a functional microSD card slot for additional room. Connectivity is done through HDMI, WiFi, and Bluetooth with battery life clocking in at 10 hours. The press release doesn’t detail pricing, but Engadget is reporting that it’s going to carry a reasonable $349 when it hits stores sometime next month.

This promise at least seems to be fulfilled from the quick look although the tablet looks rather laggy even in the experienced hands of the Vizio rep. Scrolling is jittery, apps load slowly, and auto-rotation takes a good few seconds. It’s not all hateful criticism, though. Vizio is at least trying something different with VIA Plus and those that own nothing but the latest Vizio products should enjoy the additional functinality. But for the rest of us, it seems to be an unnecessary and probably pricey feature.

Of course this is a good deal of speculation based of one quick YouTube video. Perhaps the Vizio tablet will outshine the Asus Transformer and become the Android tablet to beat. After all Blake did posterize a car proving anything is possible.

So what were they fighting over? Apparently, Vizio infringed on a patent that LG had that relates to a way in disrupting a TV’s use, like by hotels and rent-to-own businesses.

VIA Plus: Think the video transporting features of Apple’s AirPlay but instead of iOS devices, this service will hit Vizio products including the just-announced Android VIA Tablet and VIA Phone. According to the short press release, consumers will be able to start watching content on one device and then pick up on another. How? No idea. The techy details will no doubt flow once Vizio’s CES showing gets underway although the presser does make mention that the devices will share a common user interface as shown in the pic above.

The newest Vizio hardware isn’t just limited to the 8-inch tablet or 4-inch phone, though. Just like the rumormill stated a few weeks back, Vizio has at least one upcoming Google TV model. Once again, the details are nonexistent, but the GTV is clearly mentioned in the VIA Plus announcement. CES, here we come!

The WSJ reports that Amazon is working on another streaming service, one with a subscription price scheme that will somehow be bundled with the Amazon Prime service that’s currently priced at $79 a year. Said service will stream TV shows and movies. This is slightly different than the Amazon Video On Demand service currently ran by the company. It’s the streaming part that’s different.

Amazon is currently viewed as the counter-iTunes as its On Demand store shares much of the same content for a similar price as the Apple counterpart but there’s a key difference. Amazon lets you keep what you buy; pay for a TV show and it’s yours until time ends — or until Amazon is no more but the former will probably happen first. Pay for a TV show on Apple TV and it’s yours for just a matter of hours.

Amazon also found its way onto several key platforms including TiVo, Roku, many Internet-connect Blu-ray players and is the video service of choice on Google TV. It’s probably not a stretch to imagine that Amazon would work this service into the current platform to instantly bring it to all the current streamers already deployed.

Onlive, however, doesn’t have the same install base as Amazon Video On Demand. But it does have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines, watching everyone hack away. One of the video game streaming company’s major investors just happens to be Time Warner’s Warner Bros. studio. With a push of a gigantic red cartoon button, OnLive could probably have access to the company’s vast video library. Subscription-based plans are already kosher with OnLive and a video streaming service would greatly increase its living room appeal.

OnLive’s CEO warns that if Netflix could be the only streaming service in town if alternatives are not available. Services like the ones from Amazon, OnLive, and even Vizio, who is said to have a similar service in the works, might not be able to ever topple Netflix. All they need to do is turn a profit for the companies to be successful. Being the coolest kid in town does have its drawbacks anyway. Every little mistake gets blown out of proportion and there’s always nasty rumors always circulating about venereal diseases and whatnot. But competition is good. Even for Netflix.

