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What are the best DVDs to play on a home theater?

I

isasir

Diamond Member
As a follow-up to my other thread and per bigsmooth's encouragement, I'd like to know what you think is a great movie to just sit and revel in your home theater setup (primarily audio-wise, but video as well)? Right now, I'm in awe at Star Wars Ep. II: AOTC, (regardless of what I thought of the movie content). LOTR: FOTR was also recommended, but I'd like to hear other suggestions.

 
Kind of a different theme from most of those listed here which tend to be action/sci-fi movies, but one of the ones they used as a tester/demo for our new presentation room here at the office (which is setup virtually like a mini-theater):

Monsters Inc.
 
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.
 
Originally posted by: Parrotheader
Kind of a different theme from most of those listed here which tend to be action/sci-fi movies, but one of the ones they used as a tester/demo for our new presentation room here at the office (which is setup virtually like a mini-theater):

Monsters Inc.
Click to expand...

Shrek would be a good encore to that 🙂
 
Here's a list from IGN.
Also, this is from HomeTheaterForum's FAQ pages:
What are some awesome sounding DVDs to test out my system?

There are several, but mine and I'm sure quite a few more HTFer's favorite discs include:

Saving Private Ryan 5.1 DTS: Simply an outstanding surround mix! Bullets wizzing past from every direction, massive explosions rocking your house, and John Williams' haunting score make this one of THE best.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 5.1 Dolby Digtal EX: A truly referance soundtrack. It has it all, deep bass, magnificent surround action and a killer score. The pod race brought tears to my eyes.

The Haunting 5.1 DTS: Personally I have never heard this mix, but I thought I would include it because so many HTFers swear by it.

Fight Club 5.1 Dolby Digital EX: This mix has it all. Lots of killer deep bass, a lot of surround action and an awesome Dust Brothers score.

Dances with Wolves 5.1 DTS: I hear this disc is OOP (Out of Print), but I think it can still be had on eBay. Here again, some decent bass, especially in the buffalo hunt scene, and some decent surround action.

The Matrix 5.1 Dolby Digital: A lot of deep bass and very good surround speaker use. The only bad thing is that it is from Warner Bros., which means you will get a cut bit-rate mix.

Seven: Platinum Series 6.1 Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES: The opening titles will make you turn your subwoofer down, guranteed! Both mixes have tons of bass and a very good music score.

Apollo 13 5.1 DTS or Dolby Digital: Be sure to check out the rocket lanch scene, it is incredible. There is quite a bit of surrond action, but the bass is the real eye opener.

Jurassic Park 5.1 DTS (Re-mix): Ever heard a T-Rex stomp? Well now you've felt it! This disc was re-issued by the studio as the original was lacking bass. Do a search to find out what I mean.

While there are numerous more DVDs with awesome soundtracks, those are some of the best. Essentially, as rule of thumb, if the movie has a lot of action and is a Hollywood blockbuster, then chances are it has a good sound mix.
 
Saving Private Ryan - In the last battle when the enemy tank is approaching will really test your subwoofer...

Matrix - All the bullets flying around during the lobby scene will really show off your surround sound system...
 
One other DVD that shows off your system pretty well is Starship Troopers. Lots of nice loud surround effects. 😛
 
Audio quality:

-U-571 (dts)
-Jurassic Park (dts version - reprinted/fixed version)
-Star Wars Ep1 - Phantom Menace
-The Matrix
-Saving Private Ryan (dts - light years ahead of the DD version)
-Titan A.E.


Video Quality:

-Sleepy Hollow
-Starship Troopers
-Ice Age
-Dark City
-From Hell
-Pitch Black
-Final Fantasy
-Braveheart

Audio and Video:

-Star Wars Ep2 - Attack of the Clones
-LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)
-Gladiator (a little EE, but still nice)
-Toy Story 2
-Blade
-Blade 2
-Seven
-Fight Club
-The Fifth Element
-Jaws DTS (an excellent resoration)


many more than I'm missing...
 
Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.
Click to expand...
BAH - get a real submarine movie.

Das Boot - The Director's Cut is the ultimate surround system tester.


 
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.
Click to expand...
BAH - get a real submarine movie.

Das Boot - The Director's Cut is the ultimate surround system tester.
Click to expand...

Maybe a better movie, but U-571's sound blows it out of the water - no pun intended!
 
Originally posted by: kami
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Originally posted by: jumpr
U571 is literally amazing when it comes to testing out your surround sound.

Those depth charges rocked my family room.
Click to expand...
BAH - get a real submarine movie.

Das Boot - The Director's Cut is the ultimate surround system tester.
Click to expand...

Maybe a better movie, but U-571's sound blows it out of the water - no pun intended!
Click to expand...
Not the director's cut. The film was completely digitally remastered to take advantage of surround sound.

 
Originally posted by: Parrotheader
Kind of a different theme from most of those listed here which tend to be action/sci-fi movies, but one of the ones they used as a tester/demo for our new presentation room here at the office (which is setup virtually like a mini-theater):

Monsters Inc.
Click to expand...


Monsters Inc. huh? Interesting. I watched it at home before I got any of my stereo equipment. I hadn't watched it since. It's a short movie too. Guess I'll watch this in the next few days.
 
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