Reference dvd list-nominate the candidates here

[esc]

I have to second Master and Commander for sound, I just watched it last night and if I owned it it would be my new 'reference' disc. the surrounds were HIGHLY active during the battle scenes and bascially any other scene giving the below-decks scenes a really great feel with lots of creaks and water noises.
The picture also looked fantastic.

[I 8 Piglet]

Ill throw my hat in with the Master and Comander croud. I have only auditioned the DTS track so far, but it was fantastic. It was the first DVD that actually made me think something was above me. We Were Soldiers fooled me in the theaters (it actually made me wonder if the had speakers in the ceiling) but the disc wasnt quite that good. But this really impressed me.

[RedBaronF2001]

My picks for recent DVDs:

Seabiscuit - Amazing video quality - I now use Chapter 25 as a demo piece for guests. Combine this video with an amazing soundtrack and audio quality and what we've got here is a reference dvd.

Master and Commander - This is, of late, the most "film-like" dvd in my collection. On my 50" DLPTV I do not notice any annoying EE (it may be there, but it's not annoying like SW Ep. I) and the colors and sharpness are so close to being like film. Add in an awesome DTS track with lots of quiet dialogue scenes, ship ambience sounds, and amazing cannon shot and musket/rifle bullets whizzing around and we've got another reference dvd on our hands.

[nitin]

master and commander DTS is indeed something to behold, amazing surround envelopment and althoug dialogue 's a bit hard sometimes, that's due to accents and the intensity of the battle scenes.

[Keith]

My picks:

VIDEO
1. AOTC
2. Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions
3. FOTR & TTT EE's
4. Master & Commander
5. The Thin Red Line

AUDIO
1. FOTR & TTT EE's (DTS)
2. Master & Commander (DTS)
3. Die Another Day (DTS)
4. AOTC
5. (tie) Minority Report (DTS), Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions

[Volcane]

Will second most of the above, but just to add some new titles to the consideration pot :

VIDEO - Ballistic : Ecks Vs Sever - painfully bad movie to watch but the video transfer is top notch. Lots of jet blacks and high detail explosions.

AUDIO - The Mask of Zorro : DTS track on the 2 disc edition. Love the swishing of the sword right in the opening (and closing) sequence and also the explosions in the goldmine in the climax. I also have a soft-spot for the Howard Shore (I think) score on this one.

[chlngr1970]

Some great nominees here.

I'd like to throw in Contact. One, if not THE best DD soundtracks in my collection. And incredible video. The Machine sequence is a fav of mine.

The Italian Job...Superb video transfer, and another great DD soundtrack.

The New TCM was pretty good for video ( haven't watched it in my theater yet, because of the sick projector )

I'll think of more later...

j

[AlexJS]

just off the top of my head, I'd nominate/second the Fifth Element (Superbit). While I always considered the original release to be reference quality, the superbit just seems that much better. The blackness in the space scenes is mind-blowing. The textures in the opening scene are very nicely brought out and superbly detailed.

[RedBaronF2001]

Rabbit-Proof Fence - this is an obscure title, but reference nonetheless. The cinematography is a sight to behold and would look awesome on any display. Peter Gabriel's haunting score will work out any 5.1 system as well.

I highly recommend this DVD as both a movie and DVD package.

[Vonner]

So when is this nomination list going to become an official list?

[mlemmond]

I would like to nominate The Last samurai and Master and Commander both are stunning visually and have and amazing soundtrack. Both have explosions and natural sound elements that really sound fantastic.

[I 8 Piglet]

I just watched the Deluxe Edition of Men in Black again, and I forgot how impressive the LFE was. So often the LFE that we get to show off our subs with is in the form of some sort of explosion. This track just has some really cool effects to it, every time they use the "flashy thing" .

Oh yeah...and its DD

[clemato]

Terminator 2 Extreme DVD. Audio and picture were really impressive. Extras, too.

West Side Story Special Limited Edition DVD Collector's Set. Compared to the original "restored" DVD, this red cover set is amazing. It's like having an orchestra in your living room. The sound is chilling. And, the color restoration is unbeatable from any DVD I've seen to date.

Independence Day: Five Star Collection. Awesome sound and one of my ultimate fav DVDs.

Sleeping Beauty - Special Edition (Disney). Absolutely my favorite Disney DVD yet, best set of extras. Transfer, sound, and color are immaculate. Also, the cleaned up version of Grand Canyon Suite is excellent.

**

I also agree with Twister DTS. Best sound in any DVD ever, it makes the movie.