Get this, the XVT and upcoming XVT Pro line have all these services built-in:

• Vudu
• Netflix
• Yahoo TV Wdigets
• Flickr
• Twitter
• Blockbuster OnDemand
• Amazon Video On Demand
• Rhapsody
• Pandora
• Showtime videos
• Revision3 videos
• blip.tv
• CBS
• NBC
• CNBC
• The Weather Channel
• Roxio CinemaNow

Now some of these services like Netflix and Blockbuster OnDemand require a subsciption, but the access is built-into the set. The technical specs are just as impressive with a 240Hz, localized-dimming LED backlit screen, 5 HDMI ports, and 802.11 b/g/n for all that Internet fun. The 42-inch set starts the line off at $949 with the 47-inch and 55-inch fetching $1,549 and $1,999, respectively. [Amazon via Big Picture Big Sound]

Vizio has announced three versions of the product, one with a 7-inch screen, one with a 9-inch screen, and one with a 10-inch screen.

The 7-inch version has a 7-inch LED, an supports resolution of up to 800×480. It features auxiliary inputs for a DVD or other device, and the internal battery will run for about 3 hours. MSRP is $149, and it’ll be available sometime later this year.

The 9-inch and 10-inch versions also support 80×480, but they include an HDMI jack, as well as a USB port for viewing images or listening to music. The 9-inch version will cost $199, and the 10-inch version will go for $229.

If you’d like to read the press release, click here.

The XVT Pro model line includes a 72-inch, 55-inch, and 47-inch for $3499, $2499, and $1999, respectively. All are equipped with with a 3D mode, five HDMI 1.3 jacks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless HDMI, and a bunch of apps. The big boy 72-inch (XVTPRO720SV) however, features 480 zones of localized dimming, while the 55-inch only has 120 and the 47, 160 zones.

There is even a new 58-inch Cinema Wide Display with a 21×9 aspect ration and 2560 x 1080 resolution. This set is perfect for those 2:35:1 movies that leave black bars above and beneath the picture on a 16×9 set. The XVTPRO580CD also has all the goodies described above.

Don’t get too excited about these sets. They will not be available until August. That’s eight months from now. By that time, other manufacturers will probably hop on the wireless HDMI and 3D bandwagon. Hopefully they will copy the QWERTY remote too.

Well this is no fun. If you’ve been patiently waiting for the Vizio HDTVs that bring Twiiter, Facebook, Netflix, and Yahoo into you living room, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. Santa isn’t going to bring one this year.

The HDTV sets were supposed to be out in July, but that obviously didn’t happen. CNET is reporting that the new launch date is January 2010. Too bad that Vizio couldn’t make the original deadline. We’ll no doubt see other HDTVs at CES ’10 with similar social-networking functions. Vizio might get lost in the crowd.

Vizio’s Q3 sales accounted for only 15.7% of the US’s total, while Samsung managed to move 16.8%. iSuppli credited Samsung’s LED backlighting push for the higher sales. LED backlight means thinner TVs. The rest of the manufacturers, LG, Toshiba, and Sony only managed a 8.1%, 7.8%, and 7.8% respective market share.

But here’s the thing, only LG saw its numbers actually increase from the second quarter of 2009. Everyone else, including the top dogs, watched less TVs ship out. Of course that shouldn’t be a problem for the fourth quarter of the year as people pick up TV sets as household holiday gifts.

Plus the screens have a USB port and SD card slot for photo viewing along with light sensors to automagicly adjust the brightness. Interested? The 19-inch VM190XVT and 23-inch VM230XVT carry MSRPs of $349 and $399, respectively. [via crave]

Uh oh, another vaguely political post on CrunchGear. As you already know, the Consumer Electronics Association, the trade group that organizes CES, is fighting tooth and nail against possible regulations that would see California essentially ban the sale of power-hungry HDTVs. This mostly affects plasmas because they consume the most electricity of the different types of TVs out there.

The California Energy Commission, the body responsible for the investigation, says certain types of TVs ought not to be sold because they consume just too much electricity. As a matter of fact, TVs account for 10 percent of all energy consumption in the state. Mandate that manufacturers get their act together, and create TVs that don’t require crazy amounts of electricity to run, and everyone wins: consumers pay less for their monthly electricity bill (consumers would save, on average, $30 in the first year by switching to more energy efficient TVs), the green crowd gets to feel like it’s saving the planet, California doesn’t have to spend money generating all that electricity, etc.

