Tom Norton

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Sony VPL-VW70 Part II
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
Here's a better shot of Sony's VPL-VW70, one of the two new projectors Sony introduced at the show. More details in our report on Sony's press conference, below.
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Sony Demos New PJ
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
Sony demonstrated its new VPL-VW70 projector (about $8000) in a dedicated theater booth featuring Watt Puppy loudspeakers from Wilson Audio--driven by one of its own AV receivers. The demo featured a 2.35:1 screen, with the projector supplemented by an anamorphic lens.
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Getting Proficient
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
Proficient is not a new company, but this is its first line of receivers. Of the three designs here (one of them 2-channel stereo), the M80 ($1250) is the most interesting. Rated at 130Wpc x 7, it offers full decoding for DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD. Available early in 2009.
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Breathing Easier
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
The Oxygen Bar. Here last year, back by popular demand.
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Yes We Arcam
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
A year or so ago I reviewed an Arcam AV receiver. It was one of the best sounding pieces I have experienced. But its HDMI inputs were switching only--no audio over HDMI. That has been corrected with the new AVR600 ($4000; $4500 with Internet LAN connectivity). It will also decode all of the latest audio formats, including DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD. It's also one of the first AVRs to feature Dolby Volume. 120 Wpc, availability expected in late November.
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Mitsubishi Gets Coherent
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
The LaserView RPTV that Mitsubishi has been promising is almost here. The single model (65" only, for now), which uses lasers as a light source and a DLP chip as an imaging element, is expected to ship at the end of this month (Sept) for $6995.
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Revel Gets Small On-Wall
Tom Norton  |  Sep 04, 2008
Revel has announced a whole new range of on-wall speakers designed for use with other components that dwell on the walls. The line, an unusual one for this audiophile-oriented company, also includes a wireless subwoofer.
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Panasonic Sings the Blues
Tom Norton  |  Sep 03, 2008
Hot on the heels of its DMP-BD50 Blu-ray player, which was (it seems, just introduced), Panasonic launches its newer DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55. Even the less expensive DMP-BD35 (no prices or availability dates were announced) is full Profile 2.0 (BD-Live), will decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, and has an SD card slot. The DMP-BD55 adds a number of features, including enhanced audio circuits.
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Ask Panasonic and Ye Shall Receive
Tom Norton  |  Sep 03, 2008
Panasonic announced a new A/V receiver, the SA-BX500 ($799) with three HDMI inputs, a bi-amp/bi-wire capability for its 7.1-channels of 130 watts per channel of amplification, and so-called 7.1-channel Virtual Surround mode in a 5.1-channel system.
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A Case of Projection
Tom Norton  |  Sep 03, 2008
Panasonic has a new LCD video projector, the PT-AE3000. While it looks identical to its predecessor, the PT-AE2000, it includes a number of new features and enhanced specs. It now claims a dynamic range (peak contrast ratio) of 60,000:1, a light output of 1600 lumens. Features include 120Hz operation with the added frames interpolated (hopefully the interpolation can be turned off!). The most exciting feature is a Lens memory that can save different settings for zoom and focus so that you can do constant height projection on a 2.35:1 screen without using an anamorphic lens. $3500, in October.
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