Vizio E series (2016) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Vizio

For years I’ve been asking for a dumb TV. Vizio’s 2016 E series is one step closer to the dumb dream.

One of the company’s mainstream models for 2016, the E series follows Vizio’s new smart TV design edict: Get rid of the onscreen smart TV menu system entirely, and replace it with Google Cast, the popular streaming platform exemplified by devices like the $35 Chromecast. Vizio is calling it SmartCast.

If you want to watch Netflix on the E series, you’ll have to use the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and “Cast” to the TV. The same goes for any other streaming app — except the handful that aren’t supported by Cast, notably Amazon (which was available on previous Vizio TVs). Don’t have a phone or tablet handy in the living room all the time? Then either use a device like a Roku or Apple TV, or buy a different TV.

That’s because, unlike the step-up P series and M series, the E doesn’t include a free tablet remote, so you’ll have to use your own device for SmartCasting. These TVs also depend on Vizio’s SmartCast app (free for Android and iOS) for settings and other controls. I’m assuming the E comes with the simplified remote found on the P series, but Vizio hasn’t confirmed as much yet.

Pricing, size and availability information have not been announced, and Vizio has declined to give us any yet. Here’s what we know.

Vizio E series features

• Full-array local dimming with 12 zones
• 4K resolution
• Google Cast compatible

Local dimming should enable the E series to match the very good image quality of its predecessor, one of our favorite TVs from 2015. Of course I don’t expect it to be as good as the M or P series, which have more zones and other image quality perks like HDR, but in past years the E has outperformed many budget and mainstream-priced LCD TVs that lack dimming entirely.

Other details revealed on the web site include dual-band 082.11ac Wi-Fi, an HDMI cable in the box and a new design with a “textured bezel.” Like the other SmartCast TVs, the E series lacks a built-in tuner, so if you want to watch local broadcasts via antenna (as opposed to cable, satellite or streaming) you’ll need to buy a third-party tuner.

Here’s how Vizio’s 2016 TVs stack up.

VIZIO’S 2016 4K TV LINEUP

We’ve asked Vizio for more details and we’ll update this article when we get them.