If VIZIO's brand new XVT Series is a bit rich for your blood, how's about a pair of plasmas for under eight bones? Yep, the 32-inch VP322 and 42-inch VP422 -- which were announced at CES at $689 and $999, respectively -- are now available in Wal-Mart locations across America, and they're selling for even less than that. Right now, those longing to hop in the HDTV game without breaking the bank can secure the VP322 for just $599, while the VP422 will set you back just $799. Both sets possess a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 720p panel, 3 HDMI sockets (along with component / VGA) and a built-in ATSC digital tuner with ClearQAM support. Not too shabby for the price, wouldn't you agree? [Warning: PDF read link]

Well, what have we here? A trio of newcomers from "North America's fastest growing brand of flat-panel HDTVs," that's what. Kicking things off in the all new XVT Series is the 42-inch SV420XVT and 47-inch SV47XVT LCD HDTVs, both of which feature 1080p panels, VIZIO's Smooth Motion technology (120Hz), a 6,500:1 contrast ratio and the usual complement of ports including four HDMI 1.3 sockets. Next up we've got the 50-inch VP505XVT, a 1080p plasma with Silicon Optix's famed REON HQV processing engine. Furthermore, this one packs an integrated digital TV tuner (with ClearQAM support), a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and SRS Labs' TruSurround XT audio processing technology. The new trio is all set to ship next month for $1,499.99, $1,899.99 and $1,699.99, and of course, you'll find 'em perched at Circuit City, Sears and your favorite Club retailer. [Warning: PDF read link]

Turns out that not everybody is lawyer-angry with Vizio right now. The company has entered a partnership with SRS Labs that will give it access to SRS's portfolio of audio technologies. Fruits of the partnership will start showing up in Q2 of 2008, when Vizio starts making SRS TruSurround XT available in three models: a 42- and 46-inch LCD, and a 50-inch plasma. Not exactly new, TruSurround XT is all about virtual surround sound; that audio we sometimes find phasey and unnatural to the point where it decreases our involvement with the content. But Vizio and SRS have data to back up their strategy: a Consumer Electronics Association poll showed that 76-percent of all flat panels are used without any external audio. We're used to being a minority opinion, but we don't understand the widespread fear over multiple discrete speakers in the room, especially with the rash of stylish HTIB systems now available. If you're in that 76-percent crowd, we suppose virtual surround is better than mono; but you're missing out.

Just an update on that Vizio vs. the world tiff, one of the major shareholders of the company and major manufacturer for the brand, Taiwan-based Amtran, chimes in that it already paid royalties for the disputed MPEG-2 patents between the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008. It's important to note that the company apparently had not seen the details of the lawsuit yet and couldn't give details, but we'll see how this affects things between the cheap HDTV manufacturer and MPEG LA.

It's no secret the rest of the display industry hasn't been happy with Vizio shaking up the low end with its cheap HDTVs, and now Mitsubishi and others have joined in a lawsuit accusing the manufacturer of refusing to license necessary patents. The 15 patents allegedly violated are for MPEG-2 compression that Mitsu, Sony, Samsung, Philips, Thomson, JVC and Columbia University of New York claim Vizio refuses to license. Vizio says it don't need no stinking licenses, since its suppliers already have them and it believes these licenses extend to its products. MPEG-LA also filed a similar suit against Target's TruTech house brand of televisions; while we'll have to wait for a ruling on the case to see who is right, it seems if they can't compete with these lower prices, other manufacturers will make sure cheap HDTVs cost more to make. For its part, Vizio says it does not believe this suit will have a materially adverse impact on its business, so for now, let the low-price flat screens roll.

Read - Mitsubishi, Samsung Sue Vizio Over Video Patents
Read - VIZIO Comments on MPEG-2 Lawsuit By Electronics Competitors

If you've been considering buying yourself a budget LCD HDTV, chances are Vizio and Olevia are still on your radar. Thankfully, LCD TV Buying Guide has taken the time to pit the two against one another in order to give you the information you need to choose the best of the pair. In the test, the 46-inch Vizio VW46L and 42-inch Olevia 242T FHD were used, and all of the important issues -- you know, image quality, shadow detail, color accuracy, motion lag, etc. -- were all covered. We don't plan on ruining it for you, so you'll have to exert a bit of effort and check out the read link below if you're interested in finding out which set came out on top.

Although we just heard that LG was scouting a few new partners in crime to tackle the always unpredictable plasma market, it seems as if the company is also seeking alliances with LCD makers. Reportedly, LG Display affirmed that it was looking to hook up with "other firms, such as Taiwan's Amtran [maker of Vizio LCD TVs]." Apparently investors were none too pleased about the suggestion, as shares of the stock fell amid concerns of linking up with what's commonly known as a bargain brand. Still, the firm is expected to enjoy "record earnings this year thanks to "a booming flat-screen TV market and tight panel supplies," and that little Olympics shindig probably isn't hurting things, either.

