If you’ve ever wondered what the sticker saying ‘D-BOX motion enhanced’ on the packaging of your Blu-Ray DVDs was all about, then this is the blog for you.

D-BOX is a cunning and, to my mind at least, extraordinary system that adds impressive and utterly convincing levels of motion and vibration to movies – think top-level arcade gaming, and then some.

The D-BOX system comprises two elements; a Motion controller, and a set of actuators (powerful motors that provide the actual motion and vibration).

The entry-level two-axis configuration tilts you (and your seat) front and back, left and right. The full three-axis, four-actuator system adds up and down motion. And given that a single actuator can lift up to 250 pounds of weight, create up to four different vibrations at any given moment and generate up to 2 Gs of acceleration – all at the same time - for me, it’s the full-monty four-actuator system or nothing.

D-BOX sells its own range of seating with all of the necessary Motion equipment already built-in. Alternatively, actuator platforms are available that attach directly to your favorite chair or sofa.

Professional installation is available from an authorized installer. Alternatively, if you’re not too cack-handed, it’s not difficult to do it yourself.

Here’s how it works

Once the decision has been taken to add D-BOX motion to a movie, their motion artists write code that assigns specific motion and/or vibration sequence specifically designed to enhance each piece of action throughout the film, be it a shootout, a car chase, an explosion etc. 

(Just to give you an idea of how good these guys are at it, bear in mind that when they’re not adding the next level of movie-watching experience to the latest Hollywood blockbusters, they’re working with NASA and BMW racing on their simulator systems.)

Some Blu-Ray DVDs have D-BOX’s custom-written Motion Code directly embedded on the DVD itself, but for the majority of compatible movies, the code is stored in the Motion Controller’s hard drive, and automatically downloaded when the relevant DVD is played.

The Motion Controller connects to your DVD player and, via a control cable, to the Actuators, telling them when, how, and how much to engage in order to synchronize the motion and vibration you’re feeling through your chair with what’s happening on-screen.

Presently, there are a total of over 800 standard and Blu-Ray DVD titles that are D-BOX compatible, with new titles being added all the time (their motion codes can be downloaded to the Motion Controller via an internet connection). 

Having signed licensing agreements with several of the major home entertainment studios (Disney, Fox, Lionsgate and Sony amongst them), D-BOX look to be in it for the long haul. 

Whether the D-BOX Motion Code System is for you depends on your budget –whichever setup you opt for, it’s not cheap - and your taste in entertainment.

If you’re a fan of German expressionist cinema, chances are it’ll add little to your viewing pleasure (but then, if you’re watching German expressionist cinema, there’s not much that will). 

But if, like me, you like a good, seat-of the pants, roller-coaster blockbuster, then the D-Box will add more than a touch of Alton Towers to your home cinema setup.