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The Front Row

AVSForum.com

Welcome to The Front Row Podcast, where we dive into everything audio, video, and home entertainment with a mix of expert insight and real-world experience. Whether you're already invested into the AV space or just starting out, this show is here to break topics down and make the details easier to understand. Hosted by Erik Wesley and Ryan Charpentier, each episode covers topics like speaker specs, video formats and system calibration that will help you make sense of what you're seeing and reading online. We’ll have honest conversations with knowledgeable guests and share plenty of practical takeaways you can actually use in your own setup.

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  • 23 episodes
  • Updated June 2

Episodes23

Newest first
  • Jul 2, 2025 · 1 hr 45 min

    The Path From 1080p to HDR Is More Layered Than It Seems

    In Episode 3 of The Front Row Podcast, we’re back with part two of our conversation with Jason Dustal, who brings over 25 years of expertise as an ISF trainer, Level 3 calibrator, CTS certified professional, CEDIA certified instructor, and Certified for Envy Product Specialist. This time, we dig deeper into the video technology and how we went from 1080p LED TVs to today’s 4K HDR display. We talk through the differences between HDR formats, what makes Dolby Vision unique, what bit depth really means, and why it matters. We also get into tone mapping and how it can make or break your HDR experience. We got a lot of great feedback on Episode 2, so it only made sense to keep the conversation going. We cover a lot in this one, and if you care about getting the best out of your TV, it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss! We want to give a big thank you to our podcast sponsor, ⁠Anthem Electronics⁠. Anthem isn’t just about power, it’s about precision. From clean amplification to intelligent room calibration, every element is engineered to deliver pure, articulate sound. Unlock the performance your system was made for. ⁠Anthem – Elevate. Refine. Enhance⁠ Listen to The Front Row Podcast on your favorite platform and be sure to follow and leave a review on Apple & Spotify: ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠iHeartRadio⁠ ⁠Amazon Music⁠ ⁠Pandora

  • Jun 17, 2025 · 1 hr 25 min

    From CRTs to Calibration and Everything in Between

    Welcome to episode two of The Front Row Podcast, and the first where we sit down with a guest - Jason Dustal! As a well-known and highly respected figure in the AV industry, Jason brings over 25 years of expertise as an ISF trainer and Level 3 calibrator, CTS certified professional, CEDIA certified instructor, and Certified for Envy Product Specialist. He also serves as co-chair on multiple CEDIA standards committees, helping shape best practices for video system design and calibration. His contributions have earned him a spot on Dealerscope’s “40 Under 40” list. In this episode, we dive into the basics of video calibration, things like why it matters, what to look for and what some TV settings actually do. From SDR on old CRT TVs to how calibration has evolved over the years, Jason walks us through where calibration started and where it’s headed. This is part one of a two-part series, with the next episode diving deeper into today’s standards such as HDR, tone mapping and much more! So sit back, relax, and join us for a conversation with one of the true experts in video calibration. We want to give a big thank you to our podcast sponsor, Anthem Electronics. Anthem isn’t just about power, it’s about precision. From clean amplification to intelligent room calibration, every element is engineered to deliver pure, articulate sound. Unlock the performance your system was made for. Anthem – Elevate. Refine. Enhance Listen to The Front Row Podcast on your favorite platform and be sure to follow and leave a review on Apple & Spotify: Spotify Apple Podcasts iHeartRadio Amazon Music Pandora

  • Jun 3, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

    Where Our Home Theater Journey Began - The Front Row Podcast Episode 1

    In case our written reviews and video content weren’t enough, AVSForum has officially entered the world of podcasts! Say hello to The Front Row Podcast, hosted by Erik Wesley and Ryan Charpentier. In our very first episode, we talk about what the podcast will focus on, how often you can expect new episodes and why we think it’s worth tuning in. We also share how we each got into the AV industry and our journeys that led us to where we are today. Since this is our very first episode, we would really appreciate your feedback. If there is something we can do better or something you want more or less of, please let us know in the comments. There is also a quick teaser for the next episode at the end and if you have any questions you would like us to ask on the next episode, feel free to drop those below. We want to give a big thank you to our podcast sponsor, Paradigm Electronics. At Paradigm, sound is not just heard, it’s felt. It’s audio that stirs emotion and is designed to move you. Paradigm - Authentically Canadian, Acoustically Brilliant. Listen to The Front Row Podcast on your favorite platform: Spotify Apple Podcasts iHeartRadio Amazon Music Pandora