People you don't know and widescreen.

[Trebor]

I don't know if it belongs here but here goes....

A few weeks ago I saw a family getting about nine or ten dvd's and then heard the husband and wife discussing if it was "that stupid widescreen, or the real version". Would you, DVD file reader, stop and educate them or just let them be stupid? I didn't say anything myself, and know from past experience that some people will not believe you that the "black bars" are suppose to be there or improve the picture. I've even encountered people that when shown actual proof that you get the full picture with the "black bars" they still let the bars bother them.

So, what would you do?

[manigrasso]

I can't speak for the board, but personally, I've reached the point where I just don't give a rat's ass.

Don't get me wrong, I still care greatly about seeing movies in their OAR, but the idea of approaching a complete stranger, and trying to edu-ma-cate 'em on the virtues of widescreen when they're steadfast in their belief that they're losing picture if it's in widescreen...who cares? Let 'em be happy, as long as the movies that I want are available in OAR. Sure, there's the possibility that ALL the studios will one day only produce P&S DVDs, but the odds of that are pretty damn slim. I firmly believe the studios are trying to figure out exactly how to please all of us. Hell, before DVD took off, I was buying widescreen VHS tapes (couldn't afford an LD back then), and the studios KNOW a lot of us will refuse to buy a movie, even one of our favorites, if it's not in OAR. Sure, there are some exceptions, but usually NOT movies that a lot of people will want in their collection. For instance, a lot of the full-frame DVDs Warner Brothers released were catalog titles that were primarily produced to expand the libraries of video stores. They weren't high in-demand. But a clear majority of movies are in their OAR-only, or have separate discs, or FF & OAR on the same disc or in the same package. So if someone really wants their TV filled, what do I care? Just give me what I want, if you expect any of my disposable income. If the day comes where OAR is truly in jeopardy, then I'll get on my high horse. But again, I firmly doubt that'll ever happen.

[Miggy]

It's hard to explain it to the average person without drawing out diagrams and charts, and I usually don't have pencil and paper with me. You start talking aspect ratio and 1.85:1 and widescreen and letterbox and they get lost. And the sad fact is, some people would still be bothered (for whatever reason I'll never understand) by the black bars even if they know that's the way to get all of the movie the way it was filmed.

I will say I will definitely advise someone IF they happen to ask me what's the difference b/w the two. Otherwise, I don't bother.

I did have a situation I debated about last week. I went to Walmart to see if they had the widescreen version of The Ring, which they did, although they were scattered around. I rearranged everything to put all the widescreen versions on the top shelf. I considered putting a WS copy on top of each of the P&S stacks, but then didn't. This older lady saw me with my copy and picked up one of her own. She asked me if it were any good. I glanced over and saw she had a P&S version. I was so tempted to say, "Yes, it is, but not in THAT format!" I hesitated and then finally just said, yes, it's a really good movie. She then bought the DVD she was holding. I just had the feeling that she would be getting that version no matter what I said.

I just feel confident that WS will always be at least available, like it was on VHS, even if it starts to becomes less prominent.

Miggy, the Thief

[wahlers]

Don't care.

Let them be ignorant.

Just say it with me:

"Person is smart.
People are dumb."

That's my philosophy.

[Templar]

I try, depending on who the person is or what the attitude they have is. If someone asks me of course I tell the the advantages.

If someone's friendly I'll tell them not to get P&S. For every P&S sale that occurs I fear that execs will say "well DVD is not longer an 'afficionado' format, let's move all our shit over to P&S".

Irrational? Probably (especially with HDTV and the new format ratio), but I would just die if the Indy trilogy came out only in P&S, you know? I would probably go mad.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by Trebor
I've even encountered people that when shown actual proof that you get the full picture with the "black bars" they still let the bars bother them.

If these were people having a conversation that I was NOT part of, I would NOT say anything to them.

As for your comment that I've quoted, letting the "black bars bother them" doesn't necessarily imply ignorance on their part. Once they've been given the "proof" of how much picture loss can result from P&S cropping, they've been "educated" to understand the difference. Does that mean they will want to contend with the "black bars" when they watch movies at home? Maybe or maybe not. Again, this gets back to my preference argument.

