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View Full Version : Welcome to 16:9 Pan and Scan


Mark Holtz
07-19-09, 07:03 PM
The only reason I noticed this is because my DirecTiVo picked up Octopussy and Diamonds are Forever off the Sleuth channel.

Okay, so I'm a sucker for James Bond, So, I thought I would take a peek at how the current broadcast would be. So, we have the following disclaimer:The following film has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fir this screen, edited to run in the time allotted and for content.Okay, I still have a 4:3 TV. Lets see what happens...

Wait a sec... the film is being shown letterboxed. But, wait a minute... something isn't right. The aspect ratio isn't right. Let me check the IMDB:

Diamonds are Forever: 2.35 : 1 / 2.55 : 1 (DVD version)
Octopussy: 2.20 : 1 (70 mm prints) / 2.35 : 1

Sure enough, the opening credits look like they are in the 2.35:1 format. But, once the credits are completed, back to 16:9 we go.

(sigh) thank goodness for TCM.

spartanstew
07-19-09, 07:18 PM
Many broadcast movies are converted to 16:9 regardless of what their original aspect ratio was.

Lee L
07-20-09, 07:43 AM
I thinkk they should at least tell what ratio it is formatted for as saying "to fit this screen" is just not accurate for at least some portion of veiwers, either the old school 4:3 or the 16:9.