THX: Difference between revisions

{{about||other uses|THX (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox company

|name=THX

|founded=May 25, 1983 ({{age|1983|5|25}} years ago)

|parent=[[Lucasfilm Ltd.]] (1983-2002)<br>{{w|Creative Technology}} (2002-2016)<br>{{w|Razer Inc.}} (2016-present)

===Background===

{{ImageTOC

* On the <u>1997 Mexican VHS releases of the ''Star Wars'' films ''A New Hope'', ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''</u>, the "{{Font|Arial|Digitally mastered for optimal video and audio performance}}" text is translated in Spanish, reading: '''<center>{{Font|Arial|Masterizada digitalmente para una <br>óptima reproducción de audio y video</br>}}</center>''' The latter two films have slight differences, with ''The Empire Strikes Back'' having the words "{{font|Arial|'''óptima'''}}" and "{{font|arial|'''reproducción'''}}" switched, and ''Return of the Jedi'' having a period at the end of the sentence.

'''Audio:'''

*** The English surround track features the same audio from the PAL releases.

*** However, the Japanese audio track features the VHS pitch of the Deep Note (E key).

'''Availability:''' This debuted on an unknown film in late 1983, and was last seen on the ''Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures'' Blu-ray.<!--If Temple of Doom is restored as premiere, please attach a source indicating it as such-->

* On <u>LaserDisc releases starting with [https://youtu.be/8dSIcaKa5Ek?t=74 ''Highlander: Director's Cut'']</u>, the hyperspeed boost is removed. The text "{{Font|Arial|Mastered and duplicated for optimal video and audio performance}}" fades in on the {{color|#412021|dark red}} abyss, which transitions to the THX logo zooming in. Once the logo moves past the camera, the THX LaserDisc logo from "Broadway" fades and zooms inside the {{color|silver}} outlined rectangle. The THX LaserDisc logo and the {{color|silver}} outlined rectangle shine. This was used until 1999.

'''Audio:'''

* A <u>DTS end variant</u> exists where the text "{{Font|Times New Roman|Recorded in}} '''dts''' {{Font|Times New Roman|Digital Sound.}}" appears, with the "Digital Experience" print logo below. This was seen primarily in theaters with DTS systems (including the aforementioned ''Jurassic Park'') for a short time.

'''Audio:''' Some chimes and wind howling. When the background opens, wind whistles, then various ascending notes and sounds, until a ''Star Wars'' laser-gun sound and a whooshing sound occurs as the THX logo appears and ends with a choir-like version of the Deep Note. The sound for this trailer was apparently created at Skywalker Sound and, according to ''The THX Ultimate Demo Disc'', designed by David Slusser and Marco d'Ambrosio.

'''Variant:''' Compared to the scene from the original episode, the pacing of the trailer is slightly slower to fit in with the full version of the Deep Note. The colors are also more vivid, and the animation is more detailed and slightly less rough. Despite now being an official trailer, this version retains the legally distinct logo from the original scene.

'''Audio:''' The atmosphere, Grampa's dialogue, and the Deep Note. In the original scene, car horns are heard during the establishing shot of the theatre.

* The logo appeared in <u>''Variety'' magazine</u> as a promotional image, with the lights already on and Tex flying in the air.

'''Audio Variants:'''

* On the <u>''THX Theatrical Trailers: The Audience is Listening''</u> and <u>the French-exclusive ''Les Années Laser THX Trailers'' DVDs</u>, as the tagline cuts to black, a piece of text "www.thx.com" appears fading in and out. It was apparently the same one used in all of the trailers featured in the ''THX Picture and Sound Optimizer'' disc albeit the copyright info being blacked out.

'''Audio:''' Same as the previous trailer, except the Deep Note is replaced by cows mooing it (if one listens carefully, a high-pitched voice is heard towards the end of the mooing, which sounds like someone yelling "STOP!" before the sound of rumbling and cracking). The sound design is by Gary Rydstrom and Marco d'Ambrosio (who did the cow chord) according to ''The THX Ultimate Demo Disc''. A variant of the Monster THX logo (website intro only) uses some electrical sounds from the ''Terminator 2'' THX trailer, of which Rydstrom also did the sound design. Like the previous two logos, prints existed in all three digital sound formats.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background, the phrase "LET'S SEE IT IN" zooms in word-by-word at the center of the screen. Then the THX logo fades in and shines, followed by "LUCASFILM" fading in above.

'''Audio:''' A shorter version of the Deep Note that begins right before the rapid pitch change. However, new voices are added to the Deep Note and drown out most of the original voices except for the lower ones.

