An anamorphic question... (1 Viewer)

[ozar]

I'm puzzled by something...
I've done quite a bit of study on the different widescreen DVD's, such as 1.78, 1.85, 2.35, non-anamorphic, anamorphic, etc., and I have a number of DVD's that say they are "anamorphic 2.35 widescreen" DVDs. However, when playing them on my Toshiba 57H81 (in Full Mode), some of them show black bars at the top and bottom while others don't. For example, Cast Away doesn't show any black bars, while Apollo 13 does, even when played in the same mode. Both DVD's claim to be anamorphic 2.35 widescreen.
Anyone know what gives on this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Cast Away is 1.85:1, which is why there are no bars.

I don't know why the box says 2.35:1, but if it does, it is a misprint.

-V

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Just found this on DVDangle:

"The transfer of Cast Away is an anamorphic widescreen presentation in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1, although the box claims 2.35:1."

So it appears that there was indeed a misprint on the box claiming it was 2.35:1 when it is not.

-V

 

[ozar]

Thanks Vince, for the answer on this one - I never thought about them making such a misprint on the box. It was really driving me nuts for a while.

 

[Steve Schaffer]

You'll also occasionally run across discs labelled anamorphic that are not--Casino is an example.

 

[Allan Jayne]

deleted

 

[RyanDinan]

yeah, and occasionally, you'll run accross a DVD that just says that it is "letterboxed", but in fact it is an anamorphic transfer.

I guess the term "letterboxed" is still true for anamorphic DVD's that are wider than 1.78:1, as there are black bars, but they're not telling you all the info they should be....I kringe whenever I *have* to buy a non-anamorphic disc (movies for the wife).....Even though my HTPC scales it to anamorphic (and looks pretty good), I just like to know that the detail is there.....

-Ryan