LostInSpace Posted January 27, 2005 Report Posted January 27, 2005 Hmmm, the only MGM title I have in my collection is 2001:a space odyssey. I purchased some time ago, don't remember when, could have been after the Dec 13th, 2002 filing date of the lawsuit. Examining the DVD case and literature on the inside nowhere does it mention aspect ratio just WIDESCREEN version (theatrical release format) and as far as I can tell viewing it that it is indeed the widescreen version and not the standard DVD format which I presume they mean 4:3 format.
Kevin Trotter Posted January 27, 2005 Report Posted January 27, 2005 whats the basis of ther lawsuit? I own quite a few of those titles and have had nary a problem.
Supreme Cmdr Posted January 27, 2005 Author Report Posted January 27, 2005 If you read the website above, you'll see what the lawsuit is about.
Supreme Cmdr Posted January 31, 2005 Author Report Posted January 31, 2005 The great wide-screen DVD caper
LostInSpace Posted January 31, 2005 Report Posted January 31, 2005 Phew, 2001:a space odyssey is not in that list.
Scrivener Posted February 1, 2005 Report Posted February 1, 2005 Basically the story is this: Most theatrical movies are filmed natively in widescreen format (that is, the dimensions of the theatre screen). When Fullframe versions are released on DVD, they usually chop off 1/3 of the picture from either side to make it fit your standard sized TV. HOWEVER - some films actually ARE filmed at 4:3 asepect ratio (the same ratio as Fullframe) and then chopped for theatre screens. Time Bandits is one example - the original fullscreen DVD actually shows more than the Widescreen Criterion Edition. There are reasons a person might want both, but IMO the theatrical cut is the superior since the shots are composed for that particular pallette - the theatre screen. In any case, these special circumstances have previously not been well advertised by the studios. But whats worse, MGM has been taking movies that were already cut from the Widescreen theatrical print to Fullframe, and then cutting THAT cut to Widescreen - so you lose even MORE picture. Basically, MGM is charged with not properly advertising how much of the original image you are seeing on your screen, despite being the correct height and width for the format designation. For more info on aspect ratios: http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/aspectratios.htm
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now