Cinemascope issues-NOOB

shawn_stockford · 12-30-2007, 10:13 AM

I have a 5 yr old full screen rear projection 50" Hitachi. I love it, however, I am beginning to start the planning process of my dream HT and want to go FP. My problem is, I tollerate the widescreen movies with the narrow top and bottom bars on my Hitachi, however the cinemascope or super wide screen movies drive me nuts as the black bars are even wider. I am only using half the screen!!

So, what kind of FP or lens, or whatever should I be looking for to make the best use of my full screen movies and future movies that are in cinemascope. Will I just have to live it?

JeremyErwin · 12-30-2007, 12:46 PM

Build a 2.35:1 screen. Use an anamorphic lens, and (if neccesary) video processing to view scope films.

Use a flat lens and minimal processing to view 1.85:1 films.

Now, you'll have black bars on the sides for narrower aspect ratios, but the image will always be the same height.
AVS has a whole subforum dedicated to this.

JohnRice · 12-30-2007, 01:37 PM

The fact is, you can't eliminate black bars with all sources without cropping or distorting the image. If that is a big issue for you, I suggest having a 16:9 or 1.85:1 screen, which is essentially in the center of common aspect ratios. With 1.85:1 movies and HD TV, you will have miniscule or no black bars. With Academy ratio movies and 4:3 television, you will have moderate vertical bars, and with scope movies you will have moderate horizontal bars. If you use a 2.40 screen you will have enormous vertical bars with any 4:3 material, which seems to annoy you.

nolesrule · 12-30-2007, 07:44 PM

If you go for a constant height setup like Jeremy describes, you can use curtains to cover the unused parts of the screen, like in the old palace theaters.

Gregg Loewen · 01-01-2008, 09:58 AM

there are lots of options for you. Many of them are price sensitive. Whats your budget?

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