Well, one group may not benefit: the manufacturers themselves. Some of them are complaining that having THE GOVERNMENT mandate how efficient their TVs need to be will stifle innovation, raise prices (because they’ll have to change their manufacturing methods or whatever), etc. (I say, if not the government, then who, the “market”? Ha! Markets work when everyone has access to perfect information, among other things, otherwise things can get out of hand. See: this past year on Planet Earth.)

The Commission disputes the idea that changing energy standards will necessarily raise prices for consumers.

You should note that Vizio, the little company that came out of nowhere, has no problem with the new regulations, should they pass. Easy for it to say, seeing as though it makes only LCDs, which aren’t very power hungry.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a done deal yet. You’re not going to walk into Best Buy tomorrow and find that all the plasmas are gone. Should it even pass then I imagine it’ll take some time before it actually affects your buying ability.

Vizio just took the wraps off of its hot Internet-connected HDTVs the other day, but the company has a new Blu-ray player coming soon too. The $188 MSRP will probably get price cuts and sales to bring it down to a more “Walmart” level seeing as Blu-ray players have breached the $100 mark. But even around the starting price, this player might not disappoint.

The Vizio VBR100 is coming to market as a Profile 2.0, BD-Live player. That means it will sport an Ethernet jack for easy updates and can display all the interactive goodies that BD-Live brings. Plus, users can plug in USB flash drives to add additional content. We wish we had more deets on this spec, but expect a music player and photo viewer – DIVX playback is a possibility too. Expect the player to also the standard assortment of A/V jacks including HDMI, component, and digital audio out.

There is no reason why the player will stay at $188 for very long. The VBR100 should hit shelves just before the pre-holiday blitz, with a second, similar model launching right before Christmas.

Something tells us that we could be seeing one of Walmart’s Black Friday items: a $99 Blu-ray player. No, no, a $79 Blu-ray player. That’s more like it.

Widgets and gadgets are the latest trend to hit HDTVs. Vizio is upping the game by equipping its soon-to-be-released HDTVs with an impressive suite of Internet applications and video streaming sites. So much so, that this portfolio will place them on top of many people’s wish list as these TVs will be better equipped than a TiVo or even Windows Media Server.

Forget about Vizio being a mid-tier, Walmart brand. These features might make some people question why they pay a monthly fee for a TiVo. Owners will be able to stream content from Revision3, Showtime and Pandora for free, while also able to subscribe to Vudu, Netflix, Blockbuster OnDemand, Amazon Video On Demand and Rhapsody. Plus, the sets are able to work with Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and the Yahoo Widgets Engine.

All this content should be easily controlled and managed with a Bluetooth remote that features a slide-down QWERTY keyboard. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing this feature finally becoming available. Hopefully similar remotes will soon be available from TiVo and Moxi as there is nothing more annoying than typing via an on-screen keyboard.

The HDTVs connect to the local network via either 802.11n or wired networking. There is no word on DLNA support, but we wouldn’t be surprised if that finds its way into spec list.

Expect the new XVT series to be available next month and start at $749 for a 32-inch. The series continues up in price as LED-backing and 240Hz options are added. The top of the line VF551XVT has both options as well as five HDMI ports for $2,199 and will be available this September.

We’re just hoping that the picture matches the impressive feature list…

The new high-end line, the XVT series, packs in LED backlighting (VIZIO calls it TruLED), along with 240Hz processing, and are available in 32- to 55-inch sizes. The M series packs 120Hz technology into a 1080p panel. Plus, this series is available in the color Java. Brown is the new black, btw.

The E series looses the high-end features but uses 20% less than the Energy Star 3.0 standard calls for. We’re just thinking though that this series boosts the treehugging features so that folks buying the least expensive model can justify their cheapness.

