Blu-ray demo discs abound

Q I have a new HDTV with a Blu-ray player and a high definition surround-sound receiver. Do you have recommendations for good Blu-ray demo material?

BOB GREEN, STATE COLLEGE, PA.

A The studios are starting to open the floodgates on Blu-ray titles. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it should help get you started.

Disney is regarded as perhaps the most technically proficient of the studios, with great audio and video throughout its Blu-ray offerings. "The Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy is a staple, as are the Pixar movies "WALL-E," "Cars" and "Ratatouille." "WALL-E," in particular," is a Blu-ray tour de force.

Sci-fi and fantasy fans will find much to love. Stanley Kubrick's classic "2001: A Space Odyssey" benefits from a 70-millimeter original print and a top-notch restoration. Another classic, the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still," is not only chock full of neat extras, but the sharpness, contrast and detail also really make the movie come alive. The same can be said for the original "Planet of the Apes," as well as "Blade Runner" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." "Transformers" is a high-def treat. And let's not forget the "Harry Potter" movies.

"The Dark Knight," "Batman Begins," "Iron Man," "Spider-Man 3," "Superman," "Superman Returns," both "Fantastic Four" movies and "The Hulk" are great for superhero fans. The 1960s' "Batman: The Movie," with Adam West and Burt Ward, is fun, too; you will see details in their costumes that you never saw on TV.

War film fans should check out "Patton," "The Dirty Dozen," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima" and "Band of Brothers."

The crime dramas "The Godfather" trilogy, "Dirty Harry" and "Eastern Promises" are highly recommended.

Action lovers will delight in "The Mummy" films, "Twister" and "The Kingdom."

Great kids movies include "The Spiderwick Chronicles," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Madagascar."

Need some laughs? There's "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein," "Knocked Up," "Blades of Glory," "Drillbit Taylor" and "Tommy Boy."

"Hairspray" and "The Phantom of the Opera" are perfect for musical lovers.

Some great documentaries are the BBC's award-winning "Planet Earth" and "Baraka." If you love space and aviation, Image Entertainment's "When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions" and "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" are not to be missed.

Finally, be sure to select the high-def audio track when you play movies. Enter the pop-up menu and select the audio or languages option. The high-def track is called Dolby TrueHD, DTS Master Audio or PCM.

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