Tom Norton

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CEDIA 2009
Come Rain or Come Shine
Tom Norton  |  Sep 10, 2009  |  Published: Sep 11, 2009
The folks from SunBrite make the best sun and rainproof TVs I've ever seen. In fact, they make the ONLY sun and rainproof TVs I've ever seen. But then, I don't get out much.
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Come to the Cabaret
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
Stewart launched a new cosmetic and convenience option for its retractable, non-masking screens. It's called Cabaret, and is available in a wide range of standard and custom colors, together with decorative lighting (assumably switchable during actual use!.) The convenience part is that the screen case may be cantilevered out from the wall by several inches--enough to mount a flat panel behind it.
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A/V Veteran
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!
Tom Norton  |  Mar 28, 2025
It happens every year at this time. The internet is flooded with announcements trumpeting the new films expected to launch in late spring or early summer. The timing is vital. If the scheduled release date is earlier, such as from mid-March to early May, it's likely that the market for the movie has been judged dubious at best. The studio involved won't waste time and money trying to squeeze it into the vital and crowded mid-May to late July window. To soften their likely losses it's thrown to the wolves early to get whatever pennies the filmmakers think they can scratch from it. But there are always exceptions; one can't entirely ignore the possibility of an early season surprise hit.
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Power Amplifier ReviewsSurround Processor Reviews
Command Central: Marantz’s AV 20 and AMP 20 Japan-Built AV Separates Review
Tom Norton  |  Jun 28, 2025  |  Published: Jun 25, 2025

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE
AV 20 Preamplifier: $6,000
AMP 20 Power Amplifier: $6,000

AT A GLANCE
AMP 20 power amplifier
- 200 watts of power per channel
- Bi Amp and Bridging options
- AV 20 Preamplifier
- Incredibly Flexible Setup Options
- Audyssey and (extra cost) Dirac room correction
- HEOS multi room/streaming

THE VERDICT
A do-it-all preamp + 12 channel amp combo (available and usable separately) that can accommodate virtually any system and desired setup. But using it to its fullest capabilities does entail a significant learning curve.

Home theater separates don't always get the attention they deserve. Two channel only audiophiles rarely give them a glance, much less serious consideration.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Complete Matrix Trilogy - HD DVD
Tom Norton  |  May 20, 2007  |  Published: May 21, 2007

Stop the presses. There's a new set of reference high definition discs in town, discs that in technical quality alone very nearly blow anything you've seen so far out of the water. It's the <I>Complete Matrix Trilogy</I>, available this Tuesday (May 22) only in a boxed set of three HD DVDs.

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CEDIA 2010
Curing a Monster 3D Problem
Tom Norton  |  Sep 24, 2010
If you don't know the drill, you will soon. That 3DTV from brand A will only work with the glasses from brand A, not from brand B, C, or D. But Monster Cable has an answer. The new Monstervision Max 3D glasses are said to work on any 3DTV.
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CEDIA 2011
Da-Lite Delight
Tom Norton  |  Sep 09, 2011
As usual, video guru Joe Kane was holding forth in his black-curtained lair in the land of Da-Lite , demonstrating his Samsung-derived projectors (sadly, no longer available) and his approved, Da-Lite Affinity screens (which definitely are). Joe is working 24/7 to get his next test disc ready to market, which will include 3D material and 3D test patterns— sorely needed by video pros, calibrators, and users alike.
Surround Sound System ReviewsTower Speaker Reviews
DALI Rubicon 8 Speaker System Review
Tom Norton  |  Apr 08, 2016

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $13,080 as reviewed

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Open, airy highs
Clean, tight bass
Big, generous soundstage
Minus
Setup takes patience for best results
Treble can be unforgiving

THE VERDICT
Careful trial and error with placement, and perhaps the addition of a good subwoofer for movies with crushing bass will be needed for getting the best out of the DALI Rubicons. But the best this system offers is compelling.

DALI (Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries) isn’t new to this country, but it’s relatively new as overseas loudspeaker manufacturers go. The somewhat new Rubicon range sits near the top of the company’s U.S. product offerings, topped only by the Epicon series, which it is said to most closely share technology.

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CEDIA 2012
Darbee
Tom Norton  |  Sep 08, 2012
The Darbee video processor is said to cleanly enhance a video image. Based on what I saw at CEDIA (and based on Kris Deering's review that's available on this site) it does the job surprisingly well. I did notice, however, that if there are artifacts in the source material it will enhance those as well! But the degree of enhancement is adjustable.
CEDIA 2012
Darbee Fidelio
Tom Norton  |  Sep 08, 2012
The Darbee Fidelio, not yet available, will be a more upscale version of the current Darbee video processor when it ships at a date TBD (the basic Darbee will still be in the line). It is expected to sell for around $2000 and offers not only video enhancement but a touch screen interface, Video EQ, Multiple inputs and modes, and downloadable features.

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