[jlproffitt]

The Others gave my receiver a workout...it goes from very quiet to loud thumpy bass. And as for visuals...well, there's Nicole.

[Mirage52]

Movies in my collection that I constantly refer back to to give the HT a work out from time to time:

Master and Commander - opening and ending battle scenes.
Star Wars Ep 1 - pod race, lightsaber battle
Star Wars Ep 2 - speeder chase, clone war
We Were Soldiers - any battle scene
Gladiator - opening scene, Battle of Carthidge re-enactment scene
Terminator 3 - Crane truck chase scene
Pearl Harbor - attack scenes
Hulk - end battle, hulk dog fight scene
Blade II - beginning fight scene.
Saving Private Ryan - Normandy battle, finale battle
The Patriot - Gabriel's rescue (my personal fave)
Behind Enemy Lines - dodging rockets.

[Jerm]

Originally Posted by Mirage52

The Patriot - Gabriel's rescue (my personal fave)

I just watched this last night, and it blew me away. This has to be one of my best sounding movies. And I don't even have Superbit. I have never seen my cat pay attention to surround sound before, but last night had him looking to the speakers.

[SimPurist]

I am shocked that no one mentioned Toy Story 2 yet. The video is absolute reference quality and the audio kicks some serious butt as well. The opening sequence as well as the street-crossing scene offers some terrific audio.

[esc]

Originally Posted by SimPurist

I am shocked that no one mentioned Toy Story 2 yet. The video is absolute reference quality and the audio kicks some serious butt as well. The opening sequence as well as the street-crossing scene offers some terrific audio.

I cannot stress enough how much I hate the Toy Story sound mixes. if a character even moves slightly to either side of the screen their voice starts coming out of the right or left speaker as well as center. it gives me a headache.

[EShy]

I just helped a friend of mine and my uncle set up there audio systems, I took my ref dvds over as always

Saving Private Ryan DTS (the opening scene has the best audio with the bullets whisteling by and the camera going underwater)

Run Lola Run - a very good audio mix, these germans god it right

U-571 - everytime I watch this on a system with good audio the water drops give me the chills (I would hate being in an old sub)

Kill Bill - started taking this also, for the audio mostly, walking on the glass in the first scene, the fly flying around at the second scene, and the swords and blood flying off them and hitting the floor, very nice mix in my opinion

The Fifth Element (Superbit), the colors in this movie make it a really good video demo

everytime I start such a demo we end up seeing at least 3 of the movies, so I almost know them by heart...

[URMarc]

I'll recommend The Animatrix to the list - specifically, The Final Flight of the Osiris. With the CG, it looks great with progressive scan on. Plus, the CG is just amazing. And the audio is fabulous, especially with the sword fighting scene and assault on the Osiris.

[powowcow]

I notice that theres one consistent dig-to-dig transfer mentioned here, episode II. its not surprising, considering that it was lucus's intention to do that, and bring digital film-making to the mainstream. but i feel that dig-to-dig tranfers, save for animated films, have an unfair advantage. its not a transfer. its pure digital. which is ok, but you said reference tranfers. film transfers id hope. now i dont have the best tv or the best sound system, but i think that dig-to-dig tranfers have nothing on the superb film transfers. especially the 3-strip tenicolor ones of the classics. manily the WB transfers. but my argument pertains solely to video, not to audio. thanks for listening

[The Mule]

I always use The Fifth Element to show off my system for both sound and video. But some other dvd's I use are as follows:

Metallica - Cunning Stunts, this DVD has AWESOME sound and video. It will blow you away. The beginning to One will destroy your subs.

Superspeedway - This is an IMAX DVD and as you can imagine the sound and video are fantastic. The sound of an Indy car going 200 MPH running through your Home Theater will wake the dead.

Lost In Space - Believe it or not, I think this movie looks great and that the sound is too.

Blade II
Matrix Revolutions
Platoon - with the original THX trailer at the beginning...

[incubus0]

Originally Posted by esc

I have to nominate TITAN AE for audio. Despite what you may have to say about the film, the DTS track really makes me appreciate what a good sound mix can do. Every once in a while i wonder if spending over four grand on a sound system was a good idea because some films sound good but just not *that* great, and i wonder if i should have gone to WalMart instead and gotten an out-of-the-box all-in-one HT system for $299. Then i hear something that has an amazing sound mix and i appreciate what a good sound designer can do for a film.
The beginning of the film is so quiet and then the 'helicopters' start flying over from front to rear speakers and the engine of the hover-vehicle is roaring and the music is blasting, and then the earth goes KA-blewie and its all quiet again and then you get assaulted with Cosmic Castaway, all of which are expertly mixed.

ditto (except for the $4k part, I'm not there yet)

And well said. The mix on that is a great demo piece for the folks that come over and actually do know something about audio.

