Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on May 30, 2002 at 13:25:45

In Reply to: Not necessarily in this case.... posted by blake on May 30, 2002 at 07:58:07:

IMHO, the WS is still superior although I can see where a director who wants to allow for standard academy framing (4:3) might justify this viewpoint for the benefit of those who don't own HDTV (i.e., the majority of folks). OTOH, when you go to a movie, just about any movie unless it's a re-release of a pre-1953 non-WS film, do you view it in 4:3 Academy standard or one of the WS modes (1.85:1, 2.35:1 or 2.75:1, etc.)? Yep, you saw it in WS! See my point? This is the converted aspect ratio you should have the film in on your HDTV; if it isn't being provided then it's the fault of the studio producing the DVD version or someone else (i.e., the director or producer, perhaps) who has an agenda. The "agenda" may be as simple as a sneaky way of selling as many copies of both versions as is humanly possible. However, I'm of the opinion that the confusion this creates does a disservice to both DVD collectors, who happen to own an HDTV, and those consumers contemplating the purchase of an HDTV.

AuPh