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Vizio not so little anymore, takes No.1 spot for HDTV sales

February 22nd, 2010, 8:24 am by

It’s official: Vizio shipped more LCD HDTVs in the U.S. than any other TV company last year, according to iSuppli, a market research company that tracks TV sales. The Irvine HDTV company nearly doubled its sales, growing 92.1 percent last year from the prior year.

Vizio was  neck-and-neck with Samsung all year. During some quarters, Vizio led the game, in other quarters, it was Samsung, which heavily pushed the newer LED back-lit technology. But ultimately, Vizio took the lead, ending the year with 5.92 million HDTVs sold. Samsung sold 5.60 million.

Even without its much-anticipated Internet TV, Vizio dominated the Christmas season, selling about 135,000 more TVs then second-place Samsung. During the fourth quarter, Vizio sold 1.844 million LCD TVs, making Vizio the champ for 2009.

Interestingly, iSuppli’s research shows that Toshiba also had a stellar year, growing 81.7 percent from the prior year. The TV maker, which has its U.S. laptop and storage operations in Irvine, sold 2.394 million LCD TVs. The company also sells plasma TVs and other TV technologies.

HDTV company HDTVs sold 2009 (millions) Market share Growth
VIZIO 5.920 18.70% 92.10%
Samsung 5.608 17.70% 22.60%
Sony 3.681 11.60% -1.00%
Toshiba 2.394 7.60% 81.70%
LG Electronics 2.396 7.60% 8.90%
Total 31.622 100.00% 29.00%

Vizio has already made a splash in 2010 by announcing a 3D HDTV, expected in late summer, plus super skinny TVs, mobile TVs, TV headphones, Internet routers,  and other TV accessories (read earlier: “Vizio goes beyond TV with 6 new gadgets.”) It also signed Beyonce Knowles Carter as its latest celebrity spokesperson and invested in its second Super Bowl commercial.

iSuppli analyst Riddhi Patel said that Vizio took the lead because of increased brand recognition and, more importantly, “providing technology advancements at affordable prices,” Patel said.

But Samsung still was at the top in one case: The best selling LCD TV. Samsung’s 32-inch LN32B360, priced at $549, was the nation’s top selling TV during the fourth quarter, according to Quixel Research.

Recent stories about Vizio:

Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • | 24 Comments »

One-third inch? Ha! Vizio TV is even skinnier

January 11th, 2010, 1:29 pm by

Vizio Blade, a quarter-inch thick HDTV prototypeConsumer Electronics Show 2010 with The GadgetressBiggest, loudest, shiniest, skinniest! That’s what makes a fun Consumer Electronics Show. And in the skinniest TV category, looks like Irvine’s Vizio may be the winner.

While Samsung unveiled the LED 9000, a one-third-inch thick TV, Vizio was showing a sample of the Blade, so named for its quarter-inch thinness.

Apologies for the mediocre images. I saw this in Vizio’s dark exhibit suite and they wouldn’t allow flash.

vizblade14 vizbladeimg_7829 vizbladeimg_7827 Vizio Blade, a quarter-inch thick HDTV

The TV is a prototype, but it works. The Samsung model hides all the electronics inside the base of the TV. Vizio’s skinny prototype cheats a bit with a fatter back. The edge of the TV is pretty skinny though.

And of course, the Samsung model is supposed to be out this year.

Vizio was a nice surprise at Las Vegas. The company came out with a bunch of crazy new stuff that I wasn’t expecting since it’s better known as a firm that sells low-priced HDTVs. More to come.

For more CES 2010 coverage, visit the Gadgetress CES page at gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/ces2010.
Most recent headlines:

Posted in: Gadgets • Video & TV • • • • • • • | 11 Comments »

Vizio hires Beyoncé as new spokesperson

January 8th, 2010, 10:50 am by

Vizio has gone big time here at the Consumer Electronics Show with a prime spot in the convention center hallway for attendees to play with the company’s Internet TVs. The Irvine TV seller has banners everywhere. And now, just minutes ago, the company signed a 3-year deal to have singer Beyoncé Knowles – Carter endorse its products.

Can we all say Wow!

The 3-year agreement means the singer will be part of Vizio’s ad campaign, which could include a SuperBowl commercial. Previously, Vizio had San Diego Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson.

Beyoncé and Vizio may seem like a strange coupling but the company has really expanded its product line once again here at CES.  I just spotted some brand new wireless headphones that Vizio plans to start selling this year. The new line appeals to the fashion minded who want more than the basic black set. Pink, blue, quilted are the some of the models I saw at the company’s secret suite at the Wynn Hotel. More on this later.

As the new face of Vizio, Beyoncé will also “participate in the design and performance characteristics of new products,” the company said.

“Beyoncé is in an elite class of entertainers who are globally known and respected for their talent on stage and in front of the camera,” Laynie Newsome, Vizio’s cofounder and vice president of sales and marketing communications said in a press release. “We believe both VIZIO and Beyoncé are closely aligned as American success stories who have redefined the rules in our respective industries.”

As for Beyoncé’s statement: ”What I love about VIZIO is how committed they have been to customers and their focus on delivering tremendous performance at a great value … As a performer, I can relate to that, because my fans spend their hard-earned money to see me perform, and I give everything I can to make sure I exceed their expectations. I’m excited to be associated with such a successful company.”

More on Vizio’s CES announcements coming soon… Stay tuned.

