Why are DVDs widescreen opposed to the whole monitor/TV size

[SnowPunk98]

I know its a dumb question but why are they all widescreen? and are there any that are actually the size of the whole monitor dont be too mean with me lol

 

[woodly6]

Because Pan-Scan Sux A$$!!!

There are some that have the option to watch them in full screen format, sometimes the DVD is two sided or it has both and you can use the menu to change it!

 

[stingbandel]

sometimes you can see DVD that has the 4:3 screen. Like for example Big Daddy, Austin Powers, and etc

 

[SnowPunk98]

Are they either widescreen or fullscreen or both and how do you know and change it ?

 

[KameLeon]

Because Widescreen TV's are the future! But they should play fine in both, as long as it supports letterboxing or pan&scan!

 

[Viper GTS]

Because widescreen is the way movies are produced - not 4:3.

You should hear the uproar when a DVD is released that doesn't include an anamorphic version.

I used to wonder the same thing, I didn't understand the appeal of watching a movie that didn't fill the screen. Having had the chance to view anamorphic DVD's on my Wega, though, I'll never go back. In fact, my next TV may be a widescreen TV.

Viper GTS

 

[SnowPunk98]

So they all do 4:3 but widescreen is better I have never watched one full screen

 

[GoldenGuppy]

You get a different aspect ratio w/ widescreen you get to see the surrounding area that you won't be able to see with a pan/scan version of the same film (30 percent more I believe it was). however, you get the black bars above and below if you don't have a WS Television set because the picture would look stretched out otherwise.

)(GG)

 

[juiio]

Depending on how the movie was filmed, you are missing as much as half the picture when you watch a move in pan and scan instead of in widescreen.

See http://www.widescreen.org/ for a good explanation with pictures and examples.

Here is a very good example

 

[dman]

Because the idea is/was that people that buy DVD's are interested in quality and getting as close to the theater experience as they can in their own homes. The black borders are there because the movie is beingpresented as you would see it on the big-screen.

As for going with WideScreen TV, then you have the opposite effect, when you watch tv the picture is being stretched/ cropped orblack borders. You may not notice it, but, it's happening. And, when you watch movies that aren't 16:9 you still have the same issues,so widescreen TV's aren't perfect either but better for letterbox movies-yes.