the dark night ratio problems

[blu-rayguy]

Hi blu-ray pps just popped in the dark night about an hour ago and noticed that it starts with a 1:85:1 ratio then jumps to a 2:35:1 ratio as im flicking through it does this through out the movie ne one know of this at all

[Batman1980]

It's called IMAX footage, some of it's in there. In some parts of the movie it will switch from the native aspect ratio to the IMAX aspect ratio, it's just part of the transfer.

[groundgamer]

Some of The Dark Knight was filmed in IMAX, a higher resolution picture, with sharper detail and clearer sound. The rest of the movie was filmed in it's normal aspect ratio, hence the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen in most scenes.

[BD3Dfan]

It's not a bug on the disc. It's part of the feature, like all the others said. The director wanted the IMAX scenes retained in a form on the home release, hence the alternating aspect ratios on the BD release of the film. It helps enhance the film itself, allowing for wider views.

The only other film to use this technique, Transformers: ROTF is a uniform 2.40:1 on BD in the UK. Only the US-exclusive Big-Screen edition has the IMAX scenes.

[SymbioticFunction]

JBL4645 - I was sceptical but the ratio change works perfectly on The Dark Knight. Maybe because it reminds me of comic books? I think, in this instance, it really does enhance the viewing and impact of Nolan's movie.

I'm not convinced that it works quite so well on the Walmart Transformers 2 IMAX release, where it changes back and forth too quickly...

[BD3Dfan]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

I'm not convinced that it works quite so well on the Walmart Transformers 2 IMAX release, where it changes back and forth too quickly...

In that case, I'm glad that Transformers 2 had a uniform 2.40:1 release on BD, if the IMAX ratio jumps all over the place...

[JBL4645]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

JBL4645 - I was sceptical but the ratio change works perfectly on The Dark Knight. Maybe because it reminds me of comic books? I think, in this instance, it really does enhance the viewing and impact of Nolan's movie.

I'm not convinced that it works quite so well on the Walmart Transformers 2 IMAX release, where it changes back and forth too quickly...

Odd you should mention comic books I rather liked the filming style of Hulk where the images had like (a picture in picture) seeing front and back angles of where the characters were on the screen.

So there is no way of switching this feature off (consumer control) like some DVD titles that have theatrical and special edition on the same disc side.

I think the only way is one of you, have to provide some bluray screenshots direct not pictures off the TV. Shots before and after each, scope and IMAX shot, just a couple and not the common pictures most uses take something different.

Originally Posted by BD3Dfan

In that case, I'm glad that Transformers 2 had a uniform 2.40:1 release on BD, if the IMAX ratio jumps all over the place...

You’re kidding? No that would have me using the Bluray as Frisbee and out the window. That must be really annoying.

This is not how the films were presented in the commercial cinema forget IMAX, IMAX isn’t commercial cinema its just been slyly moulded into one with this nonsense. I want full uninterrupted 2.35:1 scope, not image jumping around as and when a director wants to show-off.

If they are going to start wasting large amounts of money on 70mm IMAX then why don’t they just resurrect regular 5pef 70mm with magnetic Dolby stereo tracks something about the magnetic analogue, type SR, that sounds great.

Its just like copping Brainstorm (1983) regular shots in W/S the P.O.V. shots like visual effects that expand outwards not sure how the 35mm print looked as I never saw this only read about it in Cinefex. The 70mm would have been the way to see and hear it.

This is like having Lawrence of Arabia in regular 70mm 5pef on indoor shots and the desert shots in 15pef IMAX. That would do my head in.

[PaulJunior]

There's a few IMAX scenes in the movie and during those scenes the ratio changes to full 16:9

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by blu-rayguy

Hi blu-ray pps just popped in the dark night about an hour ago and noticed that it starts with a 1:85:1 ratio then jumps to a 2:35:1 ratio as im flicking through it does this through out the movie ne one know of this at all

You might also notice this in Transformers 2 (although it is less frequent). Otherwise, you needn't be concerned.

[blu-rayguy]

cheers guys now i can watch it with out worrying

[stargazeruk]

Originally Posted by blu-rayguy

Hi blu-ray pps just popped in the dark night about an hour ago and noticed that it starts with a 1:85:1 ratio then jumps to a 2:35:1 ratio as im flicking through it does this through out the movie ne one know of this at all

Its not a problem its what the director for the blu-ray wanted.

