Thomas J. Norton

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A/V Veteran
Transforming the Transformers
Thomas J. Norton  |  Oct 10, 2017
An unexpected copy of the 4K Ultra HD release of Transformers: The Last Knight flew over my transom last week. This fifth entry may well set a new bar for mindless action punctuated by cringe-worthy humor but it's filled with exceptional eye candy...
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A/V Veteran
UHD by the Numbers
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 26, 2017
Last month I blogged about the color gamuts used for Ultra HD. But there’s always more that needs to be said. So with a little repetition here where unavoidable, or as needed to set the stage, let’s dig a bit deeper.

There’s no such thing as a P3 color gamut in the UHD standards, only BT.2020 (also known as Rec.2020). But there is a DCI/P3 color gamut in the video universe (DCI stands for Digital Cinema Initiative), and it’s used in all digitally projected theatrical presentations (which today means virtually all films in theaters).

Because time is money, film studios use the P3 color gamut today on virtually all of their Ultra HD video releases, since video masters in that gamut already exist. And no consumer displays can do significantly better than P3. 

Manufacturers have made much noise about P3, as have we in some cases...

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Tower Speaker Reviews
Revel Concerta2 F36 Loudspeaker Review
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 21, 2017

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $2,000 pr

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb sound
Punches well above its price
Upscale construction and cosmetics
Minus
A touch more top-end air would be welcome

THE VERDICT
With this impressive redesign of the Concerta line, Revel is more than ready to give its competition sleepless nights.

Revel’s new Concerta2 loudspeaker range consists of five models. The M16 bookshelves, C25 center, S16 surrounds, and B10 subwoofer are covered in a separate review due out shortly. There are also two tower models in the group; the F35 employs three 5-inch woofers, while the larger F36, reviewed alone here, uses three 6.5-inch low-frequency drivers. Apart from the woofer and cabinet sizes, the F35 and F36 are similar in concept.

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A/V Veteran
Projectors: The Display of Choice at CEDIA 2017
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 12, 2017
CEDIA 2017 was a great place to be if you have a penchant for video projection, especially short-throw projectors.
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CEDIA 2017
Harman Synthesis Goes Big
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017
Harman went all out again this year with its Synthesis electronics and more JBL speakers than would fit in any domestic space sort of a McMansion.
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CEDIA 2017
GoldenEar Stages Superb In-Wall Surround Demo
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017
Year after year GoldenEar manages to get great results in its show demos, and this year was no exception. The new product being introduced here was the Invisa Signature Point Source in-wall speaker ($999 each)...
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CEDIA 2017
Digital Projection Showcases High-end Laser Projectors
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017
Digital Projection impressed with three of its premier models for home theater buyers with deep pockets. The Insight 4K Laser, a 3-chip DLP, was shown on a screen big enough to be used in a modest multipex.
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CEDIA 2017
Screen Innovations Shades Your Room
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017
ompanies are always looking for new products that make use of their core competencies. While powered window treatments might not seem to be high on the home theater installation hierarchy, when you think about it they make sense for a company that also offers both powered and fixed screens...
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CEDIA 2017
The Great Wall of Bang & Olufsen
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017
I’m always on the lookout for new ways to use room treatments. With its Beosound Shape, Bang & Olufsen combines room absorption with on-wall speakers in a geometric shape that produces an optical illusion that it’s protruding from the wall more than it actually is...
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CEDIA 2017
Stewart Brings Light Show to Front Projection
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017
Stewart Filmscreen’s LuminEsse is a high performance fixed frame screen that can be ordered with any of Stewart’s front projection screen materials. An optional LED light package can be added to surround the screen in a range of available colors...
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