Vizio Says 2016 4K SmartCast TVs Will Support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

[MacRumors]

AirPlay 2 and HomeKit functionality will be available on all of Vizio's 2016 4K UHD SmartCast Displays, the company recently confirmed on Twitter.

Vizio's Twitter account for support questions supplied the information in response to a question from a MacRumors reader.

Apple recently shared a list of all AirPlay 2-enabled television sets on its HomeKit website, but only 2017, 2018, and 2019 Vizio models are listed.

From Apple's list:
- Vizio P-Series Quantum (2019 and 2018)
- Vizio P-Series (2019, 2018 and 2017)
- Vizio M-Series (2019, 2018 and 2017)
- Vizio E-Series (2019, 2018 and 2017)
- Vizio D-series (2019, 2018 and 2017)

2017 SmartCast models feature the same hardware as earlier 2016 models, which means the integration will work with 2016 TV sets as well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1082751260342865922

Vizio is one of the only companies implementing AirPlay 2 support on older television sets. Sony, Samsung, and LG are also enabling HomeKit support, but only on 2018 and 2019 models.

Samsung, for example, will support HomeKit on its 4 to 8 series TVs from 2018 and 2019, while LG and Sony are limiting the feature to new 2019 models.

Article Link: Vizio Says 2016 4K SmartCast TVs Will Support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

 

[KPandian1]

Vizio used Twitter to deliver very, very stale news!

C'mon Vizio. Wake up. Your website gave this info long ago!

 

[nutmac]

Although LG OLED is my TV of choice, I would seriously recommend Vizio for anyone who doesn't want to spend $$$ on TV (P and PQ series). Their level of support, especially given their low price, is incredible. If only they value user privacy, but I guess that's one reason why their TVs are priced so low.

 

[A MacBook lover]

We know that Apple has invested big into its own home-brew content. This is big and a sign that Apple is the next Netflix.

 

[KPandian1]

Although LG OLED is my TV of choice, I would seriously recommend Vizio for anyone who doesn't want to spend $$$ on TV (P and PQ series). Their level of support, especially given their low price, is incredible. If only they value user privacy, but I guess that's one reason why their TVs are priced so low.

You can use the TVs as a monitor - privacy saved.

What happened to their R - Reference service? Too expensive?

 

[69Mustang]

Vizio used Twitter to deliver very, very stale news!

C'mon Vizio. Wake up. Your website gave this info long ago!

Yeah, but no one -figuratively- visits their website. Stale or not, you put your news where the eyes are.

 

[Spock]

Again, I’m glad that my last tv purchase was Vizio. A fairly high end feature added via software update on a 3 year old tv is impressive.

 

[zombierunner]

I bought LG oled TV in early 2017 (2016 model). I am disappointed it’s not getting AirPlay 2 support.

 

[noraa]

Does anyone know if this Airplay 2 support includes the ability to stream your desktop via Airplay - similar to how you can with an Apple TV? If so, then the is really huge.

 

[Peace]

2019 *cough*

I’m just sayin

 

[brianrmurray]

Yes!!! I’ve been telling everyone to buy Vizio for years and my 2016 Vizio P65-C1 is singing right now!

 

[decypher44]

I’m still in love with my 2018 P55! Gorgeous, gorgeous screen.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

Proof that they can put this stuff on older models if they choose to do so. I was getting backlash from ppl saying that older models weren’t powerful enough etc. But in reality it’s totally up to the tv manufacturer to do this. Or to force ppl to buy a newer tv.

 

[MDF314159265]

2x I missed the bus. Bought my M60-C3 in 2015.
No HDR and now no AirPlay 2.
This was one of those times when waiting would have paid off hugely.

 

[mudflap]

This is so awesome. I had a Vizio once years ago and it was absolute junk. Returned it after a week. But after reading all the glowing reviews of the 2016 M series I decided to give them another chance and I'm so glad I did. I love my M50-D1. Now that it will be getting Airplay, I'm completely overjoyed. Hell yeah Vizio!

 

[Sasparilla]

Seems like there are issues with Vizio monetizing your viewing (and presumably anything else it can).

Here's the thing that kicked this off - one of the Verge's people noticed how much data the Vizio was sending through his parents router (the most of any device in the house by far) even though it wasn't being used for direct viewing through the TV: https://twitter.com/reckless/status/1081787683515490305

Their CEO had an interview where he said he only needs a price to break even on the TV to sell it, because he makes a recurring stream of money from monetizing what you watch (and who knows what else).

https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/7/1...o-tv-bill-baxter-interview-vergecast-ces-2019

While Vizio seems like one of the worst, it seems like all the Mfrs do this with their smart TV's - just reading it makes me wish Apple made TV's.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Yes!!! I’ve been telling everyone to buy Vizio for years and my 2016 Vizio P65-C1 is singing right now!

That’s Vizio CEO singing about all the personal watch information he’s stealing on you.

 

[afawcett]

My first reaction to this news was a groan, because I bought a Vizio Tv last year. After realizing that my TV is going to get AirPlay, my mood drastically changed. They are going to get a lot of good recommendations from me.

 

[Superhappytree]

Yeah, I’ve figured out that my 2018 LG OLED and other TV manufacturers year old models aren’t supporting it to help sell their new TV’s.

 

[Pman17]

Good! I have the 2016 model!

 

[ipedro]

Proof that they can put this stuff on older models if they choose to do so. I was getting backlash from ppl saying that older models weren’t powerful enough etc. But in reality it’s totally up to the tv manufacturer to do this. Or to force ppl to buy a newer tv.

The only new TV LG is forcing me to buy is a Vizio.

All LG has demonstrated with this is that they won’t support their products, even brand new ones that were just purchased. Thanks for the tip LG. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind when I buy my next television.

 

[jimthing]

Vizio AFAICT don't sell hardly at all in Western Europe?

 

[jettredmont]

Honest question: why is this exciting?

Airplay if you don’t have an AppleTV hooked up, or do people find it exciting for their TV to support it directly somehow?

What HomeKit integration are you expecting with the TV? Is it just on/off/volume, or full search/play support like an ATV with Siri remote?

(Personally, I avoid “smart” TVs as I prefer to have my ATV box separate and upgradable, and trust Apple to protect my privacy more than Samsung, LG, or Visio. Recent news’s about Visio monetization of viewing history data tells me that stance isn’t changing any time soon.)

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Honest question: why is this exciting?

I wonder, too. If you are heavily invested in either iTunes purchases (movies) or streaming services, what have you been watching all that on all these years? Your iPhone?

I've got some sort of streaming box (ATV4K or FireTV box) on all my TV's and never use AirPlay except for an occasional YouTube video.

 

[freezah]

As a long-term user of top Samsung’s TV sets I advise against buying them. Once they sell it, they never introduce any new features in the software updates - even worse, in my c8000 they have removed YouTube app after a while sending an info that the YT won’t be available any longer after specific date.