List of Vudu Movies with Incorrect Aspect Ratio

[Chiefy]

The trailer of Arachnophobia appears to be in 1.33:1, same when previewed on Amazon and Google. Is the correct ratio of 1.85:1 used for the actual movie when owned? Maybe 1.78:1 to fill a 16x9 HD screen?

[xbs2034]

Just an FYI, Amazon is listed as incorrect for A Few Good Men, but that's not 100% right. The standard version is 16x9, but the UHD (even when viewed on an HD device) is scope as that's from a different transfer. I got both versions ported in from MA when I redeemed the UHD disc there.

Similarly, I have a feeling Batman Begins may get changed to scope on VUDU any day now, as the Nolan digital films are starting to get new transfers.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Just an FYI, Amazon is listed as incorrect for A Few Good Men, but that's not 100% right. The standard version is 16x9, but the UHD (even when viewed on an HD device) is scope as that's from a different transfer. I got both versions ported in from MA when I redeemed the UHD disc there.

Similarly, I have a feeling Batman Begins may get changed to scope on VUDU any day now, as the Nolan digital films are starting to get new transfers.

I haven't yet picked up the UHD set for A Few Good Men, but it's good to know that the UHD code give the 2.39 version. I just checked my Amazon version, and I still only have the cropped one (mine was obtained through Vudu).

I also wonder if Batman Begins will get corrected with the new UHD transfers.

Thanks for the new info!!!!

[Swissangel4616]

i suppose those incorrect Format via digital/download has something to do for mobile devices and Pc/Laptops/ipads.. because their Screen are already small - compared with a 16:9 TV (and whatever size/zoll they have)

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by Swissangel4616

i suppose those incorrect Format via digital/download has something to do for mobile devices and Pc/Laptops/ipads.. because their Screen are already small - compared with a 16:9 TV (and whatever size/zoll they have)

I think maybe in some respect, for streaming services especially (where the expectation is to a mobile device). But for Vudu, intended for TV displays, they were just on conscientious. These 16:9/1.78 versions are broadcast (cable) TV versions. Many play at 2.39 for the credits, then zoom and crop after that to 1.78

When you mention "zoll", I find it funny. Here where I am now (in the U.S.), I understand that they still use inches, but in Germany, HDTV screens would be indicated as 50 zoll HDTV usw, ist es in der Schweiz auch so?

[Swissangel4616]

Originally Posted by crackedknee

I think maybe in some respect, for streaming services especially (where the expectation is to a mobile device). But for Vudu, intended for TV displays, they were just on conscientious. These 16:9/1.78 versions are broadcast (cable) TV versions. Many play at 2.39 for the credits, then zoom and crop after that to 1.78

When you mention "zoll", I find it funny. Here where I am now (in the U.S.), I understand that they still use inches, but in Germany, HDTV screens would be indicated as 50 zoll HDTV usw, ist es in der Schweiz auch so?

YES. I would say: 50:50
it's always a bit confusing :-D

they do it specially when the Shops want selling small Screen / TV and presenting them 38" as a big one

[crackedknee]

To Catch a Thief is now correct in Vudu

I revised my list at the bottom of the previous page with a couple entries, Cahill and An Affair to Remember (which is, notably, finally correct in one service, Movies Anywhere)

[dunnbluray]

I have a thread on Vudu for Paths of Glory incorrect Aspect Ratio. If other people could post to it, it may get more traction.

https://forum.vudu.com/forum/vudu/ge...video-squished

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Just an FYI, Amazon is listed as incorrect for A Few Good Men, but that's not 100% right. The standard version is 16x9, but the UHD (even when viewed on an HD device) is scope as that's from a different transfer. I got both versions ported in from MA when I redeemed the UHD disc there.

Update: I redeemed my code for A Few Good Men at Sony, and got the correct aspect ratio streaming through Sony's site (though it is still incorrect in the other services, except MA)

As noted above, redeem of the code in Movies Anywhere will not get you UV rights, but will get you UHD and the correct aspect ratio in Amazon

[crackedknee]

REVISED LIST 1/30/2019 (added a few details/updates)

I did some testing of items I own. All of these are 2.35/2.39/2.40 etc depending on the movie, any exceptions will be noted in (parenthesis), and all are still incorrect in Vudu.

So, this short list of items indicates in which service the movie plays in the correct aspect ratio, and in which service(s) it plays incorrectly (1.78)