* A still frame of the bylineless variant is used on the opening of the <u>2007 PlayStation 3 game ''flOw''</u>.

'''Audio:''' First, there is the sounds of rainfall, and then thunderclaps/electric shocking sounds, followed by glass shattering, then the Deep Note. A laser-like sound is heard as the rectangle is formed.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there are out-of-focus movie clips on a THX logo. Some of these clips include ''Star Wars: Episode I'', ''Alien'' and ''Jurassic Park''. The logo then starts to shine as the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} outline from the Broadway trailer appears around the screen and the words "CERTIFIED CINEMA" appear under the THX logo. Everything except the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} outline fades out and is replaced by the THX website URL on the top, copyright information on the bottom, and the phrase "20 Years of Making Great Movies Come Alive."

'''Audio:''' In this order, sound/dialogue clips from the following movies are heard:

* ''Alien''^*2

* ''Star Wars: Episode I'' (again) ^{*1 *2} (the clashing of lightsabers)

* ''Back To The Future'' trilogy (Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd): "1.21 gigawatts!")

* ''Lord of the Rings'' trilogy ^*1 (the Nazgul's screech)

* ''The Mask''^{*2 (LD)} (The Mask (Jim Carrey): "Sssssssssmokin'!")

<small>*1 denotes Skywalker Sound title *2 denotes THX-certified title</small>

* Despite this trailer's objective, a <u>35mm version</u> was still created, as the transition to digital cinema was still underway at the time of its release.

'''Audio:''' A remastered Deep Note, some shining sounds, and whooshes. In this remastered Deep Note, some voices are reminiscent of the newer ones from the Broadway 2000 version, and some of the voices reach their final pitches before the others do.

* On the PlayStation 3 game ''<u>Warhawk</u>'', the logo is still and the disclaimer is absent.

'''Audio:''' The -1.5/low-pitched Deep Note from the "Tex" and "Broadway" (DVD variant) trailers. None for the still variant.

'''Trivia:''' The "LUCASFILM" text above the THX logo is visible for a split second when Shrek lifts it up. This is an editing mistake that made it to the final trailer, as this trailer was initially supposed to premiere in late 2001 when THX was still part of Lucasfilm.

'''Audio:''' The Deep Note (the descending part at first with it falling over), the instruments, and the dialogue. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy reprise their respective roles as Shrek and Donkey from the film.

'''Variants:'''  

* On the <u>2006 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05keBvsO-iY DVD]</u> and <u>HD-DVD of ''Brave Story''</u>, this logo is formatted in 1.78:1, whereas the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B12froHkp1Y Blu-ray] is 1.85:1, as compared to the version in ''District B13'' and ''THX Demo Disc II'', which is in scope.

* A 35mm variant exists for <u>theaters using 35mm projectors</u>.

'''Audio:''' A man saying "And...action!" when the clapperboard is on-screen, Tex's voice, some car sounds, and other sound effects, and the -1.5/low-pitched Deep Note from before.

'''Variant:''' On the <u>2008 DVD of ''Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull''</u> (and the 2008 DVD reprints of the other three ''Indiana Jones'' films), the Japanese Blu-ray of ''The Magic Hour'', and the ''Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy'', this logo is formatted in 2.35:1 as compared to most other releases (2008 Blu-ray of ''Crystal Skull'', ''Avatar'', etc.) containing the trailer in 1.78:1.

'''Audio:''' A variety of instruments playing in sync with each plant, performed by Low in the Sky. This ends with a less noisy version of the 2005 Deep Note, accompanied by the swoosh. Unlike the previous THX trailers, the music starts at the ending note (blended into the background instrumentation at first) and comes to a quick end rather than fading out smoothly. Mixed by Gary A. Rizzo at Skywalker Sound.  

'''Trivia:''' Horton's line "How about this?! If I get up real close, can you read me?!" was also used in the film.

'''Audio:''' The dialogue, sound effects corresponding to the animation, and the 2005 Deep Note (if one listens closely).

'''Visuals:''' On a deep cloudy background, there is a light tunnel of many {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|yellow|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|dodgerblue|b}}{{color|mediumorchid|o}}{{color|hotpink|w}} colors as well as a shadow in the distance. The shadow then emerges to reveal a {{color|silver}} and shining THX logo as well as a {{color|royalblue|crystal blue}} rectangle outline from the Broadway trailers, which zoom slowly at us. A small copyright notice is seen below the THX logo.

