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home theater nuts - what do you use as reference DVDs?

Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
I want to get a small collection of DVDs to test out DVD setups (TV and computers). What are some good DVDs to get that will really show off a system, both with picture and sound? They must be family-oriented (ie PG-13 is the lowest rating, no R stuff). I've heard the Superbit series is pretty good. Any particular movies?

Also, do they make VGA-to-component cables for computers?
 
All the good ones I know are R. Matrix, Band of Brothers, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, Terminator 2. Those are all great for testing sound and picture.

I've heard people use the Pixar movies like Toy Story, etc., since there really isn't a "gray area" on how they're supposed to look.
 
those titles above are good.

for various reviews of dvd players, i've seen SW: Attack of the Clones referenced a lot in testing.


 
The Fifth Element and Leon - The Professional (Uncut International Version)

oops I also didn't see the R rating, good luck 🙂
 
I like the bathroom fight in True Lies. You can hear the individual shell casings hit the floor as well as the swoosh of the stall doors as they are kicked open.
The start of Cliffhanger (helicopter) is good, too.
I have no idea on the ratings. I don't commit them to memory.
 
Strangely, the PIXAR films are what I typically use. Here are a few scenes :

Finding Nemo : Darla Fish Tank scene
Toy Story II : Crossing the road to get to the chicken
Monsters Inc : anytime the little girl laughs your sub will go nuts

The above can be used for both video and audio, but I use them for an audio demo primarily
 
the fith element is supposed to be a very good one, the mask of zorro is also very good too, both superbit editions
 
To show off? Any of the LOTR extended editions are good, but only if your system is calibrated well, and has good black levels & shadow detail. The Matrix lobby shooting spree is good for sound. Fifth Element is good for visuals. Depth charges in u571 rocks if your subwoofer is properly sized.
 
I've always liked Top Gun. However, now, I hear there is an "SE" version out that apparently has had the sound remixed. I need to try and find that one.

 
Fifth Element - it really is a reference transfer, the detail and color are really amazing. There are multiple scenes you can use to really test a display's resolution, balance, etc.

Monsters, Inc and Toy Story are also known references.

gladiator is also good as it is 6.1 and a great surround.
 
Partsexpress.com sells a cd by Discwasher that has reference levels and signals switched to L,C R, LR, RR, as well as video, for level setting. Using an spl mete it is possible to quickly set up levels accurately.
 
play the start of LOTR FOTR. My sister's dog was trying to find the birds in the shire.

Also for crisp difference in speakers the patriot scene where he destroys the british to save his son...but not PG-13 material
 
Cartoons (Monsters, Inc, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, etc) are awesome for showing off even rather poor systems. They tend to make everything look good, hiding flaws.
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Cartoons (Monsters, Inc, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, etc) are awesome for showing off even rather poor systems. They tend to make everything look good, hiding flaws.
Click to expand...

awww, c'mon apex. You know toy story is a great transfer (color, blacks, etc)
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Apex
Cartoons (Monsters, Inc, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, etc) are awesome for showing off even rather poor systems. They tend to make everything look good, hiding flaws.
Click to expand...

awww, c'mon apex. You know toy story is a great transfer (color, blacks, etc)
Click to expand...

Very very true, awesome transfer. Great showoff DVD, very poor test DVD. Solid colors, little shadow detail needed, no fleshtones, little subtle color gradients. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Apex
Cartoons (Monsters, Inc, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, etc) are awesome for showing off even rather poor systems. They tend to make everything look good, hiding flaws.
Click to expand...

awww, c'mon apex. You know toy story is a great transfer (color, blacks, etc)
Click to expand...

umm thier is no transfer involved with CG movies thier straight from digital sources.
 
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