Best in Show: High-Def DVDs

A quick list of the best Blu-ray and HD DVD titles to inaugurate (or augment) your high-def library.

An explosion of high-definition discs from competing formats Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD is bringing the movie theater experience home - in “Full HD” 1080p resolution and with high-performance multichannel soundtrack formats like Dolby Digital Plus. And let’s remember that Blu-ray and HD DVD leave plenty of room for bonus features, even those enabling Internet access. Regardless of which format you have, there are some titles that stand apart from the rest and command attention. Here are the ones we will deem “Best in Show”.



Best Visual Presentation
Star Trek: The Original Series - The Complete First Season - Kirk and Spock get a makeover that brings out their best close-ups since the Enterprise first went to warp speed. You’ll spend hours watching these classic episodes, now that they’ve been restored with brilliant color and exacting detail, which isn’t limited to the ship and actors but replaces poorly done visuals of starships, phaser blasts and alien landscapes. Paramount Home Entertainment, HD DVD Combo, $194. Read Review.

Ratatouille - Director Brad Bird’s eye for perfection propels this animated film to the forefront of home viewing. It’s a visual feast filled with succulent food, lush scenery and sympathetic characters, all inhabiting a Paris lovingly recreated in high definition. Every detail, from cobblestones to bubbling pots, is distinct and sharply defined. You’ll be hard-pressed not to make a reservation to watch it over and over again. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Blu-ray Disc, $34. Read Review.

Best Audio Presentation

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