When it comes to showcasing the capabilities of a high-performance home cinema, selecting the right content is crucial.
Kapes Patel, Business Development & Technical Director at Pulse Cinemas, explains, “The main aim is to choose content that really shows off what the system is capable of and builds desire in the customer by impressing them with just how good home cinema really is. If they are new to the sector, this is very powerful; remember the first time you experienced a fully specified and properly set-up system? It’s a memorable experience and something customers want to repeat. Even if you have a customer who is a home cinema ‘veteran’, advances in performance and design approaches in recent years will still be able to impress viewers.”
Currently, at Pulse Cinemas HQ, some of the go-to titles are Top Gun: Maverick and the Dune series, celebrated for their epic soundscapes, stunning visuals, and immersive storytelling. Blockbuster films, especially the latest releases, offer a high-octane display of what home cinema systems can really do. Top Gun’s adrenaline-pumping aerial sequences, enveloping Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and breathtaking cinematography give any home cinema a chance to show off its full potential. Likewise, the expansive world of Dune—with its rumbling bass and intricate sound design—offers a stunning test for the dynamic range and immersive capabilities of a home cinema setup.
Kapes says, “Whatever the variation in the personal tastes of potential customers, demonstrations like these underline just how good the system is, and that will translate. We also find that customers are impressed when we can show something ‘new,’ soon after the theatrical release or, with a system like Kaleidescape, sometimes at the same time. This helps to create excitement that something special or exclusive is happening, matched by the high performance they are going to experience; this is a powerful combination.”
Whatever titles are chosen for demonstration, it’s important to select ones that showcase all aspects of what the system can do.
Kapes mentions that Top Gun: Maverick has some excellent scenes for showing off immersive audio as the jets fly around, creating an opportunity for a strong system to synchronize the visuals and sound effects, pulling the viewer into the movie. Another favourite, Dune, has great sequences for demonstrating what a modern system can do with bass, particularly the power of WaveForming from Trinnov.
Kapes adds, “As well as the latest blockbuster movies, search for some titles from your own viewing history that you have been impressed by and are confident will showcase some of the best aspects of the experience. One of my favourites is the sci-fi thriller Lucy. There are several strong scenes that we use to underline various aspects of a system’s power. I often use the lab scene towards the end of the movie to show off strong imaging, particularly great skin tones. The scene has lots of white that contrasts with the different skin tones of the various actors, which really demonstrates what good, up-to-date imaging tech can achieve.
“In the same part of the movie, there are sequences that showcase very clear dialogue. Morgan Freeman, one of the stars, has an incredibly distinctive voice, and these sequences allow the audience to appreciate how clear and easy-to-understand the voices are, pulling them into the story. Look for some scenes that you’re sure can deliver similar results. “It’s also worth remembering that if you choose a system like Kaleidescape as your source, you are allowing all the other equipment to reach its full potential. Streaming has ‘improved,’ but we have done comparisons between Apple TV 4K and Kaleidescape, and there is no contest; the audio, in particular, is on another level.”
For clients who appreciate something different, it’s worth remembering the impact of music concerts. Whether it’s a recording of an iconic concert like Roger Waters: The Wall or a more contemporary live performance, music-based content can be an incredibly powerful demonstration of a home cinema’s audio performance, adding an emotional connection that is often even more impactful than a traditional movie soundtrack.
Remember, our demo facilities are open and available for all our customers across the Invision | Pulse Cinemas real estate. Get in touch to make an appointment for yourself and your next customer.
