Geoffrey Morrison

Panasonic's new VIERA, with iPad app

A Look at Panasonic’s Expanded VIERA Connect

. . . and pondering the future of broadcast television

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted November 11, 2011

Panasonic had an event yesterday where they showed off some of the new apps available for their VIERA Connect web-streaming platform.

On the surface, it was merely an update of the platform with some new content providers. But what those providers were offering was interesting. Very interesting indeed.

Potentially. . . it's the future.

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Mohu Leaf installed

No More Rabbit Ears: The Leaf Antenna by Mohu

It’s wafer thin!

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted November 18, 2011
2

I’ll be honest, I can think of few things less sexy to review than an antenna. This isn’t because they’re not useful, it’s just without a lot of specialized equipment, there isn’t much I can say about them.

I live in The Valley, with a direct line of sight to the HDTV transmitters that cover all of Los Angeles. On the clear day each year, I can see Mt. Wilson from my front door. TV reception is so good, I could stick my finger in a TV’s antenna input and my dome could probably pull in a signal. Picture that for a second.

But The Leaf by Mohu is actually kinda cool, and looks very different from any antenna I’ve seen.

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Picard, Worf...Kindle?

Review: Kindle Fire

The other tablet

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted November 21, 2011
1

It began, as so many things do, with Star Trek. Premiering just days after my 9th birthday, Star Trek: The Next Generation instilled unto me to many of the core principles I still hold dear: people working together can solve anything; when in doubt, scan; and, of course, bald dudes rule.

It was the technology that really wowed my young mind: the ship, the transporters, the replicators, and especially the tricorders all were added to my permanent Christmas list. Sadly, none of those yet exist (damn you, science!), but the P.A.D.D., barely more than set dressing, is perhaps the first Star Tech that you can actually buy.

And by any measure, that makes tablets fracking cool.

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The Tech2 Stuff to Read While Waiting in Line Guide

Reading > talking to strangers

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted November 25, 2011

Everyone else is doing those Black Friday shopping guides. We do things a bit differently here at the Tech2 shack on the S+V compound.

Knowing how many people have smartphones, and would rather look at them then stare at the schlub in front of them in line, we present “Stuff to Read While Waiting in Line.” Or, to translate for the New Yorkers out there: “Stuff to Read While Waiting on Line.”

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll burp turkey from yesterday.

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Sony VPL-HW30ES projector

Test Report: Sony VPL-HW30ES 3D HD Projector

A budget version of Sony’s high-end SXRD projectors that also happens to do 3D.

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted November 30, 2011

There are two ways to look at the rapidly decreasing price point of 3D HD projectors. The first way: Manufacturers are racing one another to the bottom by finding ways to make 3D cheaper and cheaper. The second, more accurate way: 3D is just a new feature (though one marketed to within an inch of its life) found on cheaper and cheaper products, just as 1080p resolution was a few years ago.

Looked at through those eyes, the Sony VPLHW30ES is less a “new 3D projector” and more a continuation of a long line of excellent SXRD models from Sony that now just happen to also do 3D. Plus, it’s a fantastic value.

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What's a Winner?

Does best have to be better?

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted December 2, 2011
1

I need your help. Maybe you can explain something to me.

Why do we need winners? I’m not talking about sports and such; I mean with A/V gear, movies, video games, etc. How many articles and forum posts have you seen that proclaim one object the winner over another?

What is behind this desire to declare a winner when there’s no competition being fought?

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Minnie Maggies - backlit

Review: Magnepan Mini Maggie

Something truly different for the desktop

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted December 5, 2011

“This is the worst listening room I’ve ever heard,” Magnepan’s Wendell Diller said, half joking. It might have been less than half.

Honestly, I couldn’t disagree. We were sitting in my office, facing my computer and a newly setup Mini Maggie system. I don’t review speakers in my office, for good reason. It’s basically a cube with mostly bare walls: one of the worst acoustic environments possible.

And with any speaker — especially a planar magnetic speaker — the room is a huge part of the deal. So began my quest for a better room, better sound, and the perfect setup.

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Kindle-on-angle

Picking the Perfect Tablet

Tablets are hot — and everywhere. But choosing one is easier than you’d think

By Geoffrey Morrison
Posted December 5, 2011
1

PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT. It started with the Walkman and was revolutionized by the iPod. Now with tablets, audio, video, and more merge into one uber-device of computing awesomeness.

We have a narrow set of criteria for tablets here at Sound+Vision. That it surfs the web, does email, can video chat, and so on is cool, but we're not Office+Meetings magazine. We — like most people, it turns out — want tablet-as-entertainment.

And surprisingly, that makes the choice easier than you’d think.

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Apple iPad2 - the hardware

The Perfect Tablet? The Hardware

Four Leading Contenders for the Tablet Crown

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Kindle Fire - measured

The Perfect Tablet? The Measurements

How the leading tablets stack up as video performers.

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