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Sony VPL-VW95ES 3D Projector

Chris Heinonen

With the shift from CRTs to flat panel and projection displays, Sony has had to find something to replace the veritable Trinitron that was a symbol of excellence for so many years. Their proprietary version of Liquid Crystal on Silicon, SXRD, has been their high-end technology, appearing in products their Qualia reference line, to the first home 4K projector this year, and in the VPL-VW95ES reviewed here.

Projectors

JVC X30 1080p Three-Chip D-ILA 3D Projector

Chris Heinonen

After moving last fall, I finally had space for a projection setup and ordered a screen for my basement. When I started to look for a projector for my new home theater, the first recommendation from people was almost always JVC. The JVC X30 is a three-chip D-ILA projector that has 4K resolution for the future, but for now, it is considered a full 1920x1080p projector. I has an incredible contrast ratio for gorgeous blacks, and is 3D capable. It's $1,000 less than it was last year, and they have added memory for lens settings (zoom) so you can have the image at the appropriate size if you are viewing 2.35:1 vs. 2:1, etc.

Projectors

Pioneer BDP-52FD 3D Universal Blu-ray Player

Chris Heinonen

Of all the new equipment that I saw at the CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis in 2011, my favorite booth visit was to Pioneer. Showing me around their booth and their new products, it was obvious they had read our review of their last generation of Blu-ray players. So, here is another one, in this case, the BDP-52FD, which is 3D-capable, and will play DVD-A as well as SACD, making it a universal player.

Blu-ray Players

Anthem MRX 300 7.1 A/V Receiver

Secrets

Anthem is a company that is well-known in audiophile circles for cost-no-object separates and excellent separate power amplifiers. Anthem is the parent company to Paradigm, whose Studio 20 v.3 monitors were used in conjunction with the Anthem seven-channel MRX 300 AV receiver for this review.

Receivers

Toshiba BDX5200 3D Blu-ray Player

Chris Eberle and Chris Heinonen

To compare today's Blu-ray players with the very first models that shipped back in 2006, one would find those early players to be a mere shadow of what's available today. Early adopters had to live without full lossless sound support, no 24p, no Internet apps, terrible ergonomics, glacially slow load times, and of course, high prices. Now we have models like Toshiba's BDX-5200 that give you everything but the kitchen sink for under $180. Ain't technology great?

Blu-ray Players

Panasonic DMP-BDT210 3D Blu-ray Player

Chris Heinonen

Sales figures for home theater components are not something I really pay attention to. I'd much rather own something that works great than to have what's popular, or to have my opinion influenced by sales numbers. However, I'd be willing to bet that Panasonic has done pretty well with their 3D Blu-ray players this year because of one huge advantage they have over everyone else: The ability to include Avatar 3D for consumers. And now, you can get a 3D Blu-ray player for $200: the Panasonic DMP-BDT210.

Blu-ray Players

CEDIA 2011 EXPO Show Report

SECRETS CEDIA Coverage Team

The CEDIA 2011 Expo is back in Indianapolis this year.  The SECRETS Team arrived earlier this week and have already seen some impressive new gear.  The first reports are in.....Check back frequently for reports from the team:  Cynthia Johnson, Chris Heinonen, Robert Kozel, Sumit Chawla, Piero Gabucci and Nick St Denis.  David Rich is with the team as well, focusing on some of the technologies with in-depth interviews with the manufacturers.

NEW.....David Rich has added a post show report in the CAVE.

Head for the CAVE.  Or for Individual Team Reports, go to Read More for the link.

Show Reports, Film Festivals and Concerts

Zildjian 18″ K Custom Session Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

As part of a limited series releases, Zildjian recently began offering this K Custom Session Crash, which was designed per Steve Gadd's sound preferences. He personally signed a number of them at the factory. The 18" A. Zildjian & CIE Vintage Crash is also one of the limited edition releases, and is reviewed in the Percussion Reviews pages.

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