The X-Files series - 4x3 vs 16x9

[frogmort]

The X-Files was shot in the Super 35 film format and was originally aired in the 4x3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, but was protected for 16x9 (1.78:1). This poll is for you to vote on your preference as to how you would like to see the tv show presented on blu-ray.

According to this interview with Director of Photography John Bartley who started on the second episode of season one: "We shot The X-Files in Super 35 format and framed for 4:3. We protected for 16:9, because we knew it was coming."

If you look at some of the screenshots in The X-Files thread, you can see that a new high definition transfer has been made in 16x9 for airing on tv. In order to go to a 16x9 aspect ratio, some cropping on the top and/or bottom of the frame has been done and the sides are opened up considerably more. Another thing to note is that some/all of the establishing shots and effects shots have been upscaled and cropped.

So would you rather have the original aspect ratio the way it was broadcast on tv with pillarbox black bars on the sides instead of the side information that was protected for, but not necessarily composed for the scene, or would you rather have the sides opened up to reveal more picture information horizontally, but at the cost of losing some information at the top and/or bottom of the image? It would be ideal if they would open up the sides without cropping the top and bottom to something like a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, but unfortunately I'm pretty much positive that Fox is only considering 4x3 or 16x9, so I didn't include it as an option.

The screenshots are from a new airing of The X-Files in high definition on a German tv network and may or may not be indicative as to how the show will look on blu-ray. Please check out some of the screenshots and vote on your preferred choice.