Vizio Pushes 1080p with XVT Series

The latest TVs out of the Californian manufacturer all sport 1080p resolution, slick designs, and bountiful extras like SRS Labs' TruSurround XT audio processing, without huge price tags.

Normally a low flier in the display world, California-based Vizio eeked out a trio of new 1080p flat-panel displays on Wednesday that boast specs very close to their more notable competitors, but with budget prices. The new XVT series features 42- and 47-inch LCD panels along with a 50-inch plasma, all with prices well short of $2,000.

The SV470XVT and SV420XVT LCDs (47 and 42 inches, respectively) both feature a quicker 120Hz refresh rate intended to reduce the motion blur that afflicts ordinary 60Hz sets. They’ve also been equipped with SRS Labs’ TruSurround XT audio processing, which make it possible to use the TV’s built-in speakers as part of a surround set up when coupled with the rear channels and subwoofer in Vizio’s SV5.1 upgrade kit. Both reach contrast ratios of 6,500:1.

The VP505XVT claims the title of biggest set of the XVT series, at 50 inches, and is the sole plasma. Stepping up image quality from the LCD sets, the VP505XVT boasts a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, but also manages to run alongside LCDs with an extended panel life of 60,000 to 100,000 hours. Besides a slightly different design that includes brandywine speaker grills, the set has many other features in common with its LCD siblings, including the same surround treatment from SRS Labs, the same aluminum trimmed remote, and side-access HDMI ports for connecting game systems.

When they debut in July, the SV470XVT and SV420XVT LCDs will sell for $1,899.99 and $1,499.99 respectively, while the VP505XVT will go for $1,699.99.