HD Guru claims to have obtained pricing, release dates, and some preliminary specs for the latest iteration of the M-series from “industry sources.” You may remember the 55-inch M-series took the top spot as our favorite 1080p TV for under $1,000 last year, thanks to its full array of LED backlighting controlled by 32-zone local dimming that allows the display to achieve rich black levels, excellent contrast, and solid screen uniformity.
Updated 4/13/2015: Vizio has confirmed pricing for all TVs in our original article, with the exception of the 50-inch, which was $100 cheaper than originally leaked pricing at $800 MSRP, and an added 49-inch model at $30 less.
This year’s M-series may have outdone itself, keeping the best of its features from 2014, and raising the resolution rate from 1080p to 4K (3,840 x 2,160) to keep pace with the next generation of eye-popping 4K UHD content — all while essentially holding on to the same pricing for model sizes in the middle of the spectrum.
HD Guru claims the 65-inch model will offer 32-zone dimming, though no word was given for the rest of the series — last year’s 32-inch had only 5 zones, while the 60-inch had 36. Of course, the more zones available, the better an LED TV can react to contrast changes. The sources didn’t disclose a refresh rate either, but if the upgraded series follows last year’s lead, we expect the industry standard 120Hz native refresh rate. The leaked pricing for the new TVs are reported as follows:
| Model | Size | Release Date | Price |
| M80-C3 | 80-inch | Later this year | $4,000 |
| M75-C1 | 75-inch | Later this year | $3,000 |
| M70-C3 | 70-inch | April-May | $2,200 |
| M65-C1 | 65-inch | April-May | $1,700 |
| M60-C3 | 60-inch | Now | $1,500 |
| M55-C2 | 55-inch | Now | $1,000 |
| M50-C1 | 50-inch | April-May | $800 |
| M49-C1 | 49-inch | April May | $770 |
| M43-C1 | 43-inch | Now | $600 |
As you can see, the pricing for 4K UHD TVs, especially towards the end of the spectrum, is enticingly affordable, to say the least. And though we don’t normally recommend buying a TV lower than at least 60 to 65 inches to take full advantage of 4K, at these prices, we’d almost say “just go for it” in any size leading up. And even the monstrous 70-inch model is a steal at $2,199 — again, if the sources are on point.
Other specs revealed by the report include 5 HDMI inputs for the 65-inch model, a contrast ratio of 20 million to 1, and of course, Vizio’s latest Smart platform which will be equipped to stream 4K UHD content from the top sources.
If the report is to be believed, this could be a serious coup for Vizio after receiving a lukewarm reception for the highly-economical P-series 4K UHD TVs last year, which didn’t perform as well as expected. If the M-series takes the best from both worlds, we could have a serious contender for a top pick in 4K TVs on our hands in 2015. For now, stay tuned to see if Vizio will break silence and confirm or deny the report.
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