A = Amazon, MA = Movies Anywhere, FN = FandangoNow

Absolute Power (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Affair to Remember (A) incorrect (MA) correct (FN) incorrect
Amelie (A) unknown (MA) unknown (FN) incorrect, UV and not correct in any UV service
Batman Begins (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct, UHD correct in Vudu
Ben-Hur (1959, 2.76) (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Blazing Saddles (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Blood Work (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Cahill US Marshal (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) no play
Christopher Robin (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Crazy Stupid Love (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1.85) (A) incorrect (MA) correct (1.78) (FN) incorrect
Dial M for Murder (1.85) (A) incorrect (MA) correct (1.78) (FN) incorrect
Die Hard 2: Die Harder (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) incorrect
Dirty Harry: Magnum Force (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct, CORRECT in Vudu
Dirty Harry: Sudden Impact (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Dirty Harry: the Enforcer (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Drive (A) incorrect (MA) incorrect (FN) no play, INCORRECT ALL SERVICES
Enter the Dragon (A) incorrect (MA) correct (FN) correct
Few Good Men (A) incorrect (MA) correct (FN) incorrect, *HD only, UHD differs, see note below*
Frankenstein (1931, 1.39) (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct, stretched in Vudu
Funny Girl (A) correct (MA) incorrect (FN) correct, CORRECT in Vudu
Green Lantern (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Insomnia (2002) (A) correct (MA) correct FN) correct
Italian Job (1995) (A) unknown (MA) unknown (FN) correct
Lolita (1.66) (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Mad Max Road Warrior (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Matchstick Men (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Outlaw Josey Wales (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Pale Rider (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct
Ride the High Country (A) unknown (MA) unknown (FN) correct
Saboteur (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct, stretched in Vudu
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) no play, CORRECT in Vudu
Shadow of a Doubt (1.39) (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct, stretched in Vudu
Wild Bunch (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) no play
Woodstock (1970) (A) correct (MA) correct (FN) correct, CORRECT in Vudu (pillarboxed but only during sections filmed at that ratio and to accommodate the 2.40 ratio)

no play means either did not transfer from UV locker to FN (e.g. Drive), or did not transfer from Vudu to MA/Amazon

A few bold and underlined titles above are correct for the first time ever, and in the services indicated above.

Unfortunately Ride the High Country does not yet port to MA/Amazon, and so no way of knowing yet if correct in those services or not

* A Few Good Men 4K/UHD code redeemed at Sony gets you UV and the correct aspect ratio streaming through Sony's site, and all services that stream it UHD have the correct aspect ratio (Amazon, Movies Anywhere, and Vudu)

[Chiefy]

Is The Apartment still in the incorrect AR? I won't buy it unless I'm sure.
Thank you if you have an answer.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by Chiefy

Is The Apartment still in the incorrect AR? I won't buy it unless I'm sure.
Thank you if you have an answer.

Took a while to see this post and get the info, but The Apartment (1960) plays 2.39 for the credits, but once the movie start zooms and crops to 1.78

[hanshotfirst1138]

I have MA, and FandangoNow, Vudu, & Amazon Prime ALL have Drive in the wrong ratio. I don't get it.

[dunnbluray]

Originally Posted by dunnbluray

I have a thread on Vudu for Paths of Glory incorrect Aspect Ratio. If other people could post to it, it may get more traction.

https://forum.vudu.com/forum/vudu/ge...video-squished

After multiple posts regarding this movie, it has been fixed. Paths Of Glory now plays in the correct Aspect Ratio.

[cheez avenger]

Is Abel Ferrara's China Girl in the correct aspect ratio? Outside of the import it's not available on BD and the HDX copy is only $5.99.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

I have MA, and FandangoNow, Vudu, & Amazon Prime ALL have Drive in the wrong ratio. I don't get it.

I've complained, but I think the problem for this lies in Sony. Someday I'll try complaining to Sony, but that supposes that they will send a corrected scan to all those services.

[hanshotfirst1138]

How many encodes do they make? I’ve never understood how there can be one source like Amazon where things are correct, and another where there’s not. Apparently fixing Vudu’s aspect ratios is a very complicated process; they almost never do.

[JMDiaz718]

The Towering Inferno aspect ratio is correct in MA. Vudu's copy is incorrect. With this new MA/Fox move, Vudu's will probably never get fixed. BTW, the sound on Vudu's is horrible too.

Kingdom Come, another Fox movie, has poor sound quality as well. Probably won't get fixed either.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

How many encodes do they make? I’ve never understood how there can be one source like Amazon where things are correct, and another where there’s not. Apparently fixing Vudu’s aspect ratios is a very complicated process; they almost never do.

In cases like this, they make two. One is the normal encode, the other is a "broadcast" encode that often cable channels use. The theory is that cable consumers are a general audience, and majority are assumed to be so stupid as a whole, that they would complain about black bars on their 16:9 TVs as a glitch and/or a severe annoyance. It is believed that this group can't be reasoned with to accept anything out of ordinary (those black bars) and exceeds the group which would object to incorrect aspect ratios. (I'm not making this up, this is an actual business decision that gets justified like that).

So the point being, Vudu (for example, and the worst offender) has a large selection of movies. If they obtain an encode that is a broadcast encode, then that's it (from their view, they've provided the movie, end of story).

So then people start complaining about an incorrect aspect ratio version. But clearly Vudu has an issue with budget and/or expenditure with regards to their tech team. It's hard to predict what they might be trying to avoiding paying for the most. Could be avoiding extra tech to solve problems, could be avoiding paying to obtain a correct encode (frequently Vudu says that they are using the encode that the studio provided, not their fault, and yet, another service will have one that IS correct, so. . . .)

In any case, I would guess that they hope to avoid for as long as possible any expenditure (any effort will involve some kind of expenditure) that they hope can be ignored, based in part on the example of the cable customers above (that there enough who don't care, to warrant doing nothing).

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by JMDiaz718

Kingdom Come, another Fox movie, has poor sound quality as well. Probably won't get fixed either.

Sound quality is also another issue with some movies that we often sort of overlook, but we should not ignore. I do hear from time to time that Vudu will update an encode with one having better audio. But it's also a problem they often ignore.