Another one that is both bombastic and discrete is the mix for Band of Brothers. One scene in particular in episode 2 when they are about to rush the German artillery positions. As you come up you can hear the boom from them firing the guns, but as you closer you start to hear the clank from the recoil. It finishes off with a bit of a bass kicker to accentuate the power of the artillery. Extremely well done stuff.

[januaryman]

Way back when (a couple of years ago) I thought everyone liked "The Haunting" for the audio and I bought it for that reason. Sure it was a bad movie and worse remake, sure the plot, as "revised" made one want to puke, but it was touted as state of the art. I ran it a few weeks back and it still was pretty darn good for audio, but I could never make myself sit through the whole horrible experience of watching the flick again!

Matrix is still pretty decent to my ears. LOTR is pretty good to the eyes. Those are the only ones that come to mind that I own.

[umainebearman]

I suppose this is as good as anyplace to make a rare appearance for myself but reading down the lists people aren't really supporting why they are nominating, sorry IMO. So I'll try and not and stick my foot in my mouth and do the same.

Audio:
Pearl Harbor 60th Ann. Edition - The audio is amazing but it is a stand out to me because it tried something no one else did. It added a Dolby Headphone soundtrack. As fickle as some audiophiles can be the headphone track works amazingly well.

Panic Room (superbit) - Seperation in the channels is perfect and pans are done just right. Was my first superbit and definately not my last. THE Superbit reference.

The Perfect Storm - Wanna feel sea sick, here ya go. I didn't think the video was quite as good but there are very few spots in this movie I wouldn't use to demo a system.

Video:

Armageddeon (Criterion) - Blacks blacks blacks! They are perfect. You should never be able to see where the frame ends and the letterbox begins because then you'll here me scream.....in space.

The Cell - New Line eye candy big time. There isn't a color thats missed in any frame, unless its in the dark then well... the black is really sweet.

Amelie - Again theres not anything lacking in the colors theres detail without bleeding. Plus the audio great to and the movie is a top 10er.

Well those are my picks that haven't been picked (accept PH). I could have chosen the pre req. LOTRs but those are no brainers and Star Wars ATOC it why the people with HD tvs have HD tvs.

Think we should mention reference tv sets too since they are hitting big now too. For tv video its CSI and Audio its Smallville. Those I won't detail. Anyway thats my 2 pennies.

[tomdkat]

HERE is a great list of movies for audio demos.

Peace...

[DVDgod237]

sorry to crap, but why are the matrix sequels demo in audio? there is almost no dynamic range, there is way too much lfe in the slow motion, and there is very little bass during the gunshots and the burly brawl.

[sub780lime]

hey sean, in that first post, we should keep a running total for each suggestion, just to get a better idea of whats being suggested the most,
ill do the math if you want me to pm you with it

[Slenderado]

I agree with Hollow Man on the NIN concert and Twin Peaks. For Video transfer I would have to put Original and Superbit Fifth Element and the Matrix Reloaded is about the cleanest transfer I've ever seen.

But for Impactful, agressive audio that will work your home theatre set up, here are a few I did not see on the list:

Brotherhood of the Wolf (French 5.1)
Underworld (5.1)
Terminator 3 (5.1)
Peter Gabriel Growing up Live (DTS 5.0)
Speed (5.0)


All of these tracks I have to play at -29 to -27 db on my receiver, where as any regular movies is in between the -21 to -15 (The man who mixed Traffic, especially the center channel, should be fired).

The original speed transfer was pretty awesome for it's time.

I like the lists I've seen so far. I hope I have contributed positively.

[Newbomb Turk]

When somebody wants to hear my A/V system now, I put in Air Force One, specifically the chapter Marshall Takes Over. They usually are impressed with the aerial battle with the loud pedal about half throttle. Used to be the beginning of Top Gun in the olden days of VHS and Pro-Logic, but IMO, the present version of Top Gun doesn't sound as good as the old VHS. As far as whole movies go? Most were already spoken for.

[Jetmon]

I would have to say the deluxe version of Final Fantasy the movie with DTS blows away many discs out there. The sound and picture are much better than the version in N.A.

[I 8 Piglet]

I just checked out Hero, the Jet Li movie. It definatly ranks up there as a reference disc.

