Bluray letterboxing... No, not the usual question

[FP]

I noticed that some of my newer Bluray discs (Kick Ass, Daybreakers) have the letterboxing added to the source material to make the overall image 16x9.

Is this a new thing? I thought most Bluray discs left the film in the native aspect ratio and relied on the output medium to letterbox if needed.

 

[Auric]

That's the standard. What have you seen diff'rent?

 

[sivart]

What you are seeing has been the standard since Blu-ray was released. I think you are confusing DVD anamorphic discs with Blu-ray.

 

[Patranus]

First movies were filmed in 1.33:1 (4:3), then people got 4:3 TVs and they moved to 1.78:1 (16:9).

Now that people have 16:9 TVs movies are produced in 2.39:1 thus requiring letterboxing.

As soon as TVs are 2.39:1 they will probably move theaters to 2.375:1 or 4:1.

It is just a way to drive people into the theaters.

 

[sivart]

First movies were filmed in 1.33:1 (4:3), then people got 4:3 TVs and they moved to 1.78:1 (16:9).

Now that people have 16:9 TVs movies are produced in 2.39:1 thus requiring letterboxing.

As soon as TVs are 2.39:1 they will probably move theaters to 2.375:1 or 4:1.

It is just a way to drive people into the theaters.

Hmmm...some of that may be true, but 2.39:1 or wider has been around since the 1950's...long before 16:9 TV's were available to the general public. I also don't think I know any movies shot in 16:9 (1.78:1). Sure there are a lot shot in 1.85:1, but that is still letterboxed. However, your TV may overscan those extra pixels and you don't notice it on most TV's. Turn on my projector that is doing a pixel for pixel map with no overscan and you can see it.

This link--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_%28image%29#Why_16:9_was_chosen_by_the_SMPTE

explains why 16:9 was selected.

Now if you say 3D was to pull people into the theater and out of their home theaters, then I might just agree with you

4:1? That is hilarious.. A 3 foot tall TV would be 12 feet wide...I hope we have some short actors.

 

[s44]

First movies were filmed in 1.33:1 (4:3), then people got 4:3 TVs and they moved to 1.78:1 (16:9).

Now that people have 16:9 TVs movies are produced in 2.39:1 thus requiring letterboxing.

As soon as TVs are 2.39:1 they will probably move theaters to 2.375:1 or 4:1.

It is just a way to drive people into the theaters.

Are you electroju in disguise?