Vizio Ships 21:9 Ultra-Widescreen XVT Series HDTV For $2499

Remember when "widescreen" HDTVs hit the market en masse, and people were complaining far and wide about "black bars" still seen when watching DVDs? It's because loads of movies are shot and filmed at 21:9, not the 16:9 that typical HDTVs show. But evidently Vizio thinks that there's a cadre of consumers out there willing to pony up for an upgraded set that's actually made specifically to cater to those movies. The company has just announced the availability of the XVT Series Cinemawide 21:9 aspect ratio HDTV. It's the first ultra-widescreen HDTV of its kind in America, and regardless of sales figures, it's already getting a lot of attention.

It ships with a unique 2560x1080 screen resolution, utilizing Lit Razor LED technology, Smart Dimming, SRS StudioSound HD and a super, super wide stance. It'll ship initially in a 58-inch size for $2499. You'll certainly need an ultra-wide place to put it, but man, talk about enjoy movies as they were intended.

VIZIO ANNOUNCES AVAILIBILITY OF XVT SERIES CINEMAWIDE™ 21:9 ASPECT RATIO HDTV, the FIRST ULTRA-WIDESCREEN HDTV of its kind in the U.S.

Irvine, CA — June 27, 2012 — VIZIO, America’s #1 LCD HDTV Company*, announced the availability of the highly anticipated XVT Series Cinemawide™ LED Smart TV with Theater 3D®, the first 21:9 ultra-widescreen TV available in the United States. VIZIO’s groundbreaking TV allows movie lovers to experience the latest Hollywood blockbusters without the distraction of black bars at the top and bottom of the picture.
 
The 21:9 Cinemawide screen is wider than the standard 16:9 screen found on most HDTVs, allowing it to perfectly fit the 2.35:1 aspect ratio used for most major Hollywood films. Movie lovers no longer need to see black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, giving them more room to enjoy the crisp, clear picture. The unique 2560 x 1080p screen and Edge Lit Razor LED™ technology deliver breathtaking HD at a higher resolution than conventional 1920x1080 resolution. Smart Dimming™ assures a brilliant picture with outstanding contrast and detail and with the integration of SRS StudioSound HD™, this TV’s rich surround sound is just as immersive as the picture.
 
“As the first to bring a 21:9 aspect ratio, ultra-wide screen 3D HDTV of its kind to the U.S. market, we’re proud to be giving consumers the opportunity to view movies the way they were meant to be enjoyed,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “Not only does the Cinemawide HDTV eliminate the black bars, it also allows movie and tech enthusiasts to get the most out of their HD and 3D experiences with excellent picture quality and VIZIO Internet Apps.”
 
The XVT Series Cinemawide HDTV features VIZIO’s award-winning Theater 3D technology, providing flicker-free 3D that is clear, crisp and up to two times brighter than conventional 3DTVs, delivering a vibrant cinema-quality 3D experience.  VIZIO Internet Apps® also stands as a key component, providing endless entertainment options by bringing thousands of streaming movies, TV shows, and songs directly from the Internet, to the consumer’s fingertips**.
 
VIZIO’s Theater 3D technology delivers the state-of-the-art 3D technology used at your local movie theater into your home to produce an immersive 3D experience. Four pairs of lightweight, inexpensive and comfortable battery-free 3D glasses are included with each Cinemawide 3D HDTV.
 
The VIZIO Cinemawide provides the ultimate smart TV experience. Users can enjoy full-screen, full-resolution 16:9 HDTV on the right side of the screen while accessing VIZIO Internet Apps in a column on the left side of the screen. This allows viewers to check scores, catch up on news, or a share a tweet – all while watching TV. Built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to the Internet and a premium Bluetooth® universal remote control with full keyboard lets users type search and browse apps with ease.
 
The VIZIO model XVT3D580CM - 58-inch class Cinemawide LED Smart TV with Theater 3D is now available exclusively on VIZIO.com with a special limited time offer of $2499 - Original price $2799.