The Reason We Still Have Black Bars on Our Screens

**kamspy** · 02-02-2008, 07:26 PM

Someone was asking about this in another thread.

Thought it would be helpful to more people so I started this thread.

Here you go.

Here are pics from Ghostbusters in different aspect ratios (AR)

This is full screen on a 4:3 TV

This is full screen on a 16x9 TV, or a 1:85:1 or 1:77:1 AR. This is what HBO and most other cable channels present movies in.

Here is what the director intended you to see when filming in a 2:35:1 or 2:40:1 AR. In the case of Ghostbusters, 2:35:1 is the OAR

Note the painting next to Bill, you can't even see it in anything other than OAR.

Hope this helps.

If you want to show off the size of your screen, look for movies with a 1:85:1 or 1:77:1 OAR. They will fill your screen and still give you directors intent. Crank is a prime example on Blu-Ray and Children of Men is a prime example on HD DVD.

I would rather see all of my movie than fill up all of my screen personally.

apocolypse · 02-02-2008, 07:30 PM

Holy shit, the difference between them is crazy.

Nice post kamspy, thanks.

**kamspy** · 02-02-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocolypse

Holy shit, the difference between them is crazy.

Nice post kamspy, thanks.

Yep.

I hope this help every one who feels the need to fill their screen with every movie, and see why doing so detracts from the filmmakers original intent.

hdtvjunkie · 02-02-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

Yep.

I hope this help every one who feels the need to fill their screen with every movie, and see why doing so detracts from the filmmakers original intent.

Excellent display Kampsy. I have tried to tell people I know not to stretch the picture that it takes away from the movie. Thanks for the visual I'm gonna show a couple people I know to make them see the light.

HiramAbiff · 02-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Is that a LaserDisc cap?

**kamspy** · 02-02-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiramAbiff

Is that a LaserDisc cap?

Criterion CAV

Favorite LD of all time. Swear it's better than the DVD. Can't wait for the HDM release.

eapleitez · 02-02-2008, 11:17 PM

Everytime someone bitches about "black bars", it will be standard protocol to direct them to this thread from now on.

HD Goofnut · 02-02-2008, 11:40 PM

I have been telling this to folks for years. If I wanted 2/3rds of the movie I would buy the full screen edition, but who would be that moronic?

**PFC5** · 02-03-2008, 01:34 AM

Great thread and it should be a sticky.

We already have a sticky on this site called Bars, Bars & More bars, but I do not think it is seen by many people judging by all the continued questions about the bars still, and is just not as descriptive in the title as this thread is. Kudos for the perfect title name too.

If I remember that scene properly, Bill Murray makes a series of funny facial expressions that are totally missed when they cut the AR down to 4:3 for cable stations. There are also other movies where even just having it cut down to 1.78:1 from say 2.4:1 would leave out such important parts of a movie.

HD Goofnut · 02-03-2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Great thread and it should be a sticky.

We already have a sticky on this site called Bars, Bars & More bars, but I do not think it is seen by many people judging by all the continued questions about the bars still, and is just not as descriptive in the title as this thread is. Kudos for the perfect title name too.

If I remember that scene properly, Bill Murray makes a series of funny facial expressions that are totally missed when they cut the AR down to 4:3 for cable stations. There are also other movies where even just having it cut down to 1.78:1 from say 2.4:1 would leave out such important parts of a movie.

When I worked at Blockbuster it was still about 70/30 DVD to VHS and of course VHS were always in full screen. So I had to explain the difference to people all the time. I always said if you have a TV that is less than about 15" then it really doesn't matter with full screen. Also, full screen is not a big deal if you are watching a drama. However, if you are watching an action or comedy wide screen is DEFINITELY a necessity.

cougardew · 02-03-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I have been telling this to folks for years. If I wanted 2/3rds of the movie I would buy the full screen edition, but who would be that moronic?

The funny part to me is that I used to hear people complain about the black bars on their 4:3 TV and buy full screen. Now everybody is buying wide screen TVs so full screen DVDs have black bars just on the sides instead of the top and bottom. I tried to warn people but they didn't want to hear it. I wonder what they think of their full screen DVD collections now.

Superman · 02-03-2008, 07:46 AM

Someone should make this thread a sticky.

**kamspy** · 02-03-2008, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the kind words everybody.

Stew4HD · 02-03-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

Thanks for the kind words everybody.

Spot on, man! I also think it should be a sticky!

Well done, kampsy!

