Thomas J. Norton

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A/V Veteran
A Tale of Two SVS Subwoofers
Thomas J. Norton  |  May 04, 2021  |  4 comments
David Vaughn’s 2019 review of the SVS SB-3000 sealed subwoofer inspired me to request a pair of SB-3000s for a feature article on finding the best locations for dual subs. But because my listening space is open to much of house I had the urge to experiment with two larger, ported subs, so I pitted two SB-3000’s against a pair of PB-3000’s to see how they would hold-up against their big brothers.
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Audio Video News
A Titanic Announcement
Thomas J. Norton  |  Apr 10, 2005  |  0 comments

It's no secret that the original DVD release of <I>Titanic</I>&mdash;about a zillion years ago in DVD time&mdash;was a technical dud. Oh, it looked okay, and the excitement of actually being able to put it on your very own shelf to watch whenever you wanted kept the disappointment to a low simmer. But it was released during the period when studios were just beginning to adopt the anamorphic or "enhanced for widescreen" format. Unfortunately, <I>Titanic</I> was not a beneficiary of that superior technology. As ordinary letterbox transfers go, it was among the better ones. But it wasn't what it should have been.

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CEDIA 2013
Acurus Previews Act 4
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 30, 2013  |  0 comments
The Acurus ACT 4 7.1-channel pre-pro sports all the latest audio formats and is expected to ship early in 2014 for $4000. The accompanying 7.1-channel Acurus amplifier is available now at $4299.
A/V Veteran
Adventures in Speakerland
Thomas J. Norton  |  Aug 09, 2009  |  3 comments

As I browsed through the latest issue of <I>Stereophile</I> during a late afternoon lunch break, the waiter who brought my soup glanced at an advertisement.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Adventures In Zambezia
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jul 10, 2013  |  0 comments
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Extras
Kai, a young falcon, yearns to spread his wings and explore the world, more specifically an avian community called Zambezia. There he hopes to join the Hurricanes, the skilled and brave flying corps that defends the city. But his father is unalterably opposed to his leaving their safe but boring life for reasons Kai does not at first understand. Kai leaves the nest on his own anyway, joining a flock of geese headed to the fabled bird city. Once there, he finds the city in danger from a terrifying enemy.
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CES 2014
Aerial Acoustics Slims Down
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 14, 2014  |  0 comments
While Aerial Acoustics' speakers aren't candidates for the bargain basement, they do have a reputation for great sound and solid engineering. The new 6T ($6000) is a thinner and relatively more affordable sibling to the company's 7T (just under $10,000).
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A/V Veteran
After You've Gone
Thomas J. Norton  |  Mar 06, 2008  |  Published: Mar 07, 2008  |  9 comments

So now we have a single HD disc format. Hallelujah. No more excuses for sitting on the fence. No more "my upconverted DVDs look almost like high definition" claptrap. The clouds will part, angelic choirs will sing, and…oops, wrong blog.

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CES 2018
Aibo, Fetch
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 11, 2018  |  1 comments
Sony’s newly minted Aibo (the wonder robot dog) drew crowds in the Sony booth, marveling at its nearly real actions (though he moved slower than a live animal).
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Aladdin
Thomas J. Norton  |  Mar 11, 2016  |  0 comments
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Aladdin was released theatrically in 1992, during a renaissance in Disney’s hand-drawn animation that also gave us Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. But its release on DVD didn’t happen until 2004, and this is its first time on Blu-ray. It’s been too long a wait.

You know the story. Street rat Aladdin finds a magic lamp, he rubs it, and a genie appears to grant his new master three wishes. It’s a tale of redemption, growth, love, treachery, and—oh, forget all that. Its Boy meets Genie, Boy loses Genie, Boy gets Genie.

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Video Processor Reviews
Alchemy² D²L Digital Delay Line
Thomas J. Norton  |  Nov 26, 2005  |  0 comments

What's the most annoying flaw in digital programming from DVDs or HDTV? Video artifacts? Macroblocking? Freeze-ups? Standard definition commercials? David Letterman?

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