IRVINE, CA UNITED STATES

- Number One shipper of Flat Panel HDTVs in USA unveils wide range of high-performance, high-value televisions

- Flagship Extreme VIZIO Technology, XVT(TM) Series advances television’s state of the art with NEW TruLED(TM) and 240Hz SPS(TM) (scenes per second), and Thin Line(TM) 120Hz models. (New XVT Models are in 55 – 32-inch screen sizes)

- JAVA(TM) designer collection within the NEW ‘M’ Series combines high style with Full HD 1080P resolution and 120Hz with Smooth Motion(TM) LCD HDTVs (New M Series Models are in 47 – 32-inch screen sizes)

- ‘E’ Series provide energy efficient EcoHD(TM) (20% below Energy Star 3.0), essential performance and exceptional value in small to mid screen sizes (New E Series Models are in 42 – 19-inch sizes)

- All models are energy efficient, meeting and exceeding Energy Star 3.0 requirements

IRVINE, Calif., June 8 /PRNewswire/ — VIZIO, America’s #1 HDTV and Consumer Electronics Company, has unveiled its 2009 TV product lineup, with 31 new models in three product groups. With a comprehensive range that includes cutting-edge Smart Dimming(TM) backlight TruLED(TM) LCD technology, high-style/high performance products, and the best everyday value HDTVs, VIZIO’s products are energy efficient, with each earning and exceeding Energy Star 3.0 qualification. Product releases are scheduled throughout the year, with numerous products now in-store and due to hit shelves soon.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090608/LA28810)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090204/LA66605LOGO)

“VIZIO’s 2009 line of LCD HDTVs advances our mission to deliver the most advanced video and audio technologies to our customers with unequalled value and style,” says Laynie Newsome, VIZIO Co-Founder and VP Sales and Marketing Communications. “Our customers have come to expect superior performance and design from VIZIO, and this new line has unprecedented value in every screen size.”

Superior Performance Video & Audio

This year’s Extreme VIZIO Technology XVT(TM) series again advances VIZIO performance with a Full HD 1080p lineup featuring both 120Hz with Thin Line(TM) stylish designs and 240Hz SPS models using Smooth Motion(TM) technology, with the most sophisticated models incorporating TruLED and Smart Dimming(TM) backlight technology. In all models, VIZIO has integrated USB video inputs that are enhanced and offer high quality 1080p video playback, along with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio(TM) of up to 2,000,000:1 makes for incredible black levels and almost three-dimensional imagery, they also include advanced user interface control with picture in picture and picture on picture functionality. VIZIO XVT models all include a universal learning backlit remote control.

All models have superior audio, thanks to SRS Labs Technology with TruSurround HD(TM), which enhances clarity and produces surround sound without external speakers, and TruVolume(TM), which eliminates annoying volume fluctuations when switching channels or when commercials come on and off.

New “XVT” Series Models and Features

Model Description
SV320XVT – Thin Line 32″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
SV370XVT – Thin Line 37″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
SV421XVT 42″ 1080p 240Hz SPS Full HD LCD HDTV
SV471XVT 47″ 1080p 240Hz SPS Full HD LCD HDTV
VF550XVT 55″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
VF551XVT 55″ 1080p 240Hz SPS w/Smart Dimming Backlight TruLED

HDMI
Inputs Audio In-store MSRP
3 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume September $749.99
3 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume September $849.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume July $1,199.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume July $1,499.99
5 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume Now $1,999.99
5 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume September $2,199.99

Full HD in New Colors and Styles

VIZIO’s designer lines combine 1080p Full HD performance with distinctive looking designs such as the VL series brushed JAVA(TM) color treatment, and VT series TVs that resemble luxurious wood picture frames to bring a stylish touch to consumers’ viewing environments. Select models feature a 120Hz refresh rate with Smooth Motion technology, as well as VIZIO’s new USB Multi-Media Feature that can display MPEG-2, H.264 and WMV9 video, JPEG photos, and MP3 music from a thumb drive or FAT32 hard drive. Many models have VIZIO’s new “Pause Live TV” feature, which allows viewers to pause their programs without the need for a separate cable or satellite box. VIZIO’s Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio(TM) of up to 50,000:1 increases contrast ratio and picture quality, providing incredibly deep blacks. Each model also has multiple HDMI inputs and many include a side panel HDMI Game or Camera Input Port.

