The X-Files series - 4x3 vs 16x9

[komal6]

4x3

[jedidaniel]

16:9

[DR Herbert West]

4x3

[-RONIN-]

16:9 almost always.

[Si Parallel Universe]

16:9 for Me.

[thecooldud]

16:9. It looks fantastic.

[cocopugg]

I have to vote 16x9 since the show was originally shot widescreen, and even though purists want the originally aired 4x3 version thinking they will be losing out on parts of the image that originally aired (if expanded to 16x9), the truth is, with 16x9 we will be seeing much more of the show as it was originally filmed, which was never shown when it was cropped to 4x3 for original airing. Remember, the truth is out there!

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by cocopugg

I have to vote 16x9 since the show was originally shot widescreen, and even though purists want the originally aired 4x3 version thinking they will be losing out on parts of the image that originally aired (if expanded to 16x9), the truth is, with 16x9 we will be seeing much more of the show as it was originally filmed, which was never shown when it was cropped to 4x3 for original airing. Remember, the truth is out there!

Nah. It wasn't "shot widescreen". It was protected for it though exactly from when is debatable, no-one will ever convince me that seasons one and two were meant to be badly cropped like that (first few eps of S1 aside, where they just opened up the soundtrack area that was NEVER meant to be seen, look how hilariously unbalanced the compositions now are).

It wasn't until S3 that the typical Super 35 'shoot for 16:9 but protect 4:3 centre crop' negative format was used, and the 4:3 was the original intended framing until at least season 4 which was the last to be post-produced in 4:3. Though that didn't stop several 16:9 framing errors creeping into the later seasons, mind you. The truth is...more complicated than people would care to admit.

[chip75]

4:3 all the way. But I'll let those inclined to a bit of Dead Space let them keep it from season five onward. But as long as I can blank it out (and get have the original compositions to all the "goofs") with seamless branching.

[Morsoth]

16:9 for me. I'm a OAR enthusiast, but the first seasons of X-Files that were remastered in 16:9 for the Blu-ray are perfect!

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Morsoth

16:9 for me. I'm a OAR enthusiast, but the first seasons of X-Files that were remastered in 16:9 for the Blu-ray are perfect!

They were ... apart from the terrible framing and the cropped effects.

Personally I feel that 4:3 would have looked superior, as the framing looks more competent.

The X-Files 4:3 (Green) to 16:9 (Red) Framing Comparisons

1x79 'Pilot'



1x03 'Conduit'



1x06 'Ghost in the Machine'



1x10 'Eve'



1x15 'Young at Heart'

[Morsoth]

Nah... still prefer the 16:9 framing.

[oddbox83]

Nice caps, thanks.

Still doesn't change the fact the 16:9 framing is a bit of a fudge on the first couple of seasons but it sort of works. It's not Buffy's HD remaster, thankfully!

As a UK viewer, I always saw the latter seasons (6 onwards) in 16:9 so that just feels normal to me.

[contradictory]

If Open Matte i prefer 4:3...

[Bobbyjoe766]

Original aspect ratio for each season.