Superbit
BreadCrustCouncil
Background
Superbit was a line of DVDs produced by Columbia TriStar Home Video, and later on Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, first introduced in 2001. The video of each movie on DVD increased the bit rate, resulting in a higher-quality picture; however, to make room for the better-looking visual quality on the disc, special features and other extras were removed (although some releases did have special features as a separate disc; these were called Superbit Deluxe). In 2007, Sony discontinued the brand due to low sales and so they could focus more on Blu-ray.
Logo (October 9, 2001-November 30, 2004)
Visuals: A blue background with lots of streams of numbers fades in, with a "burst" of circular lines emanating from the center of the screen. At the same time, large, silver letters (resembling brushed steel) reading "SUPERBIT" flies in from the right side, the letters rotating and flipping. As the letters reach the center of the screen and turn to face the camera head-on, four large steel plates swoop in from each corner, also containing part of a rounded rectangle. As the plates meet, the SUPERBIT lettering moves into the center surrounded by the rectangle, and the background is filled with another brushed steel looking backdrop. The letters then stop rotating, forming the Superbit logo.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A dramatic synth tune with lots of whooshing noises.
Availability: Only seen on Superbit titles, like Charlie's Angels, The Fifth Element, and The Dark Crystal among others in the US (there were many other Superbit titles released only in Japan, Europe, or Korea, like first two Ghostbusters films). These can be easily distinguished from their normal DVD releases by the large metallic "frame" surrounding the artwork on the DVD cover, with a Superbit logo atop.