Surround Sound

(1996-2007)
Nicknames: "The Blue S", "S from Purgatory"

Logo: On a black background, we see three sets of spherical lights curving together and combining to form an S made out of indigo lines. Then underneath that, the words "SURROUND SOUND" appear in a thin font.

Trivia: The logo was created by Rod Dyer Design.

Variants: On some tapes, the logo and the music cuts off earlier than usual, or alternately, when the logo cuts off, the music remains.

FX/SFX: The two lines combining to form the S, the words "SURROUND SOUND" appearing underneath the S.

Music/Sounds: A triangle ding, a faint sweeping sound, then a "CLANG!", and then a haunting echoing female choir.

Music/Sound Variants: On monophonic VHS tracks, some of the sounds such as the sweeping sound were omitted.

Availability: Seen on most Columbia TriStar/Sony Pictures VHS tapes of movies made from 1996-2007 that are compatible with Dolby Surround, such as Big Daddy, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, and Thomas and the Magic Railroad. It was not seen on the Jumanji VHS, but a print version exists in the back cover. Also seen on a few DVDs from the time, mostly from the logo's early years.

Scare Factor: Medium to high. The eerie music, sudden start and dark atmosphere will definitely get to many, especially since this precedes the THX logo on some tapes. It could remind you of the Snee-Oosh logo.