No OAR? Michael Clayton HD PPV DirecTV

George Burkhart · 02-23-2008, 11:12 AM

Hi. I ordered HD PPV on DirecTV for the first time for Michael Clayton and noticed that it fills up my Widescreen TV even though IMDB shows that it was shot 2.35 to 1 in Panavision Anamorphic.

I've also seen this on some movies when I got HBO for free last summer. While I realize that it's not as bad if it was shot in Super 35, this movie was not shot in 35 and I'd like to get the OAR.

Is it just me or is it strange that HD PPV movies aren't always in OAR? I'm waiting for Blu-ray to go down in price before I get a player and would like to know of your opinions on why PPV and movie channels aren't using OAR on all High Def Channels. I understand that they may not want to do this for standard channels. But High Def? Huh?

Also, what are your recommendations for providers or movie channels that have HD and consistently use OAR. I have a memory of Showtime doing a pretty good job of this but can't be sure. Thanks for your help/opinions.

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Marty M · 02-23-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Burkhart

Also, what are your recommendations for providers or movie channels that have HD and consistently use OAR. I have a memory of Showtime doing a pretty good job of this but can't be sure. Thanks for your help/opinions.

One of the best channels for always showing movies in OAR is HD Net Movie channel. They don't get the most recent releases, but they are always OAR. Another channel that shows movies in OAR is Universal HD channel, but they don't show movies all the time like HDNET Movies.

TravisR · 02-23-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Burkhart

...and would like to know of your opinions on why PPV and movie channels aren't using OAR on all High Def Channels. I understand that they may not want to do this for standard channels. But High Def? Huh?

I know lots of people wonder the same thing but I never really understand why HD MAR presentations seem so odd to people. If the channel didn't care about the OAR in SD, why would they suddenly show interest in it for their HD feed?

Holadem · 02-23-2008, 12:47 PM

Agreed. The motivation behind MAR has always been to fill up the screen, whatever AR is the standard. So same ole story, different AR.

What I want to know is if TCM is ever gonna go HD. Perhaps the powers that be are holding back intentionally, which is wise: For someone like me who doesn't give one whit about extras on DVDs, every OAR film recorded off an eventual HD-TCM channel is one movie off my purchase list.

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George Burkhart · 02-23-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravisR

I know lots of people wonder the same thing but I never really understand why HD MAR presentations seem so odd to people. If the channel didn't care about the OAR in SD, why would they suddenly show interest in it for their HD feed?

Thanks for the reply. Well, I think it's odd because I believe(and maybe I'm being naive) that those who are buying HD televisions understand about aspect ratios and are looking to come close to (or replicate/improve) a theater viewing, and the provider would want to satisfy that audience.

George Burkhart · 02-23-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty M

One of the best channels for always showing movies in OAR is HD Net Movie channel. They don't get the most recent releases, but they are always OAR. Another channel that shows movies in OAR is Universal HD channel, but they don't show movies all the time like HDNET Movies.

Thanks. I'll look into that and see what movies they offer. At one time it was free and I believe they are charging $10 a month for a group of HD channels including the ones you mention.

Chris Will · 02-23-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Burkhart

Thanks for the reply. Well, I think it's odd because I believe(and maybe I'm being naive) that those who are buying HD televisions understand about aspect ratios and are looking to come close to (or replicate/improve) a theater viewing, and the provider would want to satisfy that audience.

I think it is just the opposite, most buying an HDTV think it will get rid of all black bars. That is why we see so many threads pop up asking "why do I still have black bars on my widescreen HDTV, I thought HD got rid of them?" I know over at AVS black bar threads pop up pretty regularly.

Holadem · 02-24-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Burkhart

Thanks for the reply. Well, I think it's odd because I believe(and maybe I'm being naive) that those who are buying HD televisions understand about aspect ratios and are looking to come close to (or replicate/improve) a theater viewing,

In what universe? Most are buying "big screen TVs". Are there even any 50+ inches set that are 4:3 or SD-only even more? I don't think you could buy a non-HD device of that size if you tried.

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Marty M · 02-24-2008, 12:40 PM

I have a close friend who just bought a 50" plasma HDTV and we were watching The Last of the Mohicans last night and was curious why he was getting black bars at the top and bottom. I, of course, had to explain to him about the concept of OAR.



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