Anamorphic Widescreen Transfers- Have We Won the Fight? (1 Viewer)

[Rob Tomlin]

When I first got my 16:9 Mitsubishi (which automatically locks in to stretch mode when it receives a progressive signal) I always had to pay special attention to the DVD's that I purchased to make sure that they had Anamorphic transfers. Plenty of widescreen DVD's were NOT anamorphic.
We let the studios know that we WANTED, (perhaps DEMANDED), anamorphic transfers.
Now, a couple of years later, it seems that the vast majority of new widescreen DVD releases are, in fact, anamorphic transfers! I know there are still older DVD releases that need to be re-released with an anamorphic transfer (Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, Titanic) but it appears that many of the more popular titles previously released as non-anamorphic are now being re-released with anamorphic transfers (Terminator, The Princess Bride etc).
Looking through the list of upcoming releases on DVD, it certainly appears that the vast majority will be anamorphic transfers. The last big DVD (widescreen) title that I remember coming out that was not anamorphic was The Abyss.
So, is it fair to say that we have won the fight for anamorphic widescreen transfers on DVD?
Or does the fight for anamorphic transfers coincide/overlap with the fight for OAR DVDs, which apparently has NOT been won?

 

[Rob T]

the fight is far from being won.

 

[MaxY]

Rob T,
It seems the fight for anamorphic transfers has been won when it comes to widescreen releases for the most part. There are very few new releases that are widescreen without being anamoprhic.
OTOH
It seems that the fight between widescreen and full frame is really starting to heat up now.

Max
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[Scott Shanks]

I would say yes, with the exception of MGM's 1.66:1 non-anamorphic policy.

 

[Bruce Hedtke]

The fight may have been won, but the battle to have a standard description sure hasn't. Studios still can't agree how to signify an enhanced disc. Some say Anamorphic, some Enhanced, some say 16x9 widescreen, some say nothing at all. Like anything, they need a more uniform code to make buying and understanding easier.
Bruce
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[DaViD Boulet]

Scott,
That's MGM *and* Warner that continue to 4x3 encode 1.66:1 titles.
Ugh!!!

 

[soop.spoon]

It's also nice to see some studios (especially Fox, Buena Vista, Anchor Bay) revisiting some of their earlier non-anamorphic releases with new transfers.

 

[StuartM]

Bruce
You are totally right about the standard labelling of an enhanced disc. I have to say how pathetic it is that the companies cannot agree a standard description and symbol to market these discs by now. Perhaps it is their intention to create such confusion? If anyone could implement such a policy of clear labelling across the board on all DVD, I for one would be very very grateful!!
Here's hoping from the UK
Stuart

 

[Ted Todorov]

The fight is only "won" if you watch nothing but major Hollywood releases (excepting 1.66:1 with certain studios).
If, like me, you watch a lot of indie, art, non-English language, etc. films, the anamorphic transfers are few and far between. Even Criterion continues to release non-anamorphic widescreen DVDs -- examples: Mona Lisa & How to Get Ahead in Advertising. The only non-major studio that offers 100% anamorphic support is Anchor Bay.
Ted