Widescreen vs. Fullscreen

[parker]

I don't know how much of an issue this is for others, but when I purchase a film I insist that it be in widescreen format. Does anyone else has a specific preference?

BTW, in case you're not sure what I'm talking about:

Widescreen shows the entire image as was seen in the cinema version. It has black bars at the top and bottom since most television screen (at least for now) are square (as opposed to rectangular). Fullscreen has the film trimmed so that it fits perfectly onto your television screen. However, some of the images from the sides are lost in the cutting process.

I found this nice link that shows a good comparison between the two:

http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/feature/20020925/index_69407.html

 

[bootywatcher]

I like widescreen. If you have a small TV (like me), fullscreen maybe better. When I buy widescreen DVD's, I buy them with my future big ass plasma screen in mind.

 

[nobody]

I voted Widescreen, because when I buy DVDs that's what I try to get.

However, I'm not one of those hardcore film snob / purists who believe fullscreen is some kind of crime against nature. If I'm watching a rented movie (or something from a friend's collection) and it's fullscreen, I don't mind that much.

 

[bootywatcher]

However, I'm not one of those hardcore film snob / purists who believe fullscreen is some kind of crime against nature. If I'm watching a rented movie (or something from a friend's collection) and it's fullscreen, I don't mind that much.

I'm like that too. I don't mind fullscreen.

 

[amstrad]

I don't understand how anyone can EVER want fullscreen. When i buy a movie, I want the WHOLE FUCKING MOVIE, not some cropped "pan 'n scam" piece of crap.

I can't stand it when I'm waching a movie on TV and:

- I see really bad digital panning -- the tell tale sign of pan 'n scam
- I see only one person in a close up conversation because half the action is off the screen

A friend of mine hated "letterbox" movies, she thought that it was the widescreen version that was cropped because of the presence of the black stripes. I explained to her what was really going on and even set up a side by side comparison to proove that it is the fullscreen version that is severely cropped (there is a saying in the movie industry "Full Screen is Not"). She stubornly refused to accept that widescreen is better. Some people...

If you are not convinced yet, look at this comparison at starwars.com:

http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/feature/20020925/index.html

 

[foxycougar]

If it's a REALLY good movie then I would like it in widescreen but if it's one that I just rented for the hell of it, I don't really care. I try to buy movies in widescreen but I don't *demand* it.

 

[ooahouch]

Wide screen definitely when I buy DVDs.Although Like some of the other members said if its a rented movie I dont give it that much thought.

 

[Laibach]

Widescreen all the wayy

 

[pornlover_85]

I would go with widescreen because it is becoming more and more common. It just looks better.

 

[parker]

However, I'm not one of those hardcore film snob / purists who believe fullscreen is some kind of crime against nature. If I'm watching a rented movie (or something from a friend's collection) and it's fullscreen, I don't mind that much.

I would not call it "a crime against nature," but I would call it "editing," and in most cases, IMO: editing = tampering

Sometimes editing can be good. For example I often like the Director's Cut versions of movies... if the director has made those changes for the right reasons... ie. artistic, not commercial (and it's not that hard to tell the difference). The widescreen version changes are made by the studios, not the filmmakers (from what I understand), and sometimes these changes REALLY effect what you're seeing. Look at this example:

http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/feature/20020925/index_69240.html

In the widescreen version she's being watched; in the full screen version she's not. Yes, I'm sure the few seconds before and after that frame show enough that you can figure out what's happening, but you must admit the movie's been changed.... and as I said before, I consider editing to be the same thing as tampering.

 

[anobody]

widescreen all the way

when i was a tiny kid i h8d the black borders, but then i was told i was missing bits of the film so i was like wtf gimme the borders!

 

[amstrad]

Full screen format is like listening to your CDs in mono. You are missing half of action.

 

[Togath]

i like widescreen. when down in my basement with my 8000 watt surround sound booming on my 60 inch dlp tv, it is awsome.....

 

[Porn_adicct]

Full screen format is like listening to your CDs in mono. You are missing half of action.

'nuff said

i agree with almost everyone, fullscreen is not a crime, but as consumers is our obligation to want the things as were meant to be.
I know a lot of people too that hate widescreen for some reason(here in mexico is very often to see people like this) most of the time beacuse they dont like the "stupid bars" as they were hiding something.

 

[Slam]

Widescreen is great but then you have people trying to take advantage of said concept and putting out retarded "Widescreen" gimmicks that dont really do anything for normal tv viewing or computer use.

I love the concept of the tech available to see movies as they were intended but when it becomes just another reason to throw a good few hundred dollars on the price tag, it becomes a waste of time in my opinion.

 

[tekka1]

Widescreen is the way to go, in this way you wont miss any of the action. Watch the movie the way is was intended to be watched by the producers.

 

[HeartBroker]

I'm partial to widescreen. Most movies are created in that 16:9 format.
If it was created in 4:3 then that's ok.
Pan and scan can suck my pretty blue balls though!
:2 cents:

 

[squallumz]

ah, the age old question. whats funny is that i dont normally notice somethings in widescreen until someone mentions it, then it bugs me for a few minutes then it looks normal to me. i guess i dont really see a difference though. not enough to be picky at least.

 

[MILF Man]

Widescreen all the way.

I remember when I fist started watching widescreen movies. But they weren't called widescreen, it was called lettebox. At first it bugged me but I absolutely love it now and it's the best way to watch films. All my dvd's are widescreen where I could get them. :thumbsup:

 

[drdeath67]

Widescreen of course!