Something that really "chaps my hide" is when I read stories of how people have been "educated" about widescreen DVDs and their "educational information" itself was wrong.... at least get the facts straight...

"Can't we all just get along...."

Peace......

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by manigrasso
If the day comes where OAR is truly in jeopardy, then I'll get on my high horse. But again, I firmly doubt that'll ever happen.

I will be right there with you... fighting to the end....

Peace.....

[Oscar Antonio M]

I dont say anything to them unless they ask.
The other day i was at Wal-Mart checking through some DVD's an some couple approached to me "Hey do you know if this stuff is in spanish?" and i answered them "Its subtitled" and they said to me "Yeah, but isnt it dubbed?" and i told me "No, it isnt. And dubbings are not exactly good, anyway" and then they asked "And what is this widescreen and full screen thing?" i replied to them "Well, since movies are filmed in a way that resembles a rectangle they have to crop them to fit a TV screen which are as you can see shaped like a rectangle, and so the whole filmed image can fit into the TV screen they have to put black bars on the top and bottom so the picture is smaller and fits" and they responded "Thanks a lot, sir" and they went away with the widescreen.

And Tomdkat, i absolutely agree with all your statements. You are so right, IMO.

[Trebor]

That's about what I do, if I'm not in the conversation then I don't say anything, but I posted here thinking about how Blockbuster and others are pushing for Fullscreen and wouldn't want to see DVD go the way of VHS and not see many Widescreen.

[octopus1256]

Black bars bother me but only because i am on a 4:3.

My dad was a little annoyed at seeing black bars on the Enemy @ The Gates dvd, and so was I to be honest since it was our new w/s tv. I know the benifits but I'd rather have regular 16:9 than 2.35:1 'morphic'.

[SidcupMartin]

Originally posted by octopus1256
Black bars bother me but only because i am on a 4:3.

My dad was a little annoyed at seeing black bars on the Enemy @ The Gates dvd, and so was I to be honest since it was our new w/s tv. I know the benifits but I'd rather have regular 16:9 than 2.35:1 'morphic'.

take him out the back and shoot him... [/jke]

i don't know if it's just me but i got tired real quick of the "i saw someone in walmart and i just had to say something" threads not on here as such (although there has been a few) but other forums where they are a bit more ... ahem... maniacal about it.

i am in favour of oar and will always buy the w/s if it is available which to be honest the majority of releases are these days, yes, i have bought p&s but only if it's only available on that and when i have it's been for the kids.

if someone wants to watch a p&s movie then that is their concern -- i have more important things to worry about without having to pick them up on something which is none of my concern. as long as i can watch movies the way i want to then that is all that matters...

[bhpaul]

When I see someone with a full screen copy of a dual release title, I hand them a widescreen copy and say "were you looking for this one?". Most of the time they thank me and had just overlooked the other side of the display. If they say "no", then I just shoot them a look like they are crazy and walk away. No one has tried to defend their choice of full screen yet.

[Flash Ahhh]

I do not try and help anyone if they don't ask. I just try and mind my own business.

I do notice at a lot of stores (Suncoast is a perfect example) if they have a display up front, all the full screen versions are on the front display and the widescreens are on the regular shelves, or on the backside of the display. I don't think that is fair. It's as if retailers are deliberately trying to get full screen purchased so studios lean towards full screen releases only.

Well, you know it will be all those full screen owning DVD people that will be complaining someday when TV's all go to 16:9. Oh well.

If someone asks my opinion, I gladly help if I have to time. I always end up knowing more than the slaes clerk at the store.

-Flash

[rgw825]

I do notice at a lot of stores (Suncoast is a perfect example) if they have a display up front, all the full screen versions are on the front display and the widescreens are on the regular shelves, or on the backside of the display. I don't think that is fair. It's as if retailers are deliberately trying to get full screen purchased so studios lean towards full screen releases only.

Another posibility is that they don't want to get stuck with too many Full Screens down the road. My local Wal-Mart had a whole display of Episode 1 Full Screens they had on clearance for about $10 or $15 a piece i believe, just about the same time Spiderman was released.

