Vizio and Dolby Laboratories formally revealed availability and pricing Tuesday on a pair of long-promised advanced 4K Ultra HDTVs equipped to accept and display metadata for Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR). And the VIZIO reference series has better pixels in the form of extended color gamut and higher contrast (a greater difference between blackest black and brightest white). This high-end, 120-inch monster called the “Reference Series” is now available at price equivalent to that of a BMW or nearly six Camrys. The series will include a 65-inch class model (RS65-B2) at an MSRP of $5,999.99 and a 120-inch class model (RS120-B3) at $129,999.99. This massive 4K TV that is the Reference Series can be ordered on Vizio’s official website.
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The Reference Series features Ultra Color Spectrum technology for a wider color gamut, with a quantum dot panel in the 65-inch class model. The TVs will play back about a dozen Dolby Vision-encoded Warner Bros. titles that will be available through the TVs’ Vudu streaming app in time for the TVs’ shipment, Dolby VP Roland Vlaicu told TWICE. Additional titles in Dolby Vision include San Andreas, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Magic Mike XXL.
Both models feature an 800-nit full-array LED backlight and 384 active LED zones, meaning colors stay true to what they should look like. Panel brightness is 800 nits and the Reference series TVs have a quad-core GPU and dual-core CPU for upscaling, handling apps, and powering the TV up. And before you can say, “but what about content?”, that’s available now too, with more on the way. And the upcoming Ultra HD Blu-ray format also includes support for Dolby Vision as an option.
Netflix has also committed to remastering content in Dolby Vision and is expected to deliver season one of its adventure drama Marco Polo as its first Dolby Vision release via the Netflix app soon. Home Entertainment titles in 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision including The Lego Movie, Man of Steel, and Edge of Tomorrow. Orders will be followed up directly by a local custom installer who is qualified to do the TV’s white glove delivery and installation.
Watching a variety of Dolby Vision content on the two sets, and comparing this to regular 4K UHD sets without Dolby Vision, the Reference Series images had more vivid, more vibrant colors and just seemed more true-to-life than the competition. In addition to the increased video quality, Vizio’s new 65-inch set has built-in Wi-Fi and built-in speakers accompanied by two rear satellite speakers and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer. Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this site.
1The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, sound bar units sold in the USA, January 2014-December 2014.
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