Surround Sound

(October 8, 1996-2006)


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 earlier 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 onward 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 first appeared in print form on the back cover of the Jumanji VHS, while Race the Sun marks its first onscreen appearance. Also seen on a few DVDs from the time, mostly from the logo's early years.

Editor's Note: This logo has been fairly popular among Sony fans, but has also been known for its eerie audio scaring some.