But Who Knows

My collection

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by rgw825
Another posibility is that they don't want to get stuck with too many Full Screens down the road.

This makes sense to me. I'm sure if stores had difficulty "moving" widescreen versions of titles, they would either not stock them or move them into a spot where they would get the most visibility with the intent they could move their inventory.

Or maybe I'm just biased toward widescreen versions...

Peace...

[jondaris]

I won't say anything, but I'm not going to help them buy PS either. I was in BJs (an east coast equivalent to Sam's Club) when two women were looking at a Spiderman display.

One was complaining that all they had were widescreen versions. I knew that the PS versions were in a different section, but I was damned if I was going to be helpful.

[rawbery79]

Hopefully someday I have a store-I would only stock widescreen. I don't care if I'd lose a few white trash customers, I'd rather sell widescreen.

And it was irritating hearing this guy-he looked intelligent.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by rawbery79
white trash customers

Are comments like this really necessary?

Peace....

[aintnosin]

Originally posted by bhpaul
When I see someone with a full screen copy of a dual release title, I hand them a widescreen copy and say "were you looking for this one?". Most of the time they thank me and had just overlooked the other side of the display. If they say "no", then I just shoot them a look like they are crazy and walk away. No one has tried to defend their choice of full screen yet.

Instead of just shooting them a "look," do this instead: Say, "ohh-kay" like they told you they have a bomb strapped to their chest, then back away slowly, talking into your collar like you're summoning security...

[rawbery79]

Originally posted by tomdkat
Are comments like this really necessary?

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. Thats just the way it slants in Iowa-I mean no disrespect.

I'll rephrase-"I would stock widescreen to appeal to a (hopefully) higher class of intelligence in my consumers."

[greatfoxmusic]

Maybe to a higher class containing the presence of larger amounts of those dead presidents in the billfold.

Plus the hardcore trailer inhabitants are still sportin' those high-falootin' Vee Tee Aar thangs!

[asphodel5]

I don't like getting involved in discussions with total strangers either. I've had a few people who were shopping for their grandchildren ask me which version of a movie to buy. I'm not sure why they ask me about it. I guess I look friendly. I've also had a few people that I work with ask me about DVDs. I try to inform them, but again, they aren't total strangers.
I rarely go to video stores anymore, but sometimes I do go to rent something when I visit my parents. On those occasions, I purposefully make comments about the full screen DVDs to my mom. I've had a couple of people ask me what's wrong with those versions.

As other people have stated, as long as OAR DVDs are available for me to purchase, I try to let people do as they please. Luckily, I think that most of the movies that I like will be safe from P&S only releases. If not...

[bigmdime]

Is there anything more frustrating than grabbing a DVD on your way out of the store, getting home and realizing it's full screen? Sometimes, you don't realize there are two versions, and the labeling is so tiny you can't even see it.

This happened to me with both LOTR and Minority Report - and they wouldn't take MR back...

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by bigmdime
Is there anything more frustrating than grabbing a DVD on your way out of the store, getting home and realizing it's full screen? Sometimes, you don't realize there are two versions, and the labeling is so tiny you can't even see it.

Dude... you're a member of "The File" now... This should NOT be happening....

If it happens again, we'll have no choice but to revoke your membership...

(joking of course.... )

Peace....

[aintnosin]

Originally posted by tomdkat
Dude... you're a member of "The File" now... This should NOT be happening....

If it happens again, we'll have no choice but to revoke your membership...

(joking of course.... )

Peace....

He's not joking! If you browse around the forum, you'll see a bunch of people with the word "banned" under their names. That's exactly what happened to them!!!









OK, so I'm kidding too.

[bigmdime]

Originally posted by tomdkat
Dude... you're a member of "The File" now... This should NOT be happening....

If it happens again, we'll have no choice but to revoke your membership...

(joking of course.... )

Peace....

werd.

anyway, so much for first impressions

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by bigmdime
anyway, so much for first impressions

My last impression is my best impression anyway....

You will soon find that I tend to joke around with people here so please just ignore me...

Welcome aboard!

Oh yeah, if you feel like it post your Home Theater gear in the "Your Home Theater" forum so we can check out your gear!