The Shield: The Complete Series (2002-2008)

[Morten3251]

I've enjoyed watching this show in 1080p widescreen and generally think this is a very good, yet very flawed box-set. However once I took the show with me on my old 4:3 dumbphone, it was very clear to me how tight and precise the framing of the show was supposed to be. If you're in doubt, just look at the opening title screen of the badge - and how much dead air the framing allows in the 16:9 version.
I went on YouTube to find a specific clip describing my initial reaction to watching the show in fullscreen 4:3, but instead I found this remix from Breaking Bad, which seems like all my reactions to this box set boiled down into one tight little package:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KdBA--DMNQ

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

While I think Bates is taking the issue a bit far, I definitely recommend at least giving the show a try at 1.33:1 if your TV has that display option. I can't watch it for more than a few minutes like that because the fella I'm watching it with gets the vapours, but the framing is really playing tight, with not a wasted pixel. It can feel oppressive if you've only seen the show at 1.78:1, but give it a shot.

A bit far? Every screams that theatrical films should always be OAR, but when it comes to TV — which is shot and composed the same way — people think it's ok to change the entire look and feel. So no, it's not "too far." It's respecting the show as it was composed, shot and aired.

But if if anyone's okay with revisionist aspect ratios, then we should go and alter the films they love then watch them throw a hissy fit because OAR should always be preserved.

But again, it's not only that, but the fact that people don't understand what composition is, and how important it is. I guess they think the DP just sets up a camera and shoots whatever, but sorry to tell people, that's not how it's done. Framing and composition ARE what makes the OAR, and when you alter that, you change the entire look and feel of the image. It's just sad people still don't get it, yet want to argue and pretend that they do.

And I watched the entire show on blu - and the dead space on the sides really killed some of the scenes, and showed people standing just out of frame that weren't even supposed to be in the scene yet. It just shouldn't have been done, or in the least, they should've offered the actual OAR versions as well.

Originally Posted by Morten3251

I've enjoyed watching this show in 1080p widescreen and generally think this is a very good, yet very flawed box-set. However once I took the show with me on my old 4:3 dumbphone, it was very clear to me how tight and precise the framing of the show was supposed to be. If you're in doubt, just look at the opening title screen of the badge - and how much dead air the framing allows in the 16:9 version.

Exactly. opening up the frame to show stuff that was never in the original compositions changes the entire feel of the claustrophobia the OAR presents with its tight shots and compositions. The drama is still there, but it's certainly diminished just because people need to "fill their TVs."

[Renascent]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

A bit far? Every screams that theatrical films should always be OAR, but when it comes to TV — which is shot and composed the same way — people think it's ok to change the entire look and feel. So no, it's not "too far." It's respecting the show as it was composed, shot and aired.

But if if anyone's okay with revisionist aspect ratios, then we should go and alter the films they love then watch them throw a hissy fit because OAR should always be preserved.

But again, it's not only that, but the fact that people don't understand what composition is, and how important it is. I guess they think the DP just sets up a camera and shoots whatever, but sorry to tell people, that's not how it's done. Framing and composition ARE what makes the OAR, and when you alter that, you change the entire look and feel of the image. It's just sad people still don't get it, yet want to argue and pretend that they do.

And I watched the entire show on blu - and the dead space on the sides really killed some of the scenes, and showed people standing just out of frame that weren't even supposed to be in the scene yet. It just shouldn't have been done, or in the least, they should've offered the actual OAR versions as well.



Exactly. opening up the frame to show stuff that was never in the original compositions changes the entire feel of the claustrophobia the OAR presents with its tight shots and compositions. The drama is still there, but it's certainly diminished just because people need to "fill their TVs."

Since they filmed for Widescreen safe I would presume the 4:3 image is always in the middle of the screen. While not the most consumer friendly option, you should be able to rip and cut the image to the aspect ratio you want. It is harder to add removed frames or increase the bitrate (doh).
Please... do everyone here a favor. Rip an episode or two and compare the result with the dvds.
Yeah yeah, you "shouldn't have to do that", but at least it is an option you got.

[phobicsquirrel]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

A bit far? Every screams that theatrical films should always be OAR, but when it comes to TV — which is shot and composed the same way — people think it's ok to change the entire look and feel. So no, it's not "too far." It's respecting the show as it was composed, shot and aired.

But if if anyone's okay with revisionist aspect ratios, then we should go and alter the films they love then watch them throw a hissy fit because OAR should always be preserved.

But again, it's not only that, but the fact that people don't understand what composition is, and how important it is. I guess they think the DP just sets up a camera and shoots whatever, but sorry to tell people, that's not how it's done. Framing and composition ARE what makes the OAR, and when you alter that, you change the entire look and feel of the image. It's just sad people still don't get it, yet want to argue and pretend that they do.

And I watched the entire show on blu - and the dead space on the sides really killed some of the scenes, and showed people standing just out of frame that weren't even supposed to be in the scene yet. It just shouldn't have been done, or in the least, they should've offered the actual OAR versions as well.



Exactly. opening up the frame to show stuff that was never in the original compositions changes the entire feel of the claustrophobia the OAR presents with its tight shots and compositions. The drama is still there, but it's certainly diminished just because people need to "fill their TVs."

