12 Monkeys video issue

[maxbond007]

I've just watched "12 monkeys" there's something wrong with the film. It's supposed to be 1.85.1 but the first minutes of the film there're back bars on the left and right of the picture as well as on top and at the bottom, then suddenly the film changes, and finally becomes 1.85.1 the black bars on the left and right of the picture have disappeared.

Did someone notice that too?

[Deciazulado]

For some reason, probably vestigial from the analog days of video many title sequences or even end credits are slightly windowboxed. Maybe that's the case here.
(Most jarring to me was the ending of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on video, where suddenly it gives the impression like somebody zoom backs the projector lens to shrink the image)

[maxbond007]

I'm surprised that the reviews never mentioned that issue.

[neo_reloaded]

Yes, I noticed it as well. It is not a glitch, it is supposed to be that way. It was like that on the 12 Monkeys HD DVD as well (and most likely DVD too). I'm not sure if that's how the film was originally shown on film, or if the windowboxing is a result of changes made for home video (happens from time to time with opening credits). Some films are truly meant to open up after a certain point in time (i.e. The Simpsons Movie, Enchanted, and others), and were shown like that in the theater as well.

[steve_dave]

As stated before its not a video issue.

Since most televisions can have overscan issues, some opening sequences or sequences & credits will be windowboxed to prevent credits from being cut off by the overscan.

Ridley Scott's Blade Runner: The Director's Cut from 1992 has the credits windowboxed to prevent the credits from being cut off by overscan.

Films presented in 1.33:1 will also have the opening credits presented in 1.37:1 to protect for overscan.

Since many new 1080p displays can display an image without overscan, it seems archaic or jarring but the number of displays with overscan issues still far outweigh the number of displays with overscan elimination options. Also, bear in mind that for overscan elimination to be an option, at least a 720p signal has to be detected.

My Sony has a Full Pixel option that elminates overscan but it only works with the HDMI connection or when it detects a 720p or higher signal coming from the component video input. I can't correct for overscan when using my all-region DVD player, Wii, or Laserdisc player.

[maxbond007]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

As stated before its not a video issue.

Since most televisions can have overscan issues, some opening sequences or sequences & credits will be windowboxed to prevent credits from being cut off by the overscan.

Ridley Scott's Blade Runner: The Director's Cut from 1992 has the credits windowboxed to prevent the credits from being cut off by overscan.

Films presented in 1.33:1 will also have the opening credits presented in 1.37:1 to protect for overscan.

Since many new 1080p displays can display an image without overscan, it seems archaic or jarring but the number of displays with overscan issues still far outweigh the number of displays with overscan elimination options. Also, bear in mind that for overscan elimination to be an option, at least a 720p signal has to be detected.

My Sony has a Full Pixel option that elminates overscan but it only works with the HDMI connection or when it detects a 720p or higher signal coming from the component video input. I can't correct for overscan when using my all-region DVD player, Wii, or Laserdisc player.

I know the Overscan problem, so for some movies the aspect ratio is changed during opening credits like the James bond movies. But concerning the "12 monkeys" I don't see the need, as the names of the staff members and actors are centered, even the logo of Universal at the begining is windowboxed.
Speaking of the James bond movies opening credit sequences, I find that strange that some movies are windowboxed and others aren't. Even stranger when it comes to the newest ones like "The world is not enough"(windowboxed) and "Die another day" (normal).

Is there an article from an expert like Bill Hunt or someone like that explaining this strange phenomenon ?

[aiman04]

It's original aspect ratio, I wouldn't call it an issue.