What to do pre-1953 films and series - Blu-ray Forum

kuliddar · 05-13-2008, 11:39 PM

Some colleagues and I were discussing Hi-Def stuff over lunch today and one mentionned that he had bought a whole bunch a classic films (pre-1953) lately on DVD cause he got them very, very cheap.

It got me thinking about how these films will holdup in the future. With everything in widescreen what is going to be done with those films and past tv series? Are we to crop them for a perfect 16x9 fit? That would be awful IMO (I don't think anyone would like Citizen Kane butcherd that way). Do we deal with just having them on 4:3 mode and enjoy having gray/black bars on the side? How about leaving them "streched" out a bit. I have a Panny Plasma and they have a "just" mode when you strech the image which adjusts the ratio a bit but still.

Are these films and tv series doomed to never make it on Blu-ray? Classics are still a big part of the market in sell-through and at one point, the demand for it on blu-ray will be there.

Thoughts anyone?

Alan Gordon · 05-13-2008, 11:42 PM

Some older titles were released by WB on the HD DVD format in 4x3 aspect ratio (black bars on the sides). Paramount released ST:TOS-R the same way.

It appears that WB will also be releasing "Justice League: Season One" on Blu-ray in a couple of months in the 4x3 aspect ratio as well as at least ONE of the titles mentioned above.

~Alan

Deciazulado · 05-13-2008, 11:43 PM

Academy sound movies should be 1.375 wide, 1080 x 1485 pixels.
Silents should be 1.33 wide 1080 x 1440 pixels.

Warner's Looney Tune, 8 Ball Bunny, included in the March Of the Penguins BD, is in 1.37 and looks great. Actually it looks super.

Variable · 05-13-2008, 11:47 PM

why would the aspect ratio be changed? it should stay at how it was filmed.

Marcusarilius · 05-14-2008, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuliddar

Some colleagues and I were discussing Hi-Def stuff over lunch today and one mentionned that he had bought a whole bunch a classic films (pre-1953) lately on DVD cause he got them very, very cheap.

It got me thinking about how these films will holdup in the future. With everything in widescreen what is going to be done with those films and past tv series? Are we to crop them for a perfect 16x9 fit? That would be awful IMO (I don't think anyone would like Citizen Kane butcherd that way). Do we deal with just having them on 4:3 mode and enjoy having gray/black bars on the side? How about leaving them "streched" out a bit. I have a Panny Plasma and they have a "just" mode when you strech the image which adjusts the ratio a bit but still.

Are these films and tv series doomed to never make it on Blu-ray? Classics are still a big part of the market in sell-through and at one point, the demand for it on blu-ray will be there.

Thoughts anyone?

That is a good question considering "square" TVs are quickly becoming an aspect ratio of the past. I would never streatch a movie to fit my 16 X 9. If it was filmed that way, thats all she wrote in my book. And I hope to see many square titles of older films coming our way on BD very soon!

sardaukar1977 · 05-14-2008, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable

why would the aspect ratio be changed? it should stay at how it was filmed.

agreed 100%

syncguy · 05-14-2008, 11:12 AM

Yes, the best method to watch any movie is in its OAR. However, there are many people that would like to fill the 16x9 HDTV screen. They use various methods to achieve this. Crop, non-linear-stretch etc. That is life.

The Lion King · 05-14-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable

why would the aspect ratio be changed? it should stay at how it was filmed.

Exactly.

05-13-2008, 11:39 PM	#1
kuliddar Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Saint-Hubert, Qc 4K collection:6 Blu-ray collection:253 Blu-ray reviews: 84	What to do pre-1953 films and series Some colleagues and I were discussing Hi-Def stuff over lunch today and one mentionned that he had bought a whole bunch a classic films (pre-1953) lately on DVD cause he got them very, very cheap. It got me thinking about how these films will holdup in the future. With everything in widescreen what is going to be done with those films and past tv series? Are we to crop them for a perfect 16x9 fit? That would be awful IMO (I don't think anyone would like Citizen Kane butcherd that way). Do we deal with just having them on 4:3 mode and enjoy having gray/black bars on the side? How about leaving them "streched" out a bit. I have a Panny Plasma and they have a "just" mode when you strech the image which adjusts the ratio a bit but still. Are these films and tv series doomed to never make it on Blu-ray? Classics are still a big part of the market in sell-through and at one point, the demand for it on blu-ray will be there. Thoughts anyone? Last edited by kuliddar; 05-13-2008 at 11:48 PM.

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05-13-2008, 11:42 PM	#2
Alan Gordon Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Dawson, GA 4K collection:867 Blu-ray collection:2455 DVD collection:437 MA collection:1874 Digital collection:2065 iTunes collection:4101 Prime collection:1896 Trading Score:44	Some older titles were released by WB on the HD DVD format in 4x3 aspect ratio (black bars on the sides). Paramount released ST:TOS-R the same way. It appears that WB will also be releasing "Justice League: Season One" on Blu-ray in a couple of months in the 4x3 aspect ratio as well as at least ONE of the titles mentioned above. ~Alan

05-13-2008, 11:43 PM	#3
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1159 Blu-ray collection:7046 DVD collection:4044	Academy sound movies should be 1.375 wide, 1080 x 1485 pixels. Silents should be 1.33 wide 1080 x 1440 pixels. Warner's Looney Tune, 8 Ball Bunny, included in the March Of the Penguins BD, is in 1.37 and looks great. Actually it looks super.

05-13-2008, 11:47 PM	#4
Variable Special Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Northern New Jersey Blu-ray collection:12	why would the aspect ratio be changed? it should stay at how it was filmed.

05-14-2008, 11:12 AM	#7
syncguy Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008	Yes, the best method to watch any movie is in its OAR. However, there are many people that would like to fill the 16x9 HDTV screen. They use various methods to achieve this. Crop, non-linear-stretch etc. That is life.

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