The Wire Question

[456789]

I thought I read on these boards that the Wire wouldn't be coming out in Blu Ray because of the way it was originally filmed- is this the case, and if so, does anybody know if there is anything special planned for the sd release of season 5 (besides just a normal set of all 5 seasons)?

[JadedRaverLA]

They did announce an a complete series DVD boxset, but the only special feature unique to that set is a new gag reel. So, nothing really special.

And, yeah, creator David Simon prefers the show in 4:3 standard-def... so that's likely the way it will remain, although 16:9 masters of the show exist per HBO's wishes. But I doubt we'll see any attempt at a Blu-ray release anytime soon.

[DeeEmEcks]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

They did announce an a complete series DVD boxset, but the only special feature unique to that set is a new gag reel. So, nothing really special.

And, yeah, creator David Simon prefers the show in 4:3 standard-def... so that's likely the way it will remain, although 16:9 masters of the show exist per HBO's wishes. But I doubt we'll see any attempt at a Blu-ray release anytime soon.

It was really filmed in 16:9?! I would KILL for a widescreen blu release of the Wire.

[Mobe1969]

Sigh, it is criminal when a director says stupid things like that. Joss Whedon did the same with Buffy, even though it was released in the PAL world in widescreen. I'd take a 16:9 transfer any day. And if you want it 4:3, I'm sure that could easily be encoded into the Blu Ray. I mean they have done that on DVD using black subtitle bars. Failing that, put a piece of cardboard on each side of the screen.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by DeeEmEcks

It was really filmed in 16:9?! I would KILL for a widescreen blu release of the Wire.

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

Sigh, it is criminal when a director says stupid things like that. Joss Whedon did the same with Buffy, even though it was released in the PAL world in widescreen. I'd take a 16:9 transfer any day.

In the case of the Wire, it was preferred by the show's creators (not the various directors) that the show be framed for a 4:3 standard-def presentation to give it a more gritty, documentary feel. Even the last seasons on HBO HD were upconverted from SD and left at 4:3 to maintain that look. For all the promos and weekly recaps, though, they were edited and broadcast from the widescreen masters. The film was always shot with an intended AR of 4:3, though, so many will have issue with 16:9 transfers even if it is additional material on the side.

[Majoran]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

In the case of the Wire, it was preferred by the show's creators (not the various directors) that the show be framed for a 4:3 standard-def presentation to give it a more gritty, documentary feel. Even the last seasons on HBO HD were upconverted from SD and left at 4:3 to maintain that look. For all the promos and weekly recaps, though, they were edited and broadcast from the widescreen masters. The film was always shot with an intended AR of 4:3, though, so many will have issue with 16:9 transfers even if it is additional material on the side.

Exactly, the same holds true for "The Shield"...There are 16:9 dvds of it, the show looks "off" in that aspect ratio.....You can tell that the show is supposed to be 4:3.

Simon made the decision to keep the entire series in 4:3 SD to keep the look of the show "fluid" from season 1 to season 5. I would NOT call his move stupid at all, it was more of a creative decision that IMO works for this show.....If he had gone HD 16:9 at Season 4 when he could have, I think the look and feel of the show might have been thrown off a bit.

For showing on HBOHD, HBO uses a line doubling method that upscales the picture of the show and makes the picture look great, but it is still the same source material.

While I would have loved to have this show in HD, I dont have a problem with how it was done.

[alexakajeff]

What's The Wire???? Never heard of it...