'''Audio:''' The 2005 Deep Note.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} trail of light fly around. It flies to an atmosphere with a {{color|darkorchid|purple}} hue. A {{color|hotpink|pink}}, {{color|dodgerblue|blue}}, {{color|darkorchid|purple}} and {{color|limegreen|green}} trail of light follows the blue trail and flies around with it. A closeup shot of the two trails of light flying is then seen. The {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|gold|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|dodgerblue|b}}{{color|mediumslateblue|o}}{{color|orchid|w}} trail of light makes some shapes with its light, while the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} trail flies around the shapes and makes some mini shockwaves. The screen then cuts to a white background but is revealed to be the back of the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} trail of light in the {{color|darkorchid|purple}} atmosphere. The {{color|red|r}}{{color|orange|a}}{{color|yellow|i}}{{color|limegreen|n}}{{color|dodgerblue|b}}{{color|mediumorchid|o}}{{color|hotpink|w}} trail of light joins the {{color|dodgerblue|blue}} trail and the two trails fly towards the THX logo, which is seen in the distance. Everything is in slow motion for a split-second, and then the two trails quickly charge towards the THX logo and reveal it. This version looks noticeably different from the other trailers of the past, due to the THX logo being noticeably thinner than normal. The THX logo shines as the two trails of light into the bottom line of the logo and causes a bright light to appear. This bright light takes up the entire screen.

'''Audio:''' Sound effects accompanying the atmosphere, followed by the Deep Note.

===19th Trailer (Eclipse) (April 4, 2015-)===

* A variant of the "CERTIFIED BY" version was spotted before every show of <u>Beyoncé's "Formation World Tour"</u>.

'''Audio:''' A redone version of the Deep Note, also done by James Andy Moorer. It sounds more synthesized than before, and is even louder than before. It starts off with the synths ascending and descending over and over again until they rapidly change their pitches. During the rapid pitch change, the clashing pitches of the lower synths cause a "rumbling" sound as the Deep Note gets louder, and the final pitch gets louder and louder as more and more synths join them at the final chord. The highest synths on the final chord create a synth organ-like sound, while the lowest synths create a deep humming sound. Mixed by Lora Hirschberg (with assistance by Gary Rydstrom) at Skywalker Sound.

'''Visuals:''' On a black background, the phrase "The Audience is Listening" fades in. It disappears by sliding to the right. The background becomes a {{color|cadetblue|bluish green}} gradient. A black line with {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} marks slides to the right of the screen and starts to gently shake. It becomes liquid and breaks up into small circles. The screen zooms through the liquid. Multiple grouped lines start swirling around in a circular motion, then forms into a 4-layered sphere. A {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} glow surrounds the sphere. It becomes liquid and opens up, revealing blue electric lines. It later explodes to fill the background with black, then zooms out in the form of the THX logo. It later fills up with metallic material, making it look normal. Some of the {{color|deepskyblue|light blue}} lines remain, then later disappear completely. Finally, two copyright notices appear:

* THX and the Deep Note sound are trademarks of THX Ltd. registered in certain jurisdictions. All rights reserved.

* This THX trailer is the property of THX Ltd. All rights reserved.

* One version seen during a <u>behind-the-scenes making of the trailer</u> shows the words "see you on the other side" in place of the copyright notice.

'''Audio:''' First, the beginning half of the 2005 Deep Note plays, then gets interrupted by whooshes, liquid sound effects, and a low synth note, followed by a choir. During the glow, the Deep Note resumes, followed by another whoosh, and an explosion.

'''Variant:''' At the <u>THX Ultimate Cinema</u>, once the THX logo is shown it continues to zoom away and a {{color|blue}} box (similar to the Broadway rectangle) surrounds it, the text "ULTIMATE CINEMA" fades in, then it fades to black.

'''Audio:''' Sounds accompanying the environments, along with descending sounds invoking the Deep Note. When the sequence starts panning through the space station, there is the Deep Note, with multiple stop-starts during the early stages. The stop-starts get faster and faster until the Deep Note converges into a single sound.

* On the <u>THX Ultimate Cinema variant</u>, the 2005 Deep Note is used.

===22nd Trailer (Tex vs. the Robot) (June 25, 2020-)===

'''Variant:''' A prototype or alternate version appears on <u>EyeBelieve's Vimeo channel</u>. The ending of the trailer is slightly different, with the Deep Note being the 2005 version instead of the low-pitched/-1.5 Deep Note. After that, a strange "powering off" sound effect plays, cutting it off.

'''Audio:''' Whirring of the flying drones, pinging, balls flying and hitting things, robotic grunts, a slamming noise and then the Deep Note (-1.5/low-pitched).