New “M” Series Models and Features

Model Description
VA22LF 22″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VX240M 24″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VL260M with JAVA Stylish Finish 26″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VL320M with JAVA Stylish Finish 32″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VA320M 32″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VOJ320F 32″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VO37LF 37″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VO370M 37″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VL370M with JAVA Stylish Finish 37″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VL420M with JAVA Stylish Finish 42″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VA370M 37″ 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV
VT420M with JAVA Stylish Finish 42″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
VT470M with JAVA Stylish Finish 47″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
SV420M 42″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
SV470M 47″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
VL470M with JAVA Stylish Finish 47″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV
VF550M 55″ 1080p 120Hz Full HD LCD HDTV

HDMI
Inputs Audio In-store MSRP
2 SRS TruSurround XT Now $349.99
2 SRS TruSurround HD July $349.99
2 SRS TruSurround HD June $479.99
3 SRS TruSurround HD June $649.99
4 SRS TruSurround XT June $649.99
2 SRS TruSurround XT Now $599.99
3 SRS TruSurround XT Now $729.99
3 SRS TruSurround XT Now $799.99
3 SRS TruSurround HD July $799.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD July $899.99
3 SRS TruSurround XT September $799.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume July $999.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume July $1,299.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume June $999.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume Now $1,299.99
4 SRS TruSurround HD July $1,299.99
5 SRS TruSurround HD & TruVolume July $1,799.99
HDTV Value in Every Size

With screen sizes ranging from 19″ to 32″, VIZIO’s “E” series HDTVs provide incredible value in small to midsized packages with stylish white or black piano colored bezels. Many of these sets offer Full HD 1080p performance, and all utilize SRS Labs’ TruSurround technology to provide superior audio. Some models feature VIZIO’s EcoHD(TM) technology, which lowers energy consumption as much as 20% below Energy Star 3.0 standards.

New “E” Series Models and Features

HDMI
Model Description Inputs Audio In-store MSRP
VA19L 19″ 720p LCD HDTV 2 SRS TruSurround XT Now $249.99
VX200E 20″ 720p LCD HDTV 2 SRS TruSurround HD July $299.99
VA220E 22″ 720p LCD HDTV 2 SRS TruSurround XT Now $399.99
VA26L 26″ 720p LCD HDTV 2 SRS TruSurround XT Now $449.99
VECO320L 32″ 720p LCD HDTV 2 SRS TruSurround XT Now $499.99
VA320E 32″ 720p LCD HDTV 3 SRS TruSurround HD Now $499.99
VO320E 32″ 720p LCD HDTV 2 SRS TruSurround HD Now $499.99
VO420E 42″ 1080p Full HD LCD 3 SRS TruSurround HD Now $849.99
About VIZIO

VIZIO, Inc., “Where Vision Meets Value,” headquartered in Irvine, California, is America’s HDTV Company and Consumer Electronics Company. In 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 selling brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and became the first American brand in over a decade to lead major categories in U.S. TV sales. Since 2007 VIZIO HDTV shipments remain in the TOP ranks in the U.S. and are again #1 in Q1, 2009 with over 20% market share. VIZIO is committed to bringing feature-rich flat panel televisions to market at a value through practical innovation. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning Plasma and LCD HDTVs including the new XVT series. VIZIO’s products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club, Sears, Walmart, Target, BJ’s Wholesale, and other retailers nationwide along with authorized online partners. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics, Good Housekeeping’s Best Big-Screens, CNET’s Top 10 Holiday Gifts and PC World’s Best Buy among others. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit on the web at www.VIZIO.com.

The V, VIZIO, XVT, TruLED, 240Hz SPS, Thin Line, Smooth Motion, JAVA, Where Vision Meets Value names, phrase and symbols are trademarks or registered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc. All other trademarks may be the property of their respective holders.