Way OT:DVDs

[titanmiller]

Do you think the reason that they put movies in letterbox format is to please the customer or to be able to fit longer movies on 1 disc (no data in black bars)

 

[Wiz]

Good question.
I believe it's because that's the original format of the movies, when showed at the theatre.
In order to size the display to "fit" a standard television they must cut out picture from the sides, this is called "pan & scan".
So, in reality putting a movie that fits a standard television screen on a dvd should take less data than the widescreen format.
In widescreen you get the entire frame on each and every frame, sized for your tv means they have to cut off the sides of every frame.

 

[deerslayer]

I have no idea...

 

[Zim Hosein]

titanmiller, I don't think it makes much of a difference in the size of the movie be it Letterbox or P&S. Take for example DVD's where both are included, one version on each side. As for why most movies are letterbox I would say it's because consumers, like myself, don't want the studio releasing the movie to cut out info and choose the "focus" point in scenes, I want to see the entire shot the way the director wanted it to be shown, just my opinion, hope it helps

 

[Confused]

The film was shot in widescreen, as it gives a wider perspective.

Putting the film into 4:3 Pan-and-Scam mode takes away from the picture, by up to about 40% in some cases!

This is especially bad if there is something that is happening on the edges of the screen, as well as in the middle, as stuff will have to be left out.


There are some websites that explain it between than I can, but I can't find the links at the moment.



It's basically because it's how it was filmed, and staying true to how the director wanted it.


Confused

Editted for speeling mistakes

 

[Robor]

What Confused said...

The long and short of it is if you're watching a movie in 4:3 (Pan and Scan) that was originally shot in 16:9 (Widescreen) you are missing some of the movie and are not watching it as the director intended. If it's available, always get the widescreen version.

 

[conjur]

Widescreen or no screen for me

I have some examples of Jaws from DVD and from broadcast on TBS that show a big loss of picture content on the Pan and Scam version but my domain is down right now (forgot it expired last week...DOH!)

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: conjur
Widescreen or no screen for me

That's the site I was thinking of

Loads of examples for proof of what you're missing out on



Confused