Sony has resolved a dispute with Vizio over the latter company's patents involving technology used in LCD televisions. Rather than fight the battle in court, Sony decided to become a licensee for rights to use the technology from Vizio's patent portfolio.
VIZIO today claimed a small first in HDTVs by launching two small LCDs with LED backlighting. The 19-inch VM190XVT and 23-inch VM230XVT are more color-accurate as a result of the new illumination and are also more energy efficient; they consume less power at peak but also have ambient light sensors to dim the display in dark environments. Each has a display that measures less than one inch at its thinnest point.
VIZIO this morning earned a reprieve from US Customs that cleared its current TV line of possible patent infringements that might have blocked their sale in the US. The government agency made the ruling four months after the US Patent and Trademark Office rejected a patent from Japanese company Funai, which had hoped to use the patent to block US-based VIZIO's sets from reaching stores. Funai is expected to appeal, though VIZIO equally expects to win.
VIZIO on Tuesday announced its VIA-badged TVs with access to Internet Apps will now have access to Real's Rhapsody music service. With the user interface, users can browse the near 8-million song library using VIZIO's Bluetooth universal remote control, which has a built-in QWERTY keyboard, while watching TV. Songs can be searched by title, artist or album and on-demand access to new releases and top albums is available.
VIZIO on Monday unveiled its full lineup of HDTVs that will be available this year. The company has expanded its flagship XVT series with several new models, including the 32-inch SV320XVT and 37-inch SV370XVT. Each features 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rates and Thin Line designs. Upcoming XVT models in larger sizes include the 42-inch SV421XVT and 47-inch SV471XVT, with 1080p resolution at 240Hz and Smooth Motion technology. The XVT models integrate USB video inputs and dynamic contrast ratios up to 2,000,000:1.
the second time this year, flat panel HDTV maker Vizio has sued competitor Funai. Made official on Wednesday, the Vizio lawsuit is seeking an injunction of the sales of the offending Funai hardware in the US and unspecified monetary damages, arguing Funai has infringed on a number of patents held by Vizio related to manufacturing, importing and distribution of HDTVs. Vizio is seeking "millions in damages" for profits from the past sales of infringing products from Funai.
VIZIO today said that it would phase out plasma TVs entirely. Speaking to the New York Times, company executive Laynie Newsome justifies the move by noting that LCDs sell much more quickly than plasma. The difference is attributed to the perceived quality in-store: although plasmas often have deeper blacks, the brighter store lights tend to favor the lower-contrast LCD sets. In exchange, VIZIO plans to improve the features of the LCDs themselves, which lately have gained the same 240Hz and LED backlights as on high-end rivals.
VIZIO today launched itself into the high-end TV sphere in earnest with a CES lineup that includes features still rare among higher-end brands. The 55-inch VF551XVT is the HDTV maker's first set to carry an LED backlight and uses the technology's local dimming to produce an effective 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, giving it deeper blacks closer to better plasma TVs. It also uses a 120Hz panel that maintains detail in fast movement and has five HDMI ports. VIZIO expects a release during the summer for $2,000.
VIZIO on Wednesday announced it is lowering prices on five of its HDTVs in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The 42-inch VS420 LCD offers 1080p resolution will cost just $698 at Sam's Club stores throughout the US starting on Friday. Some prices are in effect for the holiday weekend only, while others are extended until December, with the VS420 expected to sell out quickly as it has no end-of-sale date specified. A 37-inch LCD model with 720p HD resolution, the VW37, will be priced at $500 at Costco for the duration of the weekend.
VIZIO in a pre-Thanksgiving move today upgraded its XVT sets to include a new 55-inch flagship model. The 1080p LCD set still has the 120Hz panel to compensate for motion blur and boosts the dynamic contrast ratio to 50,000:1, putting the budget set closer to those from more expensive labels. It also carries an unusually extensive five HDMI inputs and a signature Game Port layout that puts both video and sound inputs for consoles next to each other to avoid spreading cables across the back of the set.
