Tom Norton

A/V Veteran
Christmas Blu
Tom Norton  |  Dec 22, 2010
Come December 25, Santa will be slipping new Blu-ray players and discs under many a Christmas tree. But will those Blu-ray discs actually look better to you?

The Blu-ray format may be four years old, but I still see comments on various websites—not to mention in the mainstream (non-enthusiast) press—to the effect that those Blu-rays don't look any better than upconverted DVDs. When you read these comments, you need to ask a few questions about the commenter, questions to clarify the circumstances surrounding the observation. These questions may even relate to your own experiences…

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CEDIA 2010
Schneider Projector
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
In addition to its range of anamorphic lenses, Schneider Optics introduced its own single-chip, 2D DLP projector, fitted with an anamorphic lens. The trick feature here is that the motorized mechanism that moves the lens in and out of position is built into the lens case, with no need for outboard sled hardware. $23,500, including ther anamorphic lens. Available early in 2011.
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CEDIA 2010
Vivid Vivitek
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Vivitek wants to be your projector company, either with its premier H9080FD LED-lit, single-chip DLP projector ($15,000) or with its new $5000, H5085 lamp-lit single chipper, or the H1085 DLP. The latter carries an alarming price of $1499 with a specified light output of 2000 lumens.
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CEDIA 2010
Pioneer in 3D Blu
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Pioneer showed three new 3D Blu-ray players, including this Elite BDP-43FD and an Elite BDP-41FD (the latter lacks the 43's extra mass damping). No prices or launch dates were announced.
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CEDIA 2010
Monitor Audio Cast in Bronze
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Monitor Audio introduced its redesigned Bronze line at CEDIA. The entire family is shown here, topped by the floor-standing BX6 at $1000/pair.
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CEDIA 2010
Cast in Bronze II
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Also by Monitor Audio was a new line of Monitor Audio premium in-or-on-walls (available in either form factor). The Soundframe 1iW, shown, utilizes a coaxial driver from 250Hz up. A con-shaped, convex midrange surrounds Monitor's signature gold-colored tweeter. This driver technology should be a natural for the mid/tweeter response in a conventional box horizontal center flanked by a pair of woofers. The Soundframe 2iW, not shown, actually does use this configuration, but with a single woofer. The 1iW and 2iW sell for $800 each.
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CEDIA 2010
A Procella is not a Mushroom
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Procella is a relatively new speaker company to these shores, with headquarters in Los Angeles, Stockholm, and Sydney. Its speakers, apart from the surrounds, follow the professional, powered-speaker paradigm. That is, they are driven by on-board amps. The P815, for example (the two stacked cabinets on the left in the photo, for example, is bi-amplified with 700 x 2 watts of built-in, class-D power. That model sells for $10,000 each.
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Salamander Chameleon
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Furniture isn't exactly a high priority around here, unless its comfy chairs in the home theater room. But we all need something to put our gear on when the concrete blocks and boards will no longer do. This Salamander wall-suspended rack caught my eye. It's lit from the bottom with LEDs,
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CEDIA 2010
Wolf in the Henhouse
Tom Norton  |  Sep 27, 2010
Wolf Cinema has launched three new projectors, including one that is surprisingly affordable for this premium brand. The lamp-based, 2D, DCC-100FD, a single chip DLP, is expected to list for $10,000 when it becomes available early next year. It's rated at 1300 ANSI lumens.
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CEDIA 2010
Optoma 3D Converter
Tom Norton  |  Sep 26, 2010
Optoma has a new outboard 3D converter, which should be available in November. The projected price of this small, unassuming box is expected to be $399, and it is said to be compatible with any projector that can do 720p and 120Hz. The demo was not encouraging, but perhaps some fine tuning will line things up better.
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