X-Files (series) coming to Blu in ... I want to believe

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by jwb79

I'm a supporter of the 16:9 ratio. My reasoning is because Ten Thirteen (production company ) shot The X-Files episodes in 16:9 but the Fox network refused to air them in widescreen but chose the 4:3 ratio instead. Their artistic intention was to have it viewed in widescreen. Later when medical dramas (ER/Chicago Hope) aired in widescreen format Fox decided that The X-Files should be broadcast in widescreen as well.

Look I can accept people prefer the 16:9 ratio and that's fine, but making up reasons to justify it as some sort of artistic intent is insulting to the filmmakers and the framing of the show which was perfectly done for a 4x3 broadcast. Furthermore, this reasoning is at best unsupported by any evidence and more than likely untrue given what has actually been said.

The most that can be supported so far is that the show may have been protected for 16x9, something which isn't definitive yet, and even if that is the case, protecting is not the same as framing.

By all means advocate a 16x9 release for your own personal preference.

[iaragorn1]

Originally Posted by simonynwa

Look I can accept people prefer the 16:9 ratio and that's fine, but making up reasons to justify it as some sort of artistic intent is insulting to the filmmakers and the framing of the show which was perfectly done for a 4x3 broadcast. Furthermore, this reasoning is at best unsupported by any evidence and more than likely untrue given what has actually been said.

The most that can be supported so far is that the show may have been protected for 16x9, something which isn't definitive yet, and even if that is the case, protecting is not the same as framing.

By all means advocate a 16x9 release for your own personal preference.

Incorrect. Chris Carter stated that the X-Files was protected for widescreen from the very beginning. He conducted a Reddit a few months ago and was specifically asked that question. The DP (Director of Photography) has also stated that they shot for widescreen.

This issue has been debated to death, look through the past pages.

[simonynwa]

"I'm imagining that they'll be released in 4:3. When we began filming the show in 1992, we actually (except for maybe the pilot) considered HD all along. And so there was image and opportunity to expand and modify the aspect ratio. But the fact is these are all decisions made by 20th Century Fox, which I'm occasionally consulted on."

Im well aware this issue has been debated yet still reasoning is given where none is there. This is what he said. Hardly definitive since he suggests a 4:3 release but then indicates HD was "considered" and there was "opportunity" to modify. And what are the decisions of Fox he is referring to - whether they dictated to him about the original production or whether they will dictate a proposed Bluray release.

Again, if he was advocating a 16x9 release, Im sure he could be a lot less vague.

And of course there is Bartley too

"John Bartley, ASC, the cinematographer on the first few seasons, says the show was composed for the standard TV aspect ratio of 4:3 but that they "protected for 16:9""

I have to assume from your comment that you think protection is the same as composing - it isn't.

[sheldo]

Oh great the ratio argument again. Partly wish this was out so this would end already.

[simonynwa]

No argument really, some want 16x9, some want 4x3, the comments of the filmmakers suggest the show was composed for 4x3 but protected for 16x9. I think it's pretty clear.

[iaragorn1]

Originally Posted by simonynwa

Im well aware this issue has been debated yet still reasoning is given where none is there.

Yet you just quoted Chris Carter and John Bartley

Your words about reasoning ring hollow.

Let this debate die here. Personal preferences are fine.

[Panemlights]

Hate to drag the discussion out but just to add another bit:

QUESTION: How do you see television changing?

BARTLEY: I could take a month to answer that question. Things are always changing, and they are also staying the same. We shot The X Files in Super 35 format and framed for 4:3. We protected for 16:9, because we knew it was coming. We also do that on Lost.

And of course, television has changed.

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by iaragorn1

Yet you just quoted Chris Carter and John Bartley

Your words about reasoning ring hollow.

Let this debate die here. Personal preferences are fine.

Personal preference is not a problem - suggesting 16x9 as the correct composition however based on what has been said so far is. You suggested I was incorrect, I was not. You seem to be under the impression protection for 16x9 is composition if you accept Carter and Bartley's comments of which I know full well Im quoting

[simonynwa]

We shot The X Files in Super 35 format and framed for 4:3.

Id say that's pretty definitive. If there is any debate here its that a widescreen television broadcast was protected for, but if the artistic composition was 4x3 then Id hope this would be the basis of a disc release.

At best, Id hope for a dual release but since this is unlikely, the preference should be given to composition IMO

[AmishParadise]

Are you done listening to yourself talk? Please.

...to both sides of this. Move on.

[sheldo]

We've heard what Bartley and Carter have said hundreds of times on this thread. We just gotta shut up and wait to see what Fox knocks out.

Though no ones commented on how crap the framing was on the seasons that did air in 16:9 for a while. You could beat that dead horse again. Even re-post the Bad Blood stake screenshot. Ain't seen that this month and its nearly September now so it's due.

[anderscja]

Why when the show is clearly going to look so good in 16:9 format would anyone want it in 4:3.

I know it was originally all 4:3, but these screenshots look amazing, why cut them down for Blu-ray.

Had I not seen the screenshots and it was released on 4:3 fair enough, but I have now seen the 16:9 versions that fill the screen perfectly. I would not be that happy if the Blu-Ray set was not in 16:9 to be honest. I may just stick to broadcast 16:9 versions if they ever arrive in the UK. if the Blu-ray is 4:3.

