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Old 10-13-2001, 10:47 PM   #1 (permalink)
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If you could pick one DVD...

If you could pick one, and only one, DVD to show off for about 15 minutes and try to convert one of your non-dvd friends or co-workers what would it be?

I think mines would be the new superbit "Desperado"
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Old 10-13-2001, 11:03 PM   #2 (permalink)
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The entire reason I got a DVD player was to get films in widescreen, as I previously had to search all over town or specail order to get it on VHS. So, my film would be "Profondo Rosso", by Dario Argento. I believe this film has possibly the best visula work in any movie ever, and its beautifully shot in 2.35:1 For someone to imagine having to see this movie in a pan and scan VHS would turn even the most pro-pan&scan person to the way of the widescreen.

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Old 10-14-2001, 01:37 AM   #3 (permalink)
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I'd either show T2: Ultimate Edition or Fight Club.
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Old 10-14-2001, 01:57 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Titus.
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Old 10-14-2001, 02:16 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Vertigo or the 1936 version of Flash Gordon.
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Old 10-14-2001, 02:57 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Ghostbusters.

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Old 10-14-2001, 03:01 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Jin-Roh (R2 version) or the R2 Escaflowne movie (full on DTS).

The Akira transfer is nice as is the Tenchi OVA set with the 5.1 Japanese sound-track.

Blood:The Last Vampire is as crips as they come, but quite dark and not worthy of a day show. The entire Big O series (if you love Batman you'd love this series) is stellar, but lacks decent 5.1 English tracks.

Both Toy Storys are direct digital dumps as is Dinosaur.

Hmmmm. . .one disc, eh. . .hmmmm. . . .

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Old 10-14-2001, 03:44 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Hmm. It Would Either Be The Matrix OR The Ultimate Toy Box.

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Old 10-14-2001, 04:48 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Seven or Fight Club or Ghostbusters...

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Old 10-14-2001, 05:40 AM   #10 (permalink)
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I usually use the first five minutes of Toy Story 2. It has great sound and great picture quality. Additionally, I can show it without having to worry about my kids being around (like I might if I were to use The Matrix or other action movies).

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Old 10-14-2001, 07:03 AM   #11 (permalink)
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For old movies, I would have to show Citizen Kane. This is one fine presentation, especially compared to the TCM VHS I bought a few years ago.

For newer movies, I'd probably pick Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

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Old 10-14-2001, 02:32 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Seven or SW:TPM. The pod-race in 5.1 and widescreen should convince anyone....

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Old 10-14-2001, 09:52 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Heat, Air Force One, or Phantom Menace (even though I DONT have it yet!
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Old 10-15-2001, 01:40 AM   #14 (permalink)
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It would have to be Fifth Element, either the original DVD or the Superbit, they both rock!
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Old 10-15-2001, 02:09 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Either Apocalypse Now or Fantasia 2000.
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Old 10-15-2001, 02:19 AM   #16 (permalink)
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I think it would depend on who the person is. I mean, if he's one of those people who can't stand older movies that aren't in color, Citizen Kane might not be the best choice, right? So, I'd show something I know he would like. Then again, DVD might just be the thing to get him into those older movies.

In general, I think Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would make a great demo for picture. It would be especially effective after showing a clip from an old VHS copy.
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Old 10-15-2001, 02:20 AM   #17 (permalink)
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I'd say maybe Snow White, as it is a great restoration and has a wicked amount of extras.

Or maybe Ghostbusters. Even though it wasn't a restoration per se it looks like it was made in the past couple of years and has some really cool extras.

For pure performance, The Fifth Element Superbit. A fun movie with vibrant colours and a rocking soundtrack.

And finally, X-Men. It's got the THX intro which is always nice to wow people with, has great picture and audio, a few good extras, and a kick-ass easter egg.

Or Gladiator. Or Titan A.E. There are just so many good examples to choose from!

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Old 10-15-2001, 02:33 AM   #18 (permalink)
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Yup, The Fifth Element (Superbit) for overall picture and sound.

**OR**

The THX intro - T2:Ultimate Editionfor the adrenalin factor

Later,
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Old 10-15-2001, 06:05 AM   #19 (permalink)
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The THX logo intro for Phantom Menace is also pretty sweet, Its more like a updated version of the T2 one except a tad bit, how shall I say, cooler.

Those THX intros convinced my friends...

