SRS Labs and Vizio today announced a long-term partnership by which Vizio will incorporate SRS’ portfolio of audio and surround-sound technologies for their HDTVs and accessories. Vizio’s first implementation of SRS technology will be SRS TruSurround XT, which will be incorporated in Vizio’s flat-panel TVs beginning in Q2 this year.
SRS TruSurround XT is a multichannel processing technology that takes the surround-sound content in television shows and movies and creates as close to surround-sound as possible using the TV’s built-in stereo speakers. As the size of flat-panel TV’s bezels continue to shrink, audio quality is becoming a greater concern, because the drivers are also becoming increasingly smaller. With TruSurround XT, Vizio hopes to provide correction for even the smallest speakers, regardless of whether they are down-firing or side-firing.
A 2007 Consumer Electronics Association report found that 76 percent of all flat panel TVs are used without a separate audio amplification system. Meanwhile, a study by MarketTools found that consumers categorically listed “Better Sound” at the top of their most-wanted feature list — just behind larger screen size.
Vizio will initially ship three models with SRS TruSurround XT: a 42-inch and a 47-inch LCD plus a 50-inch plasma monitor. Beginning in the second quarter of 2008, these models will be available at Costco, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Sears, K-Mart and Circuit City.
