DVD's

[kateykakes]

I just bought my first DVD today, which was Blackhawk Down. So I go to put it in and watch it, and the picture is NOT right. So here I am trying to fix it (I played the movie through the kids PS2), and then I read the back of the movie box. It lists *Special Features*, and one of them is for wide screen tv. I'm assuming this is why I had the 1/2 pic (black band the top, movie in the middle, black band on the bottom, if I'm making any sense at all). I know it's not a problem with the PS2 because I rent dvd's all the time for the kids.

For those of you who buy dvd's, has this ever happened to any of you before? And am I now stuck with a movie I won't be able to watch again...

[CinaC]

Kate,

black band the top, movie in the middle, black band on the bottom, if I'm making any sense at all).

It's called "widescreen." You may have noticed movie screens are more rectangular then TV screens. I think the average TV show is filmed in 1.26:1 ratio (to fit a TV screen), while movies are filmed anywhere from 1.33:1 to 2.35:1. Black Hawk Down is filmed in 2.35:1.

The black bars at the top and bottom of your screen "alter" your TV screen's ratio *from* 1.26:1 to the aspect ratio the movie was filmed in. Many DVDs offer Pan & Scan (where the original cinematography is cropped from the original aspect ratio to the TV aspect ratio, often requiring the editors to put in new "pans" that were NOT in the original film) and Widescreen on the same disc, but most offer the films only as widescreen.

Listen to Rod Serling -- there is NOTHING wrong with your TV!

Oh, take a look here for screencaps from "Star Wars" and "Ghostbusters" showing the difference in Pan & Scan and Widescreen.

[ 06-30-2002: Message edited by: Crazy in a Jeep ]

[ 06-30-2002: Message edited by: Crazy in a Jeep ]

[kateykakes]

CiaJ,

I don't like it. It's annoying trying to watch a movie like that. How can I fix it?

[CinaC]

You can't. As far as I know, "Black Hawk Down" is available ONLY in widescreen on DVD. Most films on DVD are released only in widescreen, although *some* are released in Full Frame/Pan & Scan (either together with the widescreen, or seperate).

Other then that, as far as DVDs go, you're out of luck.

Give the widescreen a chance. It may take awhile to get used too, but after a while the black bars will be no different then the edges of your TV screen.

Also, you might want to look into a "widescreen" TV, which has a wider aspect ratio then most TVs.

[FLLawdog]

I don't like it. It's annoying trying to watch a movie like that. How can I fix it?

Get a big screen TV !

I love the widescreen versions because it looks more "natural". They suck on anything under 35", though.

[KCadet]

You'll get used to watching it like that. I didn't like it at first either, but just don't think about it and you'll come to love it! Enjoy your DVD!

[CinaC]

I have a 25" TV ... but I have a really small apartment, so it works out in the end!

[kateykakes]

Originally posted by FLLawdog:


Get a big screen TV !

Doggy,

My kids would be thrilled if I bought one. I'm content with the 27" for now. I don't watch tv enough to really care whether it's on a 13" or a 35". I guess if I watch the movie again, I'll have to try to get used to it.

I wonder if when the movie comes out on VHS, will it still be the same way? I'm clueless tonight.

[jarhead6073]

I've seen some DVD's (I don't know about Blackhawk Down) that are two sided. You probably know that and I look stupid for saying it, but when I first got a DVD player I dindn't know that you could flip the disc over and have wide screen or regular.

[CinaC]

Katey,

Black Hawk Down IS on VHS. It just costs $100 to buy.

When it's priced for sale, it'll be in Full Frame. You can also rent the Full Frame VHS tape from "Hellbuster" or a local video store.

BTW - I wouldn't get too dependent on VHS. They're going the way of the dodo!

Jarhead - some films, like "Snatch" (GREAT!) have both WS and FF on the same side of the same disc (you choose which version to play on the menu). My biggest problem when I got my DVD player was figuring out that if I wanted to play the WS version of a film on a two-sided disc was which side got placed UP!

[ 06-30-2002: Message edited by: Crazy in a Jeep ]

[kateykakes]

CiaJ,

I went to Suncoast when I was at the mall today and bought the movie. I asked for the VHS version and the guy told me it was not out on VHS yet, so I bought the dvd.

I guess I should note that while at the mall today, I did NOT buy any shoes, even though I went in EVERY shoe store in the mall.

[ 06-30-2002: Message edited by: kateykakes ]

[CinaC]

I asked for the VHS version and the guy told me it was not out on VHS yet, so I bought the dvd.

It's out on VHS ... just not for sale. It's an old scam of sorts the video stores run ... essentially, the new release VHS tapes cost upwards of $60 (and usually $100) a pop! Of course, that was when I worked at Hellbuster back in '96, and with DVDs cornering the market the way they are, the rental prices might've dropped a bit. Or they may have gone up ... $110.99!

[kateykakes]

Originally posted by Crazy in a Jeep:
the new release VHS tapes cost upwards of $60 (and usually $100) a pop![/URL]

That's wayyyyyy too much money for me. I bought the dvd today on sale for $19.99, with the original price going for $27.99. I thought it was a pretty good deal. I guess. I don't buy them, so I really don't know what's a good price.

[CinaC]

$20 or so is about right for a DVD.

[jellybean40]

god, i dont think i'll get a DVD player after all! and i KNOW i dont want a big screen tv...i have 100 other household things i'd spend my money on before that.