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Hands-On With AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on a Vizio SmartCast TV
Vizio yesterday launched a beta version of its updated Smartcast software, which allows iPhone owners who have a Smartcast-enabled TV to use AirPlay 2 and HomeKit integrations for the first time on a third-party television set.
We picked up a compatible Vizio television set (which includes the recent P and M series models at the current time) and were able to take a look at how AirPlay 2 and HomeKit work on a non-Apple device.
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AirPlay 2 support on the Vizio TV lets allows TV shows and movies to be streamed from an iOS device directly to the television, with no Apple TV set-top box required. A movie can be started on the iPhone and AirPlayed right to the TV, with support for 4K HDR and Dolby Vision included.
Mirroring a Mac or iOS device screen to the TV is also possible, letting photos, spreadsheets, webpages, documents, games, and more be displayed on the larger display of the television set. We couldn't get this feature working in the beta, but it should be available in the launch version of the software.
AirPlay 2 support allows multiple audio sources to play the same content, which means a song can be played on a single television set, multiple television sets, or a Vizio TV and other AirPlay 2-enabled devices like HomePods for whole home audio.
AirPlay 2 functionality is linked with HomeKit, so Vizio television sets that support Apple's new protocols will show up right in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
From the Home app, you can do things like switch inputs, turn the television on and off, and adjust the volume. Siri can also be used for these commands, so a simple Hey Siri voice request on one of your devices can adjust volume or turn the TV on or off, just like with other HomeKit products.
Siri can AirPlay content from an iOS device or Mac to the TV too, which means a command like "Hey Siri, play Game of Thrones on the living room TV" is a quick way to play a TV show or movie without having to search for it.
Vizio's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit beta is open to all Vizio owners with a Smartcast-compatible television set, and if you're interested in signing up, you can do so on Vizio's website. At the current time, the beta works with P and M series TV sets from 2016 and beyond, but it will be rolling out to other Vizio TV owners in the future.
When the feature launches, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will work on the following Vizio TVs, based on Apple's HomeKit TV list:
Apple's TV partners are planning to officially launch AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features at some point in the summer.
We picked up a compatible Vizio television set (which includes the recent P and M series models at the current time) and were able to take a look at how AirPlay 2 and HomeKit work on a non-Apple device.
AirPlay 2 support on the Vizio TV lets allows TV shows and movies to be streamed from an iOS device directly to the television, with no Apple TV set-top box required. A movie can be started on the iPhone and AirPlayed right to the TV, with support for 4K HDR and Dolby Vision included.
Mirroring a Mac or iOS device screen to the TV is also possible, letting photos, spreadsheets, webpages, documents, games, and more be displayed on the larger display of the television set. We couldn't get this feature working in the beta, but it should be available in the launch version of the software.
AirPlay 2 support allows multiple audio sources to play the same content, which means a song can be played on a single television set, multiple television sets, or a Vizio TV and other AirPlay 2-enabled devices like HomePods for whole home audio.
AirPlay 2 functionality is linked with HomeKit, so Vizio television sets that support Apple's new protocols will show up right in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
From the Home app, you can do things like switch inputs, turn the television on and off, and adjust the volume. Siri can also be used for these commands, so a simple Hey Siri voice request on one of your devices can adjust volume or turn the TV on or off, just like with other HomeKit products.
Siri can AirPlay content from an iOS device or Mac to the TV too, which means a command like "Hey Siri, play Game of Thrones on the living room TV" is a quick way to play a TV show or movie without having to search for it.
Vizio's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit beta is open to all Vizio owners with a Smartcast-compatible television set, and if you're interested in signing up, you can do so on Vizio's website. At the current time, the beta works with P and M series TV sets from 2016 and beyond, but it will be rolling out to other Vizio TV owners in the future.
When the feature launches, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will work on the following Vizio TVs, based on Apple's HomeKit TV list:
- VIZIO P-Series Quantum X (2019)
- VIZIO P-Series Quantum (2019 and 2018)
- VIZIO P-Series (2018, 2017 and 2016)
- VIZIO M-Series Quantum (2019)
- VIZIO M-Series (2018, 2017 and 2016)
- VIZIO E-Series (2018, 2017 and 2016 UHD models)
- VIZIO V-Series (2019)
- VIZIO D-Series (2018)
Apple's TV partners are planning to officially launch AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features at some point in the summer.
[ 54 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
9 months ago
How is it a Vizio TV can be controlled in HomeKit. But my Apple TV cannot. All I want to be able to do is turn it off.
9 months ago
I will never purchase anything from Vizio. Last year they lost a lawsuit over spying on what their customers were watching via cable, DVD, streaming, etc. and selling viewing habits along with personally identifiable information to marketing companies.
https://www.ocbj.com/news/2018/oct/05/vizio-reaches-17m-settlement-tv-spying-lawsuit/
https://www.ocbj.com/news/2018/oct/05/vizio-reaches-17m-settlement-tv-spying-lawsuit/
9 months ago
These review videos lack spark .... I'd wish MR would try out different staff members while reviewing products.
It's like someone is reading off the teleprompter
Just some feedback....please
It's like someone is reading off the teleprompter
Just some feedback....please
9 months ago
So, this means I will have more features (adding the TV to Homekit, turning it ON/OFF, changing volume, channel and input, etc.) with a 3rd party product compared to Apple's own Apple TV?
Bravo, Apple!
Bravo, Apple!
9 months ago
How is it a Vizio TV can be controlled in HomeKit. But my Apple TV cannot. All I want to be able to do is turn it off.
And setting up an automation for all Apple TV’s turn off when everyone leaves the house which would also turn the tv off using CEC! That’s a feature I’d really like to have.
9 months ago
When will you be able to tell Siri to do things like turn off the tv with the AppleTV. When my AppleTV goes to sleep now, it turns off the TV so why can't I tell HomePod to turn off the tv or make it an action in HomeKit? You would think Apple would add this functionality to its own devices before third party ones.
9 months ago
You can. I do it all the time with a Shortcut.
I consider that a hack. There's no good reason my Vizio TV has better Homekit functionality out of the box than my Apple TV. It's an embarrassment for Apple.
[ Read All Comments ]
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