He went with full the TV screen for the I-MAX footage (I-MAX i belive is 1.44:1 so it is cropped on the blu-ray to 1.78) and went with OAR (2.35:1) on the super35 scenes.

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by stargazeruk

Its not a problem its what the director for the blu-ray wanted.

He went with full the TV screen for the I-MAX footage (I-MAX i belive is 1.44:1 so it is cropped on the blu-ray to 1.78) and went with OAR (2.35:1) on the super35 scenes.

Yah Its been solved and the OP said thanks already lol

[Eidolon]

Originally Posted by blu-rayguy

Hi blu-ray pps just popped in the dark night about an hour ago and noticed that it starts with a 1:85:1 ratio then jumps to a 2:35:1 ratio as im flicking through it does this through out the movie ne one know of this at all

you didn't need to ask this here, just read the ratio info on the back of the box, it tells you about it there

[JBL4645]

Wow so you’re saying the film doesn’t play like it was seen in regular cinemas in scope 2.35:1 the region B switches aspect ratio? I thought this was an extras only that shows the so called IMAX thingy, yes I’m not interested in IMAX no more I could care less if the image was 200 feet high and 500 feet wide.

So I should avoid buying the Bluray region B?

I have it on region 2 DVD and the IMAX thingy is on second discs extras the film runs normally in scope.

If I wanted to see film that stretches outwards in horizontal "Brainstorm" (1983) was filmed in W/S and for all the POV shots the image expands outwards. I think this process was only used on 70mm not sure of the 35mm print, how that looked because I never saw it projected in its original form as it was rated 15 or AA can’t recall which year the new ratings came in?

The laserdisc only does it in the vertical plan and it doesn’t look right. The image should be made smaller and kept centred to middle then expand outwards.

[Deciazulado]

The Dark Knight Blu-ray Review

The Dark Knight Megathread

The BD kind of replicates what you saw on an IMAX theater.

If you want to see it in Scope throughout, if you have a PS3 turning the PS3's OSD might get you almost there

[General Vyper]

I was fearful when I heard about the ratio switching, I thought it might ruin my enjoyment of the movie. I couldn't have been more wrong. The full screen scenes, which are used in the outdoor shots like the traffic at the bridges and the Hong Kong aerial shots, is used to brilliant effect. The switch isn't jarring at all, and if anything enhances the movie.

Don't avoid JBL4645, you'll be missing out if you do.

[JBL4645]

Originally Posted by General Vyper

I was fearful when I heard about the ratio switching, I thought it might ruin my enjoyment of the movie. I couldn't have been more wrong. The full screen scenes, which are used in the outdoor shots like the traffic at the bridges and the Hong Kong aerial shots, is used to brilliant effect. The switch isn't jarring at all, and if anything enhances the movie.

Don't avoid JBL4645, you'll be missing out if you do.

No thanks mate.

I’ll keep the region 2 DVD with its naff PAL speed-up. There is no way I’m watching The Dark Knight with the aspect ratio switching from time to time. Damn IMAX! SIGH

Again Warner Bros Epic FAIL! They don’t stop to think!

To think I was 99% close to buying this from ASDA yesterday, whew sure glad I didn’t and yes I would be aware of the IAMX thingy spoiling the film. This IMAX should stay with its 70mm science nature history films.

For IMAX to take effect in the home you need screen that can extend floor to ceiling and side to side of the room to fully expand the image otherwise it its still too small on video projector and the common home just doesn’t have the throw distance required to do this.

Plus if you tried you’ll be in the way of the projection light image due to the angle so you want be able to get near to the screen to fully appreciate it.

My video projector can only presently throw 6 feet 2 inch wide by just over 4 feet I think, its switched off at the moment. Room is front is 9 feet 7 feet 8 inches. If I knock a hole in wall I can then stick the projector in the kitchen on platform that should give me an extra 6 to 8 inches in size.

That will still be no where near to 9 feet or floor to ceiling height.

I prefer W/S and Scope and the odd IMAX film but not feature films with silly 5 or 6 minute IMAX sequences. Its like watching a dodgy film being broadcasted on TV.