ScopeAspect · 02-03-2008, 01:59 PM

Solid info Kampsy and an excellent example. I cherish my Criterion CAV LaserDisc of Ghostbusters.

I think Carson said it best, "If you don't wanna see it in the theater, watch it on HBO a year later with the sides cut off."

Scope

02-02-2008, 07:26 PM	#1
kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,040	The Reason We Still Have Black Bars on Our Screens Someone was asking about this in another thread. Thought it would be helpful to more people so I started this thread. Here you go. Here are pics from Ghostbusters in different aspect ratios (AR) This is full screen on a 4:3 TV This is full screen on a 16x9 TV, or a 1:85:1 or 1:77:1 AR. This is what HBO and most other cable channels present movies in. Here is what the director intended you to see when filming in a 2:35:1 or 2:40:1 AR. In the case of Ghostbusters, 2:35:1 is the OAR Note the painting next to Bill, you can't even see it in anything other than OAR. Hope this helps. If you want to show off the size of your screen, look for movies with a 1:85:1 or 1:77:1 OAR. They will fill your screen and still give you directors intent. Crank is a prime example on Blu-Ray and Children of Men is a prime example on HD DVD. I would rather see all of my movie than fill up all of my screen personally. Last edited by kamspy; 02-02-2008 at 07:36 PM.

02-02-2008, 09:50 PM	#5
HiramAbiff HD-DVD--for movie lovers Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Age: 27 Posts: 1,390	Is that a LaserDisc cap? __________________ My HD DVD and DVD collection. My favorite movies. Mitsubishi WS-55315

02-02-2008, 11:17 PM	#7
eapleitez High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 389	Everytime someone bitches about "black bars", it will be standard protocol to direct them to this thread from now on. __________________ HD DVD: 159 BD: 59 JVC HD-56FN97 Toshiba HD-A2 Sony PS3 80GB Nintendo Wii Sega Dreamcast Radiient Calypso 5.0 speakers BIC HT-63 rear surrounds BIC H-100 Denon AVR-888 Harmony One remote

02-02-2008, 11:40 PM	#8
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,840	I have been telling this to folks for years. If I wanted 2/3rds of the movie I would buy the full screen edition, but who would be that moronic? __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~205~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *My Sister's Keeper* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

02-03-2008, 01:34 AM	#9
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,349	Great thread and it should be a sticky. We already have a sticky on this site called Bars, Bars & More bars, but I do not think it is seen by many people judging by all the continued questions about the bars still, and is just not as descriptive in the title as this thread is. Kudos for the perfect title name too. If I remember that scene properly, Bill Murray makes a series of funny facial expressions that are totally missed when they cut the AR down to 4:3 for cable stations. There are also other movies where even just having it cut down to 1.78:1 from say 2.4:1 would leave out such important parts of a movie. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

02-02-2008, 07:30 PM	#2
apocolypse High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 453	Holy shit, the difference between them is crazy. Nice post kamspy, thanks.

02-03-2008, 07:46 AM	#12
Superman HD makes my pants tight Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 35 Posts: 2,603	Someone should make this thread a sticky. __________________ Samsung 56" 720p DLP HDTV Olevia 42" 1080p LCD HDTV Onkyo TX-SR674 Receiver Onkyo TX-SR606 Receiver Velodyne CHT Front Row 5 piece speakers Sony SS-SR305 for 7.1 surround sound BIC H-100 subwoofer RCA HDV5000 HD DVD Player Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD Player Samsung BD-UP5000 BD/HD DVD Player Xbox 360 Pro PS3 60 gig My own personal AV/HD forum

02-03-2008, 11:25 AM	#13
kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,040	Thanks for the kind words everybody.

02-03-2008, 01:59 PM	#15
ScopeAspect Now with tint control! Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 48	Solid info Kampsy and an excellent example. I cherish my Criterion CAV LaserDisc of Ghostbusters. I think Carson said it best, "If you don't wanna see it in the theater, watch it on HBO a year later with the sides cut off." Scope __________________ Pioneer Elite PRO930HD Pioneer Elite DV79avi Pioneer Elite VSX 84TXSi Toshiba HD A1 Toshiba HD A3 Sony Playstation 3 (60GB) Mains - Polk Audio RTi 10 Center - Polk Audio CSi 5 Surrounds - Polk Audio FXi 5 Rears - Polk Audio FXi 5 Sub - Polk Audio PSW 10 Control Panel - Philips ProntoNG TSU3000

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