Merely three quarters after Vizio sets began showing up on Wal-Mart floors, the perennial low-cost HDTV leader has taken home Wally World's Electronics Supplier of the Year award. The self-proclaimed "fastest growing brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America" has a half dozen models on Wal-Mart shelves right now, and aside from continually delivering as promised, it probably didn't hurt to have its products "among the top selling flat-panels" at the retailer. Kudos Vizio -- just keep watchin' your back, okay?

Budget shoppers flocked to Wal-mart this past year to pick up Vizio sets, helping them to become the top-seller of LCDs in the US. Vizio is expanding the VW series to include 19- and 22-inch compact models, as well as upgrading the 42- and 46-inch models with 1080p. The 19-inch VW19L and 22-inch VW22L will launch in May and July for $399.99 and $449.99, and are intended for gaming and computing. The top end is bolstered with the 42-inch VW42LF, retailing for $1,349 starting in May, and the 46-inch VW46LF, priced at $1,749 with a launch date in June. The two 1080p sets offer many of the same features found in Vizio's other series, such as three HDMI 1.3 ports, ATSC and QAM tuners, 178-degree viewing angles, and a detachable base.

See there? We told you Vizio wasn't quite finished. Up next from "America's fastest growing flat-panel HDTV company" comes two new members in the family of Envys: the 32-inch VU32L ($699) and the 37-inch VU37L ($899). Both sets get 720p resolutions, a side access HD Game Port with HDMI and ship dates that have yet to be set in stone. Also of note, the entire lineup rocks a detachable base to accommodate on-wall mounting along with built-in stereo speakers (10-watts per channel), and if you're digging the look but craving a touch more, you can slide your eyes over to the already released VU42LF.

Trust us, these certainly aren't the only new LCDs that Vizio is doling out today, but you've got to start somewhere, right? The firm's new Black Tie family consists of the 42-inch SV42LF and the 47-inch SV47LF, both of which rock that 1080p goodness, 120Hz processing, 6,500:1 contrast ratio, four HDMI 1.3 inputs, an integrated NTSC / ATSC / Clear-QAM TV tuner, on-board Dolby 3.0 processing, Motion Estimation Motion Compensation (MEMC) and a side access "HD Game Port" with an HDMI input. These units also feature slimmer bezels than those found on Vizio's past sets, and should be available this July for $1,499 and $1,899, respectively.

Vizio's on quite the rampage today as CES gets going, and it's kicking things off with a new line of plasmas. The new VP series includes the 32-inch VP322 ($689), 42-inch VP422 ($999) / VP423 ($999), 50-inch VP503 ($1,399) / VP504F ($1,699) and the flagship 60-inch VP605F ($2,899). The latter two are Vizio's pride and joy of this bunch, as they both sport Silicon Optix HQV processing, 1080p resolution, an integrated ATSC / Clear-QAM tuner, 30,000:1 contrast ratio and four HDMI 1.3 inputs. The firm is also throwing out a pair of new "all-in-one" solutions (the VP500 / VP501) which include 50-inch sets along with 5.1 surround sound systems. For more details on the whole lot, be sure and give the read link some attention.

If you've got a Vizio slim bezel "Black Tie" LCD, and are looking to surround yourself in sound, the company has a treat for you. The company is rolling out its Jive SV5.1 Enhancement Kit. This bit of kit adds the all-important center channel, rear channels and a (2.4 GHz) wireless sub to your LCD's existing front channel so you can brag up your 5.1 surround system. That sub unit packs a 70-Watt RMS, 560-Watt peak amp in it for the Jive speakers. Vizio didn't break your checkbook with that LCD, and they won't with this surround system, either: expect a price around $299 when the system ships in July.

Ew. That Goatse-inspired pic with a "peek at perfection" tag-line are just a few of the startling things netizens will notice in that picture above. The other being the fact that Vizio hasn't announced the VO47L FHDTV yet. Or VW46L FHDTV for that matter (pictured after the break). The 47-inch 1080p VO47L LCD features a 2,000:1 contrast, 178-degree viewing angle, and a healthy spread of 4x HDMI inputs. The VW46L scales it back to 46-inches and 3x HDMI. No pricing yet, but you can expect them to bend over and pop on the budget side of your big box's offerings. Now let's see if Vizio gets their marketing department in check or at least, edu-macated, about the dark-side of the intertubes before these sets get official.

[Thanks, Dan]

Read -- VO47L
Read -- VW46L

Just when we were ready to give the North American LCD throne back to Samsung and Sharp, iSuppli has released its numbers, claiming Vizio is still on top. In contrast with the previous rankings from DisplaySearch, iSuppli saw Samsung improve its marketshare in the third quarter to 12.8 percent, but still unable to match Vizio's mark of 13 percent. Along with the new numbers is information that the other manufacturers have taken note of Vizio's success and increased their promotions, the tight competition should promise many choices and better prices as we get into the all-important holiday season.

[Via TG Daily]