What are the best dvds to show off your Home Theater?

pbc74
pbc74 Posts: 63
edited March 2004 in Music & Movies
There are always times when people want to hear my setup and I'm looking for movies that have great sound throughout. I already have Matrix 1 & 2 but I am looking for more. I want movies that really use the rear surround often. What do you guys think are best ones? It doesn't matter if the movie you suggest sucks...just as long as the sound is good.
Main system:

Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
Cable- Monster Cable XP

Bedroom Setup:

fronts- Polk R50
surrounds- Polk R30
center- CS1
sub- Sony 50 watt
AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
Cable- Monster Cable XP
Post edited by pbc74 on
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 9,011
    edited February 2004
    This may sound silly but for a quick 5-10 minute demo I always use Monsters, Inc. The THX intro is killer and the first little bit of the movie is very impressive.
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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited February 2004
    A couple of tracks from the Roy Orbison DVD "Black and White" always works for me. I love his music and the DTS surround makes you feel like you are in a small nite club enjoying the tunes and drinking a beer. This DVD makes visitors feel goood and want to listen to more. Not to loud to start with however.

    The helicopter attack scene from from "Apocalypse Now" still gives me goose bumps.
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited February 2004
    I use "Dances with Wolves" the buffalo hunting sequence makes you feel like you're there. Buffaloes stampeding all around!
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited February 2004
    Band of Brothers: Carentan. The main attack sequence on the city, friggen awesome. A little gory for the weak hearted though.

    Open Range: Final gun fight or the thunder sequences.

    The two most recent worthy demo scenes I can think of.


    Peace Out~:D
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited February 2004
    Star Wars ATC. I dig the opening scene whenn the Naboo ships fly in, it sounds like they're coming in over top of you. The THX bit in the intro is cool too, and when they blow the ship the effin windows almost break!
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited February 2004
    theres a list somewhere, try searching the forums. i've seen dr spec post the list once or twice i think.
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited February 2004
    Yeah, you can search for some of the older stuff, but a thread like this every now and then is nice for the current demo material.

    Try typing "demo" into the search feature and I bet quite a few threads will pop up.


    Peace Out~:D
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • therockman
    therockman Posts: 349
    edited February 2004
    Terminator 3! With a good sub it will shake your whole house to the foundations.
    Rocky Bennett
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  • shiznit311
    shiznit311 Posts: 95
    edited February 2004
    U-571 - Depth charges to rattle that azz.
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited February 2004
    Finding Nemo!
    LOTR FOTR and TT
    Air Force One (Superbit-DTS)
    The Hunt for Red October (SE)
    The 5th Element (Superbit-dts)
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • braveheart
    braveheart Posts: 28
    edited February 2004
    Open Range in DTS, gunshots sound like they are fired right next to you.
    Lion King
    Braveheart
    Gladiator
    Pearl Harbor
    Platoon
    Band of Brothers
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited February 2004
    These are my favourite DVDs to demo HT!

    The Haunting
    LOTR-FOTR-EE & TTT-EE
    Jurassic Park III
    Saving Private Ryan
    Gladiator
    Final Fantasy
    Terminator 3
    Die Another Day
    Cast Away
    STAR WARS EP1 & EP2
    U-571

    ;)
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2004
    Final Destination 2 highway wreck scene. This will bring out the best of your expensive gear. It is in DTS also.

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
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  • avelanchefan
    avelanchefan Posts: 2,401
    edited February 2004
    Well t3 for sure, and anything off of Band of Brothers.

    Open Range was excellent throughout the movie. From the rain storms to the final gun fight.

    Underworld was also a very "hot" movie. The entire DVD is one huge sub workout.
    Sean
    XboxLive--->avelanchefan
    PSN---->Floppa
    http://card.mygamercard.net/avelanchefan.png
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  • jakedubb
    jakedubb Posts: 31
    edited February 2004
    Try Topgun. Sounds badass!
    Whatup?
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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited February 2004
    If it doesn't have big base or big action, then the movie's not on the anyone's list. WTF? Are we all this one dimensional with our expensive equipment. No wonder our Honeys think we are all crazy.

    We are talking demo disks, correct? I have made the mistake of always trying to make my friends deaf during the demos. I may be used to loud demos but the guests are not I'm afraid.

    The demo should try to interest the guest in Music or Movies. Playing it a 100db's may repulse or reject people. Some is good!

    Ask your freinds and Honey if they really enjoy really loud demos? You have the remote, so if starts to hurt your ears you turn it down, what can the guest do but grit it out if they have more sensitive ears.

    I turn the volume down about 10% to 20% of my highest volume set point during demo's now. You can hear the dynamic range much much more with the system. Some times the guests even ask me to turn it up a bit. I know they are listening then.

    Ever try and get a drink from a fire hydrant?
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited February 2004
    Well this may sound silly also.