Reseller of consolidated patent license portfolios MPEG LA on Monday announced flat panel HDTV maker VIZIO has entered into an MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License with the company. As a direct result of the new agreement, a few other clients of MPEG LA with essential MPEG-2 patents have dropped their lawsuits against VIZIO. Filed in the summer of 2008 in New York, the lawsuits allege VIZIO failed to enter into a licensing agreement for MPEG-2 video compression technology necessary for its HDTVs.
VIZIO announced on Monday it has shipped its VO-series 1080p HDTVs, including the newly styled 32-inch VOJ320F and 37-inch VOJ370F as well as the 32-inch VO32LF-32 and 37-inch VO37LF-37 with more traditional styling. The VOJ models are the first in VIZIO's line-up to feature the Java-colored bezel accents and redesigned stand and cabinet. All sets share the same 6,500:1 contrast ratio, 6.5ms refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness, coupled to 178-degree vertical viewing angles. The VOJ models add picture-in-picture (PIP) and picture-outside-picture (POP) viewing options.
A Monday report has LG Display and Amtran – maker of Vizio LCDs – agreeing to set up a joint production plant to manufacture LCD panels and TV sets for their brands in China. Under the agreement, Amtran's existing facility in Suzhou, China, will see a $20 million initial investment. The new plant, due to commence operation early next year, will produce 3 million LCD modules along with 5 million LCD TV sets.
Overall TV shipments in North America after the second quarter, at over 9.3 million, represent a 28 percent increase from the same time period in 2007, according to a new DisplaySearch report. The report breaks down the number further by the type of TV technology, including flat-screen tube, LCD and Plasma, as well as by individual brands.
VIZIO today provided early details of three new display lines, including the company's first true hybrid display. Known so far as the VMM Monitor, the 26-inch LCD will have dual HDMI inputs but also DVI and VGA as well as RCA audio inputs for built-in 3W speakers. The TV maker promises a more desktop-capable design with a relatively thin bezel, a glass front panel, and the option of tilting or swiveling the image. VIZIO expects the VMM to appear in August for $450, or less than many stand-alone HDTVs at the same size.
Low-cost flat panel HDTV maker VIZIO recently said it will enter the home audio market with its simulated surround sound system comprised of a slim speaker and a wireless subwoofer. Earlier this year, the company's only other attempt to make a sound system came in the form of the wireless speaker Jive SV5.1 upgrade kit for its Black Tie- and XVT-series of HDTVs.
VIZIO used an atypical Wednesday schedule to launch a major change in its HDTV lineup. The XVT series in 42-inch (SV420XVT) and 47-inch (SV470XVT) models is the budget TV maker's first line to use 120Hz LCD panels and gives even relatively cost-conscious users relatively artifact-free fast movement. Both are also comparatively sharp and vivid for economy HDTVs with a native 1080p resolution and a 6,500:1 contrast ratio.
Philips today revealed that it will stop its direct development HDTVs for North America. The Dutch firm now says it will outsource all of the work for both these sets and Magnavox models to Japan-based Funai. The company will handle both manufacturing sets as well as marketing them in the two western countries. The move is cited as necessary to turn around Philips' loss-taking HDTV business, which is successful in Asia and Europe but has struggled in the more competitive North American space through tight profit margins.
Vizio recently unveiled its Black Tie LCD TV line and an accompanying home theatre system, as well as seven new plasma HDTVs. The Black Tie lineup consists of the 42-inch SV42LF, and 47-inch SV47LF; the two models are defined by a 1080p screen resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Vizio’s Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation technology can upscale any video framerate to 120 frames-per-second to match the TV’s refresh rate. Four HDMI ports are available for use, with two located on the side for quick connection of HD game consoles or video cameras. The Black Tie series of LCD TVs will be available in July, the 42-inch model selling for $1500, and the 47-inch for $1900.
Samsung, said to be the world's biggest producer of large-sized LCD panels, is launching a countersuit against major rival Sharp, Reuters reports. Sharp filed its initial case against Samsung in August, with a second suit coming earlier this month, through a court in Seoul, South Korea; the company is accusing Samsung of multiple patent infringements, though these have not been specified.
Samsung's motion is a direct retaliation, also alleging patent infringement in two different suits filed through courts in Delaware and Tokyo. It is moreover requesting an investigation by the US International Trade Commission, a procedure which could mire Sharp in yet deeper legal work.