Specifically the fight scene in chapter 6. Visually the colors are spectacular and combined with the wind effects that make proper use of the surround channels and manage to make use of the LFE channel for something other than an explosion, is really rather impresive.

[jriseden]

visually speaking...

XXX superbit

Starship Troopers superbit

Once upon a time in mexico superbit

I know alot of people claim there isnt much of a difference between superbits and regular dvds, but I swear the first time I saw my first superbit, the whole image just seemed so much more lifelike due to al the fine details in the background,all the fibers on the actors clothes, as well as seeing almost every line and wrinkle in everyones face. Now when I watch regular dvds, about 50% of them have a "hazy" look to the background that really gets on my nerves.

[incubus0]

Originally Posted by jriseden

visually speaking...

XXX superbit

Starship Troopers superbit

Once upon a time in mexico superbit

I know alot of people claim there isnt much of a difference between superbits and regular dvds, but I swear the first time I saw my first superbit, the whole image just seemed so much more lifelike due to al the fine details in the background,all the fibers on the actors clothes, as well as seeing almost every line and wrinkle in everyones face. Now when I watch regular dvds, about 50% of them have a "hazy" look to the background that really gets on my nerves.

100% depends on the SuperBit in question. Some will have a noticable difference, some not. The only thing that superbit does is allow for the transfer to be less compressed then normal because there is more room on the disc since it isn't being filled with extras. The quality difference will depend on the other version's transfer and compression compared to the SuperBit's version.

P.S. Just watched Starship Troopers in HD the other night, and holy shit! Sharp, clean, clear, vivid, beautiful.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by incubus0

100% depends on the SuperBit in question. Some will have a noticable difference, some not. The only thing that superbit does is allow for the transfer to be less compressed then normal because there is more room on the disc since it isn't being filled with extras. The quality difference will depend on the other version's transfer and compression compared to the SuperBit's version.

Once again, here is a place to see analytical comparison of some Superbit and non-Superbit titles.

Peace...

[Mrredcotn]

In order:
1. The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
2. Resident Evil (superbit)
3. Freddy Vs. Jason
4. Return of the King EE
5. Final Destination 2
6. Charlies Angels (superbit)
7. Attack of the Clones
8. Moulin Rouge
9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

[mighty mint]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

the first batch of dts Jurassic Park DVDs needing to be re-mastered.

Good news Tom, they have been and they rock! BUT I don't think I would put them on the list either.

I totally second Master and Commander [dts] and offer up some newbies that remain unlisted:

Eagles: Hell Freezes Over [dts]- an amazing concert disc with music that is so beautifully rendered you would swear they were playing in your theater room.

Gladiator [dts] - I just love the mix with both the intense action as well as the musical score. Each are delivered with fantastic clarity and balance. I also appreciate the visual attention given to the disc.

Flight of the Pheonix (2004) [dts] - love it or hate it that has to be the BEST plane crash on film EVER! My sub was pushing so much air in the room some papers fell of my coffee table...it was AWESOME! The surrounds are used fantastically as well.

Also, just for fun I will mention Reign of Fire [dts] - I love all the dragon scenes...fantastic use of surrounds...probably the best dragon ever put on screen.

I also second Band of Brothers [dts] for both sound and visual...simply stunning for a television series.

[DVD-NUTTA]

FIGHT CLUB in glorious dts-ES matrix.Plane crash scene and Car crash scene (you can here every branch snapping)
BLACKHAWK DOWN dts Every scene.
BLADE (Japanese import)dts Club blood scene.

[CompressedGravy]

Armageddeon (Criterion) - Blacks blacks blacks! They are perfect. You should never be able to see where the frame ends and the letterbox begins because then you'll here me scream.....in space.

The Cell - New Line eye candy big time. There isn't a color thats missed in any frame, unless its in the dark then well... the black is really sweet.

what ?????? armageddon is non 16x9. and looks very poor compared to what it could have been. as for the cell, i was surprised when i saw this. it's quite a bit below new line's then high(ish) standards. it's just very soft and the EE is very agressive in places. no sharp/detailed going on here (except maybe closeups).

you seem to like colours, which is fine, but they in themselves don't make a good dvd.

[DVD-NUTTA]

STEALTH -R3.In glorious dts the entire movie is an audio showcase.I think i lost some fillings with this one.I'm about as popular as a shite sandwich Sorry neighbours.
WAR OF THE WORLDS- R1 (2005) again the dts is a real show stopper the initial assault blew me away, I thought i may lose my speakers with this little beauty.
Pick up MR & MRS SMITH- R3 next week, cant wait to hear the dts soundtrack on this beast as well.