Consumer Electronics Show 2010 with The GadgetressFor more CES 2010 coverage, visit the Gadgetress CES page at gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/ces2010.
Most recent headlines:

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Sharp’s twist on TVs: A new color

January 7th, 2010, 11:15 am by

Sharp's QuadPixel TVsIf you didn’t think your color TV was colorful enough, Sharp Electronics Corp. says you’re right. It was missing a major color: Yellow.

Pretty much every TV relies on three colors — red, green and blue, or RGB. Heard of that? These are the three colors in the color spectrum that reproduce a billion other colors on a TV. But by adding yellow to the mix, Sharp TVs can produce 1 trillion colors.

Whether you’ve been missing yellow or not, Sharp says that conventional LCD TVs have had trouble producing the hue, especially the golden yellow color of brass instruments.

Sharp's QuadPixel TVsSharp’s QuadPixel technology did help Sharp stand out at the Consumer Electronics Show, where competitors were announcing all sorts of new 3D HDTVs (Sharp’s 3D TV is still a prototype). Here’s Sharp’s press release on the 4-color TV technology.

The new QuadPixel TVs will be available in the spring. Here are a few more pictures from the press conference. Click to enlarge: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Gadgets • Video & TV • • • • • • • • | 2 Comments »

Fuzzy teddy bear TVs do exist!

January 6th, 2010, 1:22 pm by

Couldn’t resist taking this photo:

The 19-inch Animal Series HDTV from Hannspree in Irvine.

Yes, that’s an LCD HDTV shaped like a fuzzy, wuzzy bear. It comes from none other than Hannspree North America, which is headquartered in Irvine (and mentioned previously on this blog).

Hannspree Apple TVI remember Hannspree most for its kidilicious TVs shaped like apples, basketball and even an order of fries. When I last spoke to the company, they had decided to keep cute relegated to its boutique stores because they didn’t sell well to a mainstream customer.

But now, according to Hannspree’s press release, the company is continuing to offer the novelty TVs to “hit the hearts of those seeking a completely different approach to design in consumer electronics.”

The Apple comes in 28 and 55 inches.

Speaking of Hannspree, the company also says new 10- and 12-inch netbooks are coming out this year. Plus there will be some 8-inch animal-shaped digital photo frames and alarm clocks.

Consumer Electronics Show 2010 with The GadgetressFor more CES 2010 coverage, visit the Gadgetress CES page at gadgetress.freedomblogging.com/ces2010. Most recent headlines:

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Vizio announces biggest, priciest HDTV (yup, it’s 3D)

January 5th, 2010, 10:25 am by

Vizio's new XVTPro 720SV, a 72-inch 3D, LED HDTVWith the annual gadget fest just days away, Irvine-based Vizio decided to unveil its HDTV lineup for 2010. And what a stunner: A 72-inch HDTV packed with goodies like 3D technology, wireless HDMI, Internet and, of course, the usual LED,  plus refresh rates of 480Hz.

And the price? Just $3,499!!

Okay, it’s not the usual big, affordable HDTV from Vizio for less than $2,000. But looking at the stuff inside, the new Vizio XVTPRO720SV is probably lower priced than a rival’s 3D, LED, 72-inch TV. More on this later. I’ll be meeting with Vizio at the Consumer Electronics Show later this week and will offer a fuller report. Here’s Vizio’s press release.

Meanwhile, take a look at some of the specs and photos of Vizio’s upcoming TV, which is slated to go on sale in August 2010:

New Vizio TVs for 2010Don’t forget to check out the CES 2010 page for the latest headlines:

Posted in: Gadgets • • • • • • • | 11 Comments »

In-your-face 3D TVs to highlight 2010 CES

January 5th, 2010, 7:56 am by

CES 2010 with The GadgetressGadget mayhem starts Thursday at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. I’m heading out early to get any sort of sneak peek possible (so check my CES 2010 page for updates).

The show will be slightly smaller than last year, with about the same number of attendees (110,000, say organizers) and in a smaller space (down to one convention center). Still, with 2,300 exhibitors, that’s probably about 2,200 more than I’ll be able to meet.

What’s the big news for TVs this year? Show organizers say 3D TVs (yes, with goggles), which were also noted by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday. There’s even a special 3D Tech Zone in the main hall of the convention center.

“That functionality will become ubiquitous on every TV in the market,” predicted Tara Dunion, senior director of communications for the Consumer Electronics Association, which organizes the annual event.

Market researcher DisplaySearch forecasts that the 3D TV industry will hit $17 billion in revenues by 2018 and sell 64 million TVs, up from a mere 200,000 last year.

3D glasses from NvidiaBut 3D goggles? Yes, the movie Avatar was a huge hit, but will consumers really want to keep track of a pair of glasses? That’s pretty much the only way you can watch a 3D TV today. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • • • • | 4 Comments »

Vizio knocked to second by Samsung for top HDTV sales

November 18th, 2009, 9:04 am by

Vizio Inc., an Irvine HDTV sellerVizio and Samsung continue to compete neck and neck in vying for consumer love when it comes to LCD TVs. This quarter, Samsung sold more TVs in the U.S. than the Irvine HDTV firm.

According to market research firm iSuppli Corp, the battle for first was a close one. Samsung was just 1.1 percent ahead of Vizio based on market share percentage points (added 3:01 p.m.). See the chart below. Samsung had 1.3  million vs. 1.2 million HDTVs sold. Vizio’s second-place finish also meant a drop in market share, the biggest decline of the TV companies in the top 5.

Vizio, otherwise, has been in the lead all year (see earlier report on 2nd quarter and 1st quarter results). Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • • • | 21 Comments »

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