VIZIO SmartCast Sound Bars Bet Big on Google Cast

VIZIO today announced SmartCast sound bars, ranging from the 38″ 2.1 Sound Bar System ($220) to the flagship 45″ 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System ($500). The 2016 collection features fully integrated Google Cast, allowing users to stream millions of songs from Google Cast-enabled audio app directly to the sound bar over Wi-Fi. Each product can be controlled by the VIZIO SmartCast app which transforms any mobile device into a powerful touchscreen remote. Considering VIZIO’s 2015 sound bars started at $80, VIZIO is banking users want multi-room streaming capability this year and an easier to hide wireless subwoofer on the top models.

The new VIZIO SmartCast app, available for download for iOS and Android devices, turns any mobile screen into a powerful touchscreen remote, allowing consumers to control their sound bar from anywhere in the home. The app allows consumers to search, browse and discover content across multiple apps as well as play, pause, change volume or access all the settings for their VIZIO SmartCast device. Multi-room streaming over Wi-Fi allows users to even cast the same song to multiple VIZIO SmartCast sound bars and speaker at the same time, or send a different song to each speaker for a beautifully simple whole home audio experience. Streaming over Wi-Fi also eliminates interruptions from phone calls, texts and other notifications that occur with Bluetooth streaming.

The SmartCast 45″ 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System is ideal for home theater enthusiasts seeking elegant style, the highest quality audio and a true 5.1 surround sound. Designed to complement 47″ class size displays and above, VIZIO’s flagship offering was engineered with custom drivers, a center channel for enhanced dialogue clarity and a sleek profile that doesn’t sacrifice audio quality. Measuring 2″ high and 2″ deep, the 45″ slim sound bar features rear satellite speakers and pumps up to 104dB Sound Pressure Level (SPL) 1 and 30 Hz of bass. The flagship model, along with the 40″ 3.1, 40″ 5.1 and 45″ 3.1 slim sound bar configurations, features a sleek and compact 3″ tall wireless subwoofer, perfect for easy, out-of-the-way storage beneath or next to a sofa.

With Google Cast built into every VIZIO SmartCast sound bar, consumers can easily stream millions of songs from music apps they already know and love, and then just tap the Cast button to stream music directly over Wi-Fi to any VIZIO SmartCast device on their home WiFi network, from anywhere in the home. And with WiFi streaming, users can still multi-task on the their mobile device without interrupting their entertainment. Bluetooth is also integrated into all VIZIO audio products, offering streaming as an alternative option. Each sound bar also ships with a standard LCD display remote, giving consumers an alternative way to control basic functions.

Price and Availability
VIZIO SmartCast 38″ 3.0 Sound Bar (SB3830-D0) $179.99
VIZIO SmartCast 38″ 2.1 Sound Bar System (SB3821-D6) $219.99
VIZIO SmartCast 38″ 3.1 Sound Bar System (SB3831-D0) $269.99
VIZIO SmartCast 38″ 5.1 Sound Bar System (SB3851-D0) $299.99
VIZIO SmartCast 40″ 3.1 Slim Sound Bar System (SB4031-D5) $379.99
VIZIO SmartCast 40″ 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System (SB4051-D5) $429.99
VIZIO SmartCast 45″ 3.1 Sound Bar System (SB4531-D5) $449.99
VIZIO SmartCast 44″ 5.1 Sound Bar System (SB4451-C0) $499.99
VIZIO SmartCast 45″ 5.1 Slim Sound Bar System (SB4551-D5) $499.99