Laserdiscs in "anamorphic widescreen" format?? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Daniel Shock · 06-29-2002, 08:27 PM

I just received my copies of the Indiana Jones movies on laserdisc purchased on ebay. On the back they say that the black bars are normal and that these laserdiscs are in "anamorphic widescreen". I haven't watched them yet because my laserdisc player is hooked up to the computer at the momment and the computer is busy. So I can't check it. Were laserdiscs released with anamorphic images? Or is this just a different application of the word?

tomdkat · 06-29-2002, 09:00 PM

I've read over on AVS Forum that some LDs had anamorphic video on them, but mostly the term "anamorphic" had a different meaning in LD land.

If you search on "anamorphic laserdisc" over at AVS Forum, you should be able to find threads that answer that question.

Here is one example.

Peace.....

Bjørn N · 06-30-2002, 02:47 PM

The AVS thread was good but didn't really cover all the aspects.

Yes, anamorphic laserdiscs do exist, but they can not be downconverted for 4:3 by the player like anamorphic DVD's. An anamorphic laserdisc can only be wieved on a widescreen TV (without looking stretched that is)

The raiders of the lost ark Laser is not an anamorphic laserdisc. So why does Paramount claim it is? Because it was filmed anamorphic. Anamorphic means two different things in conjunction with DVD/LD and film.

As you probably already know, movies can be filmed in quite different methods. Check out http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/ for a rundown, but essentially as I've understood it, the anamorphic lens is curved so that it stretches the picture vertically on the film strips, thus getting more details. During projection you need a special lens to view it correctly.

No doubt I've glossed over entirely too much information, this is not by any means my field, just the little pieces of information I've picked up over the years after asking the same questions, and if you find this fascinating there is a lot to learn. Personally I don't want to be an expert in the technical bit, but after a while it becomes unavoidable to pick up a few of the very basics.

To sum up a little, anamorphic can have quite different meanings in movies and home video. Also, a movie does not have to be filmed anamorphic to have an anamorphic transfer on LD or DVD, the two things have nothing to do with each other.

tomdkat · 06-30-2002, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bjørn N
To sum up a little, anamorphic can have quite different meanings in movies and home video.

That thread I posted was just ONE of many threads at AVS Forum that discuss the matter.

If you conduct a more thorough search at AVS Forum for this topic, you can find much more detailed discussion about it.

Peace......

feldon23 · 07-01-2002, 05:36 AM

Readers Digest version:

When Paramount says anamorphic, they are talking about lenses, not about supporting (requiring in the case of anamorphic widescreen laserdiscs) widescreen displays.

Daniel Shock · 07-01-2002, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the replies. I understand the whole anamorphic concept that applies to both film and video. However, it seems that Paramount labeling the laserdisc as anamorphic is not correct. I had purchased a film print with the anamorphic stretch, fine. But this was a laserdisc. Oh well, I'm bitching about something that was labeled and released awhile ago...no point.

Thanks again!

06-29-2002, 08:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Daniel Shock Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA	Laserdiscs in "anamorphic widescreen" format?? I just received my copies of the Indiana Jones movies on laserdisc purchased on ebay. On the back they say that the black bars are normal and that these laserdiscs are in "anamorphic widescreen". I haven't watched them yet because my laserdisc player is hooked up to the computer at the momment and the computer is busy. So I can't check it. Were laserdiscs released with anamorphic images? Or is this just a different application of the word? __________________ Daniel Shock My DVD collection

06-29-2002, 09:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	I've read over on AVS Forum that some LDs had anamorphic video on them, but mostly the term "anamorphic" had a different meaning in LD land. If you search on "anamorphic laserdisc" over at AVS Forum, you should be able to find threads that answer that question. Here is one example. Peace..... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

06-30-2002, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bjørn N Actor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oslo, Norway	The AVS thread was good but didn't really cover all the aspects. Yes, anamorphic laserdiscs do exist, but they can not be downconverted for 4:3 by the player like anamorphic DVD's. An anamorphic laserdisc can only be wieved on a widescreen TV (without looking stretched that is) The raiders of the lost ark Laser is not an anamorphic laserdisc. So why does Paramount claim it is? Because it was filmed anamorphic. Anamorphic means two different things in conjunction with DVD/LD and film. As you probably already know, movies can be filmed in quite different methods. Check out http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/ for a rundown, but essentially as I've understood it, the anamorphic lens is curved so that it stretches the picture vertically on the film strips, thus getting more details. During projection you need a special lens to view it correctly. No doubt I've glossed over entirely too much information, this is not by any means my field, just the little pieces of information I've picked up over the years after asking the same questions, and if you find this fascinating there is a lot to learn. Personally I don't want to be an expert in the technical bit, but after a while it becomes unavoidable to pick up a few of the very basics. To sum up a little, anamorphic can have quite different meanings in movies and home video. Also, a movie does not have to be filmed anamorphic to have an anamorphic transfer on LD or DVD, the two things have nothing to do with each other. __________________ Bjørn Olav Nyberg Oslo, Norway DVD \| LD \| Games

07-01-2002, 01:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Daniel Shock Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA	Thanks for the replies. I understand the whole anamorphic concept that applies to both film and video. However, it seems that Paramount labeling the laserdisc