Blu-ray movies should be in BOTH 1.78:1 and 2.39:1 formats

[andytoh]

Since there are lovers and haters of both screen formats, blu-ray movies (for each title) should be offered in BOTH 1.78:1 and 2.39:1 format. People then choose the format that they like, and problem solved. People with 16:9 screens can choose the 1.78:1 format and people with 2.35:1 (projection) screens will choose the 2.39:1 format. No one will ever need to see black bars again. Why have they not considered doing this?

[The Don]

the ratio is the intended viewing size....

[Amel]

I prefer 1.78

I just like my screen full...

[LeoneFan]

Originally Posted by Amel

I prefer 1.78

I just like my screen full...

It's what the director of the film wanted, not what you or I like. You can always use the zoom button on your remote.

[zdefonte]

I don't understand why you can't just use the zoom function...it's essentially the same thing. Whether you perform the zoom or the studio, you will still lose some of the picture from the sides.

[andytoh]

Zooming will fill the screen but will decrease the resolution. It's not a good enough solution for me.

[ascian]

This is just an ignorant comment and should be ignored. Yet I'm breaking my own rule by posting this. Damn!

[Amel]

Originally Posted by andytoh

Zooming will fill the screen but will decrease the resolution. It's not a good enough solution for me.

same here

its not the same

if I remember Apocalypto was 1.78 and it looked great

[andytoh]

So has anyone heard of whether they are considering doing this (produce each blu-ray movie in both screen formats)?

[u_nick]

there really isnt a reason to do so, aside from the few people on the internet who cant get used to 'black bars'. (not trying to sound like a jerk; i apologize if it came out that way).

maybe if there was a big outcry and tons of fans demanding it, but filmmakers consider themselves (and are sometimes right) 'artists'. They have a vision they want people to see, and that vision is delivered to us.

Its as if a painter put his art in a gallery, and right before they opened, the gallery decided to chop off 3 inches from the side of every painting. Can you imagine how furious the painter would be?

[WickyWoo]

We won the widescreen war over 5 years ago

If you don't like "the black bars", turn off your lights

There are no 2.35:1 screens. There are extreme highly expensive setups involving special lenses and motorized screens that will do it, but nothing even one half of one percent will ever install

And they won't offer alternate versions for years and years, if ever. The market isn't big enough, and 99%+ of those buying BR right now want the full image, as composed by the director. When you direct your own film, you can decide on the aspect ratio. Until that time, let the men do their work

[andytoh]

I think it's time for a poll about who hates the black bars, and who don't.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by andytoh

So has anyone heard of whether they are considering doing this (produce each blu-ray movie in both screen formats)?

I think this would be too costly for BD right now, since it's still in early adoption. Does it really irk you that much? Sure, I like seeing movies fill the entire screen, but I moreso like seeing movies how the director intended them to be seen. I have a 16x9 television, and I would still buy the 2.39:1 version if that was the OAR. I think most videophiles would agree w/ me there.

Also, if they were considering this, it would first be tested on DVD, and it sort of already has been tried, albeit not w/ simultaneous releases of each ratio. the regular DVD edition of Lord of War was at 1.78:1, even though the film was shot at 2.39:1. The special edition DVD and BD versions were at the OAR.

I think this would confuse people. Not early adopters, but if you want to reach a mass market, people would see two different versions and ask why. They would get confused, since 1.78:1 is the new "full frame" while 2.39:1 is widescreen, instead of widescreen encompassing both.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by nhaase

I think this would be too costly for BD right now, since it's still in early adoption. Does it really irk you that much? Sure, I like seeing movies fill the entire screen, but I moreso like seeing movies how the director intended them to be seen. I have a 16x9 television, and I would still buy the 2.39:1 version if that was the OAR. I think most videophiles would agree w/ me there.

Also, if they were considering this, it would first be tested on DVD, and it sort of already has been tried, albeit not w/ simultaneous releases of each ratio. the regular DVD edition of Lord of War was at 1.78:1, even though the film was shot at 2.39:1. The special edition DVD and BD versions were at the OAR.

I think this would confuse people. Not early adopters, but if you want to reach a mass market, people would see two different versions and ask why. They would get confused, since 1.78:1 is the new "full frame" while 2.39:1 is widescreen, instead of widescreen encompassing both.

Well, it's also succeeded with DVD to an extent. Although more so in the favor of preserving OAR.

Fullscreen vs Widescreen, as you said, 1.78 is the new full frame [when contrasted against HDTVs].

Really as others said though, just make your TV do the work instead of the studio. The only thing the studios can do really better than your TV doing the zoom work for you is Pan and Scan.

[ Edit / add ]
As a sidenote, Watch Enter the Dragon on BD [or even HD]. Then watch the original 4:3 cut/framing, and tell me you'd rather not the bars, even on an old 4:3 tv.

[Chad Varnadore]

Originally Posted by andytoh

Zooming will fill the screen but will decrease the resolution. It's not a good enough solution for me.

A player, video processor, or display with good aspect correction won't dissolve detail when reformating the video to fit the screen.

[BStecke]

Considering DVD has been out for ten years now, and they haven't produced movies in 1.78 & 2.35, what makes you think they're going to do this for Blu Ray? What a stupid expense this would be on the part of the studios, and a step backwards for the film industry.

[Deciazulado]

I wonder what you people are gonna do when they release the Wizard of Oz Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Cinderella, with BLACK BARS.

Originally Posted by andytoh

I think it's time for a poll about who hates the black bars, and who don't.

we already did one. OAR won.

[devils3023]

Originally Posted by BStecke

Considering DVD has been out for ten years now, and they haven't produced movies in 1.78 & 2.35, what makes you think they're going to do this for Blu Ray? What a stupid expense this would be on the part of the studios, and a step backwards for the film industry.

I agree... Can't believe people still complain about this.. It's the way the movie was intended to be seen!!! Get over it already...

[LeoneFan]

I actually love black bars, either 1.85 or 2.39, it just gives the presentation the ultimate cinematic look.

[Chad Varnadore]

Originally Posted by andytoh

Since there are lovers and haters of both screen formats, blu-ray movies (for each title) should be offered in BOTH 1.78:1 and 2.39:1 format. People then choose the format that they like, and problem solved. People with 16:9 screens will choose the 1.78:1 format and people with 2.35:1 screens will choose the 2.39:1 format. No one will ever need to see black bars again. Why have they not considered doing this?

Very few people have 2.35 screens. Such is unique to the world of FP and usually needs aftermarket lens attachments and such even there. But 2.35 screens would still need to compensate when watching 1.85 films, as well as 1.33, or even the 2.76 of Ben Hur. Not every widescreen movie is 2.35.

It's possible as time goes on that a demand will emerge for 16:9 pan and scan, just like 4:3 pan and scan is still supported on DVD. But it'll be years from now and likely most people that want it now will adjust expectations by then or learn to appreciate seeing the entire scope of anamorphic film.

Some people mask the letterbox portions of the the image like theaters draw or lower curtains to mask unused portions of the screen for different aspect films. This is especially beneficial if viewing in a darkened room. But doesn't often work with subtitling.