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by anderscja

Why when the show is clearly going to look so good in 16:9 format would anyone want it in 4:3.

I know it was originally all 4:3, but these screenshots look amazing, why cut them down for Blu-ray.

Had I not seen the screenshots and it was released on 4:3 fair enough, but I have now seen the 16:9 versions that fill the screen perfectly. I would not be that happy if the Blu-Ray set was not in 16:9 to be honest. I may just stick to broadcast 16:9 versions if they ever arrive in the UK. if the Blu-ray is 4:3.

Can't speak for others but for me it's similar to why I wouldn't want a 16:9 release of Terminator 2 or Titanic for example even though there is image above and below the 2:35:1 aspect ratio. (This baffles me a bit as many wanting 16:9 releases of 4:3 product aren't too bothered about seeing 2:35:1 product reconfigured where it is possible.) Just because there is image there, doesn't mean it was meant to be seen.

Some don't like to constantly discuss it but the whole OAR issue around TV releases at present is quite a contentious one IMO and probably one of the few issues up for debate besides redoing VFX since everyone can get behind an HD release whatever the AR. I guess constantly posting wow at screenshots gets a bit dull after a while and this is an issue that I don't think is going to go away especially if the filmmakers and creators start getting more involved in it.

However if Carter comes out and says that 16:9 is the OAR I will listen to what he says (though would take some convincing to be honest )

[Josh of the Decade]

I get the impression Chris Carter doesn't mind either way, and the X-Files itself is an aspect ratio slut, so it's also not fussy. This is not The Wire, after all. *Although they are set in the same universe. There seems little consensus we can reach (which would in any case be made moot when the sets come out), so it may be time to close this particular case.

[admiral_akbar]

Originally Posted by simonynwa

Can't speak for others but for me it's similar to why I wouldn't want a 16:9 release of Terminator 2 or Titanic for example even though there is image above and below the 2:35:1 aspect ratio. (This baffles me a bit as many wanting 16:9 releases of 4:3 product aren't too bothered about seeing 2:35:1 product reconfigured where it is possible.) Just because there is image there, doesn't mean it was meant to be seen.

Some don't like to constantly discuss it but the whole OAR issue around TV releases at present is quite a contentious one IMO and probably one of the few issues up for debate besides redoing VFX since everyone can get behind an HD release whatever the AR. I guess constantly posting wow at screenshots gets a bit dull after a while and this is an issue that I don't think is going to go away especially if the filmmakers and creators start getting more involved in it.

However if Carter comes out and says that 16:9 is the OAR I will listen to what he says (though would take some convincing to be honest )

Sometimes the extra image is meant to be seen. For Terminator 2 the extra image (top & bottom) was used (& shot) specifically to create the 4:3 home video version of it's time. From what I remember this was all overseen my James Cameron himself.

To me this shows that it is possible to have two separate aspect ratios in mind when filming. So, to an extent, they could both be called OAR.

[simonynwa]

Originally Posted by admiral_akbar

Sometimes the extra image is meant to be seen. For Terminator 2 the extra image (top & bottom) was used (& shot) specifically to create the 4:3 home video version of it's time. From what I remember this was all overseen my James Cameron himself.

To me this shows that it is possible to have two separate aspect ratios in mind when filming. So, to an extent, they could both be called OAR.

I was aimply using these films as examples where there is image above and below the frame like the x files has it to the left and right. There are many others where such framing is not done for protection like Cameron did.

And Cameron may have filmed with a 4x3 video release in mind I would guess to protect from cropping and to minimise the realities of home video release at the time, but the film's OAR is still 2:35:1 as this was released in theatres as such. Same with Titanic which despite altering the AR for the 3D release, he ensured the OAR was available too. Since Fox seem to consult Cameron on all releases I can only assume that his failure to include a 4x3 version in any release since the DVD suggest he isn't too concerned about it.
But I think ur point emphasises that the best option is to consult the filmmakers where possible. Shouldn't be a problem here.

[simonynwa]

One of the more interesting examples of this is Apted's Voyage of the Dawn Treader a film whose theatrical OAR was 2.35:1 but changed it seems at the wishes of the director to 1.85:1 for home release. Tougher one to call than Cameron's films

[lolwut]

Originally Posted by Josh of the Decade

I don't think we've been looking at the same screenshots. I've got nothing against the DVD sets, but the screen-grabs in this thread have been a revelation. Maybe it's just me.

I was going off my memory of the earlier screenshots in this thread. I stopped looking at them after a while. Looking at most of Season 3 and a lot of Season 2, they do look great. I went through the thread to find some examples of what I was talking about:

[Prof. Utonium]

I may be mistaken, but I believe those screens are from the El Rey (USA) broadcasts, which are heavily compressed. I'm not even sure if they are true HD. The screens from ProSieben Maxx (Germany) are 1080p and look fantastic.

[sheldo]

Originally Posted by Prof. Utonium

I may be mistaken, but I believe those screens are from the El Rey (USA) broadcasts, which are heavily compressed. I'm not even sure if they are true HD. The screens from ProSieben Maxx (Germany) are 1080p and look fantastic.

Yeah there was a discussion when the US shots started to appear about EU broadcasts being higher bit rate due to codecs they use. Either way the best shots have deffo been those taken from the German broadcasts.