Since they filmed the series in widescreen it would be assumed that it was intended to be in that format which is what I've said all along. That was not a thing on tv when it aired so they made it 4:3. So it was modified to that which would mean it wasn't the oar. I'm sure a lot of shows/films are tighter cropped but thankfully tv has moved away from that. Xfiles for instance wasn't intended to be in widescreen just like star trek tng wasn't. I mean this argument is a bit filled with holes in terms of the shield. If they blew the image up to fill the screen I'd agree with you, like the Simpson's hd of early seasons. Yet that isn't the case here.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

While I think Bates is taking the issue a bit far, I definitely recommend at least giving the show a try at 1.33:1 if your TV has that display option. I can't watch it for more than a few minutes like that because the fella I'm watching it with gets the vapours, but the framing is really playing tight, with not a wasted pixel. It can feel oppressive if you've only seen the show at 1.78:1, but give it a shot.

What TV do you have that does that?

[balthazar_bee]

Oh goodness, she's an old girl -- a 46" Panny plasma from about eight years ago -- but damn if she's not still as beautiful as the day I met her. I'm actually thinking I should replace it while I'm still able to buy a display that doesn't feature some bullshit IoT nonsense that can't be circumvented.

As someone who cherishes not having a home internet connection, I live in perpetual dread of the future.

[hilfderk13287]

Bates, quit talking out of your ass. I can google "Shawn Ryan the Shield Widescreen" and this is result number three.

[DVD Josh]

I won't agree with Bates on anything on principal, but I personally think this show looks a lot tighter in 1:33.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

Oh goodness, she's an old girl -- a 46" Panny plasma from about eight years ago -- but damn if she's not still as beautiful as the day I met her. I'm actually thinking I should replace it while I'm still able to buy a display that doesn't feature some bullshit IoT nonsense that can't be circumvented.

As someone who cherishes not having a home internet connection, I live in perpetual dread of the future.

I would give up body parts to get a (new) TV or disc player that can actually side-matte a 16:9 signal.

[Morten3251]

Even though we're getting way off topic, this is why I'm still using my old PC as my main media center. It allows for all kinds of tweaks, so I'm not dependent on what my TV will allow. Like trying out The Shield in 4:3.
I don't know what I'll do if I ever decide to get a 4k TV, though.

[Renascent]

I just got my set, sadly it didn't escape customs. Here are my thoughts after 4 episodes:

• Could the show have benefited from higher bit rate? Yes. If they ever re-release it with higher bit rate, would I buy it? Probably. Is it better than the dvd? Yes!
• Seems like most of the sound are coming from the center channel. The back channels has some music/ambient/background noise, but not really super active during the show. Would I rather have the dvd track? Nah, I'm good. I looked at Friends and they had audio issues which in my opinion are worse than what the Shield got.
• 4:3: There maybe 3-6 times during an episode where I go "Yeah, this is really framed for 4:3, but the image usually last for 2-5 seconds and doesn't remove my joy from watching an episode.* Keep in mind that this is when I'm actively looking for frame compositions, which I rather not want to do because I want to enjoy the show and not look for flaws.
• The boxset look really nice. Some people prefer amarays, but I'm glad we didn't get the amaray travesty that is the Black Sails box set.
• Disc 1 is region free, I hope that goes for ALL the discs That is a huge + in my book.

Bates' world is only black and white. He doesn't understand that people see a difference between how aspect ratio was handled for Seinfeld vs the Shield. Besides as everyone else has point out, me included, which Bates still ignores; This specific aspect ratio issue is fixable by user to user basis. You can't fix Seinfeild's issue, which makes Seinfeild's issue worse than any complaints one would have about the Shield.

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I would give up body parts to get a (new) TV or disc player that can actually side-matte a 16:9 signal.

Geez, I'm kinda bummed out to hear that this isn't a standard feature. It's come in handy many a time.

[Renascent]

So far my biggest complaint is this at 07:35 at S02E12. The problem didn't exist on my dvd, but it occurred on both my computer and PS3. Anyone else noticed the same?



In terms of dvd audio and bd, my eu dvds has 192kb/s AC3 sound. The UNIT dvds has twice the bit-rate. Does the dvds really have a distinct stereo output or is it "mono" in two channels? I caught one episode recap where they sent all the audio through all channels (voices), while the other recaps seems to be ok with voices only coming from the center channel.

[quack75]

Originally Posted by Renascent

So far my biggest complaint is this at 07:35 at S02E12. The problem didn't exist on my dvd, but it occurred on both my computer and PS3. Anyone else noticed the same?

same issue here

[hilfderk13287]

What's going on here?

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by hilfderk13287

What's going on here?

It’s the infamous “Acid flashback” scene that wasn’t included in the broadcast but is presented for the first time on this set.
Here’s the thing, if you blink you’ll miss it. So be careful.

Or it appears to be a technical blip?

You decide.

[malicedoom]

Interesting.

[Batman90]

So any info on when Shawn will issue a replacement program or did he lie about that to just to make people forget about it?

[Jlouisbarrett]

Originally Posted by Batman90

So any info on when Shawn will issue a replacement program or did he lie about that to just to make people forget about it?

Yes, because telling people that he’s actively working with Sony to get some answers and a resolution, and that people should essentially sit tight for more information... is a great way to get people to “forget about” something and make it all go away.

I’m sure he’s just as frustrated with slow-moving studio bureaucracy as you are and he’ll update everyone when he has more information, as he previously stated.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Batman90

So any info on when Shawn will issue a replacement program or did he lie about that to just to make people forget about it?

He lied, but only to you, because you think the world revolves around you.