Page 1 of Anamorphic?

Hi again

I have the matrix dvd on my proline 1000 ... is the disc anamorphic..when play it i get the black lines top & bottom..if it is is this right?

Shaun

the R2 version of the Matrix isn`t anamorphic, neither is R1 (I think).
its ratio is 2.35:1 which would give big black bars top and bottom,although they aren`t so noticable if u fiddle around with the zoom functions on yer telly (providing you`re using a widescreen telly?)

Both R1, R2 an R4 versions of The Matrix ARE anamorphic. ;-)

However, widescreen sets are 16:9, where as this film and others have been shot at 21:9, therefore even on a widescreen set you will see some black borders.

shouldn`t it say on the box if its anamorphic then?
anamorphic should still fill the screen regardless of what tv is being used to view it on?
little is my understanding of anamorphic though.

Ah no, common misconception. Anamorphic video will have black bars if the aspect ratio is greater than 16x9, but if the film was shot at this aspect ratio then it should fill your widescreen set with no black bars.

The majority of films are shot at 1.85:1, aka 16:9, this was therefore chosen as the standard ratio for widescreen TV sets. It was either this, or use 2.35:1 (or 21:9) and have black borders on the left and right of every film which wasnt in this ratio, much the same way you have them on 4:3 sourced material.

ahh :-) cheers for clearing that up.
what about the R2 version of Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels?
that fills out my 4:3 set npbs?
even if i set it to 16:9 on the dvd player.
Id ideally like a proper widescreen telly but 32" tellies just don`t seem any different to my 28" 4:3 set?
Looks like i`ll have to look at getting a RPT set for a decent big screen.

lock stock (original version) comes 2 sided, one is 4:3, the other 16:9.

The directors cut version for some reason wanted to default to 4:3 pan & scan on my Wharf DVD player, but I can change this on the settings to 16:9

Widescreen TV`s really do make a difference, my 28" wide screen kicks butt compared to a 4:3 28".

I have two choices for TVs which I have seen.
28`` widescreen for £300
and a 28`` 4:3 for £180
if there isnt a difference, it makes sense to get the cheaper.
but if widescreen is a lot better, then i`ll get that.
what do you guys recommend?
ROB

The diagonals are the same size, so you would assume that since a 28" 4:3 set is taller than a 28" 16:9 set, then it would produce a bigger image. However, this is ONLY true if that image is 4:3.

Since most DVDs are widescreen, you will get a taller image with a 28" widescreen set on a 16:9 or 21:9 film, and of course you will get a wider one too, therefore an overall bigger image.

It sounds wierd but if you work out the maths it makes sense.

it really would be worth while saving up the extra and buying a widescreen set. what with dvd`s and digital tv its going to be a better choice overall,
although the cost is still relatively high at the moment, you`ll see the benefits of widescreen straight away :-)