VIZIO 3D HDTV with Internet Apps, News and Review

VIZIO 3D HDTV with Internet Apps Is HERE NOW! This is a natural step for VIZIO, the leading producer of high quality affordable HDTVs.

Not too long ago VIZIO introduced its innovative Class 2XVT LCD with Internet Apps in three screen sizes -- 42, 47 and 55 inch. Next, it updated these models as the XVT3SV series with added appearance and technology improvements.

The next step in this natural progression was VIZIO 3D with active shutter glasses. The same screen sizes -- 42, 47 and 55 inch -- and the popular Internet Apps are included in the new XVT3D series.

In January 2011 VIZIO announced yet another step in this progression -- Theater 3D with passive polarized glasses. By March 2011, VIZIO found that customers prefer these passive polarized glasses for their 3D -- they are cheaper, lighter, no batteries, less complex and work very well. (See below.)

VIZIO's 3D HDTVs are here now. Should you buy one of these early models? What should you consider before buying 3D? Should you wait and watch as 3D converges on a best technology and as more 3D content becomes available?

What about glasses? Will you be comfortable wearing 3D glasses? What about price? As usual VIZIO aims to keep its prices highly competitive.

For a couple hundred dollars more than you would pay for a similar-sized, highly-rated VIZIO XVT 3SV model with Internet Apps, you can get Internet Apps plus 3D.

If you are ready for Internet connected HDTV but are unsure that now is the time to jump into 3D, consider the proven and popular VIZIO XVT without the 3D but with Internet Apps.

Amazon has become a leading seller of HDTVs, usually at a discount from list price.

They have prepared an excellent primer on 3D technology called "3D 101." It includes a series of short videos.

In January 2011 VIZIO revealed a new Theater 3D HDTV lineup. Every VIZIO XVT HDTV, and some other models as well, will support passive polarized 3D technology -- just like the 3D in many movie theaters. The glasses are less expensive than the active-shutter glasses highlighted later in this hub. Polarized glasses are lighter, and more comfortable for the viewer. They are also said to cause less eyestrain, produce less flicker, and offer a brighter image.

According to VIZIO, they will use a "circular polarized filter" where the "burden of 3D processing is built into the TV allowing Theater 3D eyewear to be free of the batteries and shutter mechanisms..."

Up to four pair of glasses will be included with the HDTV, depending on the model. Two of the four glasses are designed to accommodate prescription glasses.

2011 VIZIO Theater 3D HDTVs will support a wide selection of 3D formats for compatibility with Blu-ray, broadcast, cable, satellite, and gaming. According to VIZIO, this includes "Frame Packing, Side-by-Side, Top and Bottom, plus SENSIO® HiFi 3D and the RealD Format."

The 2010 VIZIO XVT 3SV HDTVs with Internet Apps contain all the popular features of the earlier models XVT 2XVT with Internet Apps. The new models include added appearance and technology improvements.

. . . all models include: --

• blazing refresh rate (240 times a second).
• full 1080p High Definition razor sharp resolution with over 2 million pixels.
• 802.11n dual band wireless networking. Use this wireless feature or the Ethernet cable port to connect to Internet and VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA™).
• VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA™) with easy connection to the Internet and streaming movies, TV shows, music, the latest news, sports and weather. VIA comes with Amazon Video on Demand, Flickr, Netflix, Rhapsody, Twitter, VUDU and Yahoo TV Widgets pre-loaded on the TV, ready to launch onscreen at the touch of a button on the remote. Discover and download more apps from other content and service providers by browsing the gallery of apps that is dynamically updated right on your VIZIO HDTV.