HPS-4000 Stereo
MatthewLMayfield
Video captures courtesy of
Andy Summers THX Cinema and my Cats
Background
HPS-4000 Stereo is a theatrical sound system founded in 1980 by John F. Allen unded the original name Allen Surround Array. It would go under its current name in 1984. The company would be best known for being one of the pioneers of digital stereo sound in movie theaters.
Logo (October 1980-unknown retirement year)
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Visuals: On a black background, a harmonous harp theme is heard. After several seconds, it fades into a starry sky background. After a moment, the music changes to a low synth theme with jingles as the words "Welcome to the Following Presentation" appear on the upper part of the screen. Then the word "in" fades in below, and right after "HIGH PERFOMANCE STEREO™" fades in, with the last words appearing in an 80s-style computer font. Then the "H", "P" and "S" from the last three words fly towards the screen and form together as the rest of the words disappear. Then the "4000" (in the same font as the "HPS") zooms out and rests to the right of the initials with a hyphen fading in between the letters and numbers. Then a pulse appears to the left of the "H" and forms a line under the letters and numbers. The word "SOUND" flashes in underneath the line.
Technique: Traditional cel animation.
Audio: It begins with a soft, harp theme that plays in the black background and goes on as it fades into the space background. After it stops, a low-synth note with jingles that sustains itself is heard. And as the "HPS-4000" text forms, the synth ascends up in pitch before it goes into another synth hit as the pulse appears. It ends with a choir and jingles.
Availability: Appeared in theaters that were equipped with HPS-4000 sound technology and may possibly still be in use today for any theater that has the system.
