View our Home Control special coverage
Electronic House Newsletter   View sample
 
Popular Stories
View Home of the Year '09.
Recent Comments
steve (07/05, 01:35 PM)
CJ (07/05, 10:32 AM)
Photo Blanket (07/05, 08:56 AM)
Alexandria Banks (07/04, 05:35 AM)
regza fan (07/04, 02:07 AM)
Recent Slideshow Galleries
22 Demo Albums that Actually Rock DIYer Uses 2 Rooms for Full Theater Experience Columns Add Space for the Electronics Equipment Art Deco Theme Dominates Movie Palace Green A/V Limits Phantom Power Load DJ Spins Music, Movies in Graffiti Theater Rise of the Jedi Theater Acoustical Bed Makes Room Fit for A/V King Master Suite Bubbles Over with A/V Sliding-Track, Mirror TVs Sweeten Master Suite Home Gets High-Tech Overhaul in Just 2 Weeks Park the Theater Here Goodbye Ping-Pong, Hello Widescreen Theater Backyard Resort Surrounded by Sound Beach Home’s Patio Offers More Than Sunsets Home Shines in Rainbow of Colors
Info and Answers Feature
22 Demo Albums that Actually Rock
22 Demo Albums that Actually Rock
Put the sleepy jazz and classical music away—it’s time to test your audio system on all kinds of rock for you to hear in a new way.

Themed Home Theaters
View Designing a Death Star Theater
Designing a Death Star Home Theater
Three separate rooms, one starfield, and a life-sized Han Solo are just a few of the things that help two super "Star Wars" fans get their geek on in this theater.

Site Sections
Services
Product News
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ THX-Certification Sign of Things to Come?
The European HD DVD release of the Oscar-winning "Pan's Labyrinth" is the first live-action HD DVD to be THX certified, raising the question of when similarly spectacular releases will be in the U.S.
May 30, 2007 | by Arlen Schweiger

One of the most widely acclaimed movies of last year is coming to HD DVD, and it should represent the apex of what next-generation DVD can do for movie playback on home theater. It was recently announced that Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” would be the first European HD DVD to be THX certified and the only live action HD DVD disc in the world to receive such certification.

For the fantasy film that garnered Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup, “Pan’s Labyrinth” should be absolutely stunning in 1080p and THX-certified audio (any of us familiar with that booming THX bump at the beginning of some movies and George Lucas’ cinematic vision know the significance). For now though, U.S. consumers will have to settle for purchasing the European import (HD DVD is non-region encoded so it should play back fine) and wait for the states to catch up.

Further discussion of this release and its implications to U.S. viewers can be found at the Home Theater Forum.

Does this mean more THX-certified goodness on next-gen DVD formats is far behind? Early adopters of the technology, whose prices appear to be coming down to levels that could lead to more widespread purchasing (among those who don’t care about the format war decision), should hope so. 



About the Author:
Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine
Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!


This entry has been viewed 997 times.

Article Topics
Popular Tags
Social Bookmark   less


Comments (2) Most recent displayed first.
Posted by Vern  on  08/24/08  at  02:13 PM

Some very good points.  It will be very interesting to see what THX has to offer…

Posted by Alex  on  06/28/07  at  03:13 PM

We recorded the director’s commentary and edited featurettes for the DVD of Pan’s Labyrinth....



Post a Comment

Name:

Email:


View comment guidelines

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please answer the question below:

Type the first letter of the word "stereo":





Learn more about products and solutions from tech companies.
Electronic House magazine's 2009 Best Homes of the Year special.
Electronic House reviews the coolest products of the year.
Visit the Home Electronic Ideas store & get more out of your home!

Stay up-to-date with home electronics. Get your print subscription today.
Weekly email offers tips, info and product news.
Subscribe today!
Get the content that's important to you.
More about RSS.
Electronic House is now available in a digital edition. Learn more.
About us Advertise Magazine Newsletters Digital issues EH Publishing Privacy policy Contact us
 Copyright © 2006 EH Publishing. All rights reserved.
EH Network: CE Pro TecHome Builder ChannelPro ProSoundWeb Church Production Electronic House Expo Worship Facilities Expo