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Old 10-15-2001, 07:50 AM   #20 (permalink)
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Saving Private Ryan in DTS. The begining is an assault on the senses. It is so clear, packs a punch, and uses the surrounds perfectly. Plus, because it's the begining of the film, they don't need to know what is going on. I've already converted at least 3 people with it (those are the ones who went out the next week to buy one) plus a few more who might change soon.

You know it's effective when the guy says he only has a few minutes to watch, then he stays around and watches the whole movie. People tell me they never realy thought that the SPR intro battle was effective for them, until they see it in DTS.

If it's for video, I might change over to The Fith Element - Superbit. The colours are awsome. Although, I have a feeling that The Patriot -superbit- will be better and might become the demo of choice, if the quality is the same as for the first round of superbits.
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Old 10-15-2001, 02:53 PM   #21 (permalink)
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A Bug's Life is what sold me, and that was on a 19" set. It's excellent reference material for both video and audio.

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Old 10-15-2001, 04:21 PM   #22 (permalink)
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'The Fight Club' DVD has one of the best DD soundtracks I have ever heard! I had some people over & played the first couple of minutes, as well as the plane scene & they were blown away!
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Old 10-17-2001, 09:38 PM   #23 (permalink)
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Either T2 or The Rock (Criterion Collection)
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Old 10-17-2001, 10:30 PM   #24 (permalink)
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Beastie Boys Criterion simply because the amount of options is mindboggling. That and the audio tracks can be switched on the fly.

I'd also use Citizen Kane and Snow White to show how sweet old movies can look.

Toy Story for video demo, and Ep.1 Pod Rad for audio demo.
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Old 10-19-2001, 12:13 AM   #25 (permalink)
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for features and usage of the format i'd say T2 ULT ED, for sound Gladitor or saving private ryan in DTS and star wars for picture quality
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Old 10-19-2001, 01:23 AM   #26 (permalink)
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star wars for picture?

I think Gladiator beats TPM in picture by a lot.
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Old 10-19-2001, 06:02 PM   #27 (permalink)
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Definitely " Princess Mononoke'"
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Old 10-19-2001, 08:58 PM   #28 (permalink)
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Definitely Star Wars.... Nothing beats the podrace sequence on DVD.

I used to show the T-Rex sequence from Jurassic Park I to show off the booming bass.
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Old 10-19-2001, 09:45 PM   #29 (permalink)
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I don't think SPR or Gladiator is a good choice to show people the power of DVD and /or HDTV. Both movies were shot with a grainy texture and muted colors.
For sound, yes, for picture quality, I'd choose something else...
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Old 10-22-2001, 02:42 AM   #30 (permalink)
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"The Rock:criterian collection", "X-Men",
and "Toy Story 2". Those three discs would convince anyone to buy DVD.
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Old 10-22-2001, 01:40 PM   #31 (permalink)
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Tough question. I guess I couldn't select just one because it depends on who I am trying to convert.

The Ultimate Toy Story
Se7en
Halloween Limited Edition
Wizard of Oz
Snow White
Apollo 13
Lawrence of Arabia
Gladiator

That is just a sample. I think one of the coolest things about DVD is you can really pop any disc in, show it off (audio/video, bonus materials, etc), tell someone it usually only costs a couple dollars more than the video tape and they are sold. Anyway, I only know one person close to me who watches movies at home and doesn't have a DVD player, and he will have one by the end of the year guaranteed.

[This message has been edited by borghe (edited 10-22-2001).]
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Old 10-22-2001, 06:39 PM   #32 (permalink)
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Welcome to the forum borghe!

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Old 10-22-2001, 06:48 PM   #33 (permalink)
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Far be it from me to jump on the Star Wars bandwagon , I am going to have to agree with everyone who mentioned Episode I.
That is now the prize piece of my collection.[*]The Extras are amazing. Everything I could ask for[*]The Picture is beautiful, enough said[*]The Sound is beyon description. Remember I use Prologic, and it blows me away. And when Obi-Wan and Qui-Gonn first ignite their lightsabers, I feel it across the room

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Old 10-22-2001, 07:16 PM   #34 (permalink)
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In terms of audio and video quality this is what I would go with:

Any Superbit disc
The Pledge
Akira and Princess Mononoke for anime
Dinosaur and the Toy Stories for digital transfers
And some of