    But Finding Nemo when Dara bangs on the fish tank... it's GREAT the best I've ever heard. Great sub workout.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • dholmes
    dholmes Posts: 1,136
    edited February 2004
    Try Blade 2 at the disco, Bade 1 at the slaughter house, Star Wars epi 1 the light saber battle at the end, Underworld(a little harsh )
    My HT set-up Panasonic front proj, 120 in ws screen, ATI amp,Integra 9.8 pre-pro, 2 Polk rti150, cp 1000, 4 fx 1000, Pioneer blu-ray 2 SVS sub pb 12-ultra 2, & Paragon popcorn popper. ps 3 Coaster leather HT recliners.
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  • therockman
    therockman Posts: 349
    edited February 2004
    I have to agree with bikezappa, he makes some very good points regarding system demonstration and WAF. But I have to chime in and just point out that a well tuned system will provide such extraordinary dynamic range, that you can really give your system a good workout and still come in under the covers of the dreaded WAF. My first suggestion in this thread, TERMANATOR 3, is a very good example. This movie has a lot of subtle dialog, that with a good system is barely audible at more than normal conversation level through nothing but the center channel speaker. But when the action heats up, the whole house will start thumping with audible energy from all 5.1 speakers. Thus, I feel that a well recroded movie, FINDING NEMO or MEN IN BLACK II or TERMANATOR 3 will provide a great demo disc with very low conversations and mind numbing special effects in a well set up system. It is up to us, the owners and hobbyists, to make sure that the system is well set up so that a movie dosen't just blare all the way through, but instead provides a pleaseant mix of dynamics.

    On another level, if you really want to impress a woman with your system, I highly recommend AN EVENING WITH THE DIXIE CHICKS on DVD. This disc is great, and the 5.1 DTS is phenomenal, a great workout for the musically inclined. In another vain entirelly, the LED ZEPPLIN DVD is great when you want to show your system off to some buddies that like to rock. This disc is by far the loudest, rockingest disc out there. For a nice quiet evening alone with your significant other, I highly recommend the DVD of A CONCERT FOR GEORGE. The DTS 5.1 is so beautiful, that it will bring everyone in the house to tears.
    Rocky Bennett
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited February 2004
    The new THX intro thing at the beginning of Finding Nemo is great (just watched it yesterday). It combines the old thx intro with some new stuff that really gives you the feeling of being there.
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited February 2004
    The new THX intro thing at the beginning of Finding Nemo is great .


    I know did you feel the COWs RUNNING:p

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • pbc74
    pbc74 Posts: 63
    edited February 2004
    Everyone, Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll have to check these movies out.

    Question: When you guys mention the thx intros (ex. Finding Nemo), do you have to have a thx receiver to get the full effect?
    Main system:

    Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
    Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
    Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
    Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
    Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
    Cable- Monster Cable XP

    Bedroom Setup:

    fronts- Polk R50
    surrounds- Polk R30
    center- CS1
    sub- Sony 50 watt
    AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
    Cable- Monster Cable XP
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited February 2004
    For the best 5.1 DD movie track that I have yet to experience,
    Darkness Falls will simply blow your mind at near reference levels.

    There hasn't been any that can come close to this. There are times that the use both front and back tracks together for some sounds while panning front to back with other sounds that truly make it sound as though items sounds are coming from areas beyond the normal depth of soundfields that other soundtracks show.

    The movie itself is only fair in video, storyline and acting. Standard horror flick fare.

    Rent it and turn it up loud and then come back here and let me know what you think, a "real diamond in the rough for surround"

    Dennis
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • pbc74
    pbc74 Posts: 63
    edited February 2004
    thanks. I'm making a list of all the suggestions.
    Main system:

    Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
    Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
    Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
    Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
    Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
    Cable- Monster Cable XP

    Bedroom Setup:

    fronts- Polk R50
    surrounds- Polk R30
    center- CS1
    sub- Sony 50 watt
    AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
    Cable- Monster Cable XP
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 9,011
    edited February 2004
    Originally posted by pbc74
    Everyone, Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll have to check these movies out.

    Question: When you guys mention the thx intros (ex. Finding Nemo), do you have to have a thx receiver to get the full effect?

    No. Any DD or DTS works. Monsters Inc intro is my favorite. When the cows stampede you feel like you're in the middle of it all. Really cool :)
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited February 2004
    Sorry, was it Monster inc. not Finding Nemo with the COWs running? Must be getting older ;)

    Anyway I think both are cool, I have both.

    >>Monsters Inc intro is my favorite. When the cows stampede you feel like you're in the middle of it all. Really cool<<

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited February 2004
    Sorry, was it Monster inc. not Finding Nemo with the COWs running? Must be getting older

    lol ok cause i was wondering how i managed to miss that part in finding nemo :p
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited February 2004
    It was on the "finding nemo" full screen... (THX cow moo...)
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 9,011
    edited February 2004
    Originally posted by jdhdiggs
    It was on the "finding nemo" full screen... (THX cow moo...)

    You're right. It was on Nemo but on the WS version, not full screen. I just watched both the intro's. Maybe some discs were different.
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited February 2004
    I watched "UNDERWORLD" today, whole movie is a demo disc for the sub. Full of surround effects as well. Looks like I'm going to watch it over million times. The trailer itself is kick ****! Love the deep bass this movie has, which really kicks butt.:D
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter