Aspect Ratios - Why Not More Customizable?

[solott55]

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but as a new member here (and assuming there are other new members here), I thought it might be worth bringing it up again.

I remember when I first got my new flatscreen I popped in a DVD and was pumped to see that the letterboxing was gone and it filled up the whole screen - as it turns out it must've been a 1.78:1 movie, and I think the next movie I rented with the gf was Titanic, and I was so disappointed to see the letterboxing back. I soon learned about aspect ratios and all that stuff and have gotten over that disappointment.

But then when I read the Transformers Walmart Imax Edition review that talked about how great those Imax full wide-screen shots were (I loved em in Dark Knight too), it got me thinking again - why can't I watch the whole damn movie that way? Especially with these gorgeous blu-rays?

I understand the idea of sticking to the Director's Vision, but at the same time, it's like, screw the director, I paid for all of that real estate on my TV and I don't want any of it going to waste! Would it really be that hard to make a 16:9 conversion an option? I can't see why it would be...

[PowellPressburger]

Um then hit the ZOOM button but I can't believe even in 2009 people still don't understand aspect ratios. It always shocks me how many people out there love zooming in on their images and cutting them up etc.

I say watch them the way they were intended or HIT the ZOOM button. My real thought it just go back to standard 4:3 tvs and build up a full screen DVD and VHS collection. That way you can use the WHOLE screen and see less.

[Rblu-Dblu]

You can zoom your tv in to get 16:9 but you'll chop off the sides of the film. They can't film entire movies in Imax because it's too expensive and time consuming.

[Blazinty]

Its called zoom on your remote. Why should studios pay to make something available that is senseless.

[OrlandoEastwood]

You are screwing yourself out of the full experience. But if you want to see a cropped movie, play around with the settings on your TV.

[progers13]

Hmm...if it bothers you so much, press the button on your remote labeled "zoom".

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by solott55

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but as a new member here (and assuming there are other new members here), I thought it might be worth bringing it up again.

I remember when I first got my new flatscreen I popped in a DVD and was pumped to see that the letterboxing was gone and it filled up the whole screen - as it turns out it must've been a 1.78:1 movie, and I think the next movie I rented with the gf was Titanic, and I was so disappointed to see the letterboxing back. I soon learned about aspect ratios and all that stuff and have gotten over that disappointment.

But then when I read the Transformers Walmart Imax Edition review that talked about how great those Imax full wide-screen shots were (I loved em in Dark Knight too), it got me thinking again - why can't I watch the whole damn movie that way? Especially with these gorgeous blu-rays?

I understand the idea of sticking to the Director's Vision, but at the same time, it's like, screw the director, I paid for all of that real estate on my TV and I don't want any of it going to waste! Would it really be that hard to make a 16:9 conversion an option? I can't see why it would be...

It would be difficult, and if it destroys the creator's vision, what incentive does he or she have to do that? Just use the zoom options on your player or TV.

There's a ton more I could get into but this discussion has honestly been done to death. Better get your flamesuit ready.

[CollinViegas]

The main reason with the imax thing going on now is you actually see more picture. As the screen opens up the other information that was captured to film is presented.

However for other movies shot in a 2.35 aspect it is not just about Directors forcing you to watch it that way. To release a 16:9 version you would loose information because all they would be doing is zooming the picture in {something you can do by yourself if you so choose to by pressing a button on your remote}

However when you do this instead of seeing more information like the director wanted you too, you are actually cutting off the sides of the image thus "downgrading" what the director intended, not enhancing it like the imax versions.

[Sponge-worthy]

[CollinViegas]

wow in the time I wrote 1 post, 6 others have answered...lol sore subject!

[solott55]

Originally Posted by OrlandoEastwood

You are screwing yourself out of the full experience. But if you want to see a cropped movie, play around with the settings on your TV.

Actually it's the $20 blu-ray that's screwing me out of the full experience of my $1000 TV.

[kpkelley]

Given the limited amount of time that the film is presented in matte format versus the amount of time present in scope, you are unlikely to ever see a fully matte version of the film.

The only way for you to fully utilize your display device and not crop the image is to get a front projector with an anamorphic lens displaying onto a 2.39:1 auto-masking screen. Short of that, you are SOL.

[solott55]

Originally Posted by ryan69969

Well, since putting every one of your TV's pixels to work seems more important than the actual content you're viewing, I would suggest that you limit your Blu-ray purchases to 1.78:1 presentations.

Bah, man you folks are touchy (and presumptuous) - no I don't care more about putting my TV's pixels to work than the content, and I certainly won't limit my Blu-ray purchases to 1.78:1 presentations, but when I read about how kick-ass the 1.78:1 scenes are in Transformers 2 (a version I can't easily access here in Canada), and see how most people pick a 1.78:1 movie to showcase thier system, it just makes me wonder why:

a) More movies aren't done in 1.78:1; and
b) Why they can't come up with a way to give people the option to watch them like that without reducing the PQ (even with the SUPREME SACRIFICE of not seeing the director's vision in its entirety).

[surfdude12]

you're asking for a customized product. the majority of movie watchers do want to see the director's intended viewing of the film. you're in the minority. yes, the black bars take up some of your screen, but did you not know this when you bought the TV?

[progers13]

Originally Posted by solott55

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but as a new member here (and assuming there are other new members here), I thought it might be worth bringing it up again.

I remember when I first got my new flatscreen I popped in a DVD and was pumped to see that the letterboxing was gone and it filled up the whole screen - as it turns out it must've been a 1.78:1 movie, and I think the next movie I rented with the gf was Titanic, and I was so disappointed to see the letterboxing back. I soon learned about aspect ratios and all that stuff and have gotten over that disappointment.

But then when I read the Transformers Walmart Imax Edition review that talked about how great those Imax full wide-screen shots were (I loved em in Dark Knight too), it got me thinking again - why can't I watch the whole damn movie that way? Especially with these gorgeous blu-rays?

I understand the idea of sticking to the Director's Vision, but at the same time, it's like, screw the director, I paid for all of that real estate on my TV and I don't want any of it going to waste! Would it really be that hard to make a 16:9 conversion an option? I can't see why it would be...

Originally Posted by surfdude12

you're asking for a customized product. the majority of movie watchers do want to see the director's intended viewing of the film. you're in the minority. yes, the black bars take up some of your screen, but did you not know this when you bought the TV?

See highlighted section in the OP's original post. Apparently he didn't.

[TTC1984]

Because it's asinine to want to see a move in anything but the OAR. Period.

[kevinbr100]

haha u guys think that someone who still doesnt get aspect ratios is gonna be able to figure out how to change the settings on his tv? then again this could be someone just trying to stir up the forums again with yet another black bars thread. it is somewhat amusing. im wondering if the black bars issue is some how genetic, i bet there is some genetic predisposition for simpleton thinking, and aggravation by details that dont fit their picture of the world, hmm could be related to some kind of obessive compulsive disorder, mild schizophrenia. i know there must be some kind of medical cause. so maybe one day we can come up with a pill to fix these guys, haha. i can see the commercial already, in some aspect ratio that has black bars. do black bars bother you? get relief now!

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by kevinbr100

i can see the commercial already, in some aspect ratio that has black bars. do black bars bother you? get relief now!

It would sell -- no question.

Serious movie buffs are all about OAR, film grain, etc. But all you have to do is check Amazon reviews to see that the "great unwashed masses" hate grain, black bars and black & white movies.

[solott55]

Originally Posted by TTC1984

Because it's asinine to want to see a move in anything but the OAR. Period.

Hey it's Hank Hill - btw, I think it's ASININE to think that anyone who doesn't share your opinion is asinine.

[PRO-630HD]

You have to get a player with multiple zoom modes like the OPPO. If scope films or 2.35:1 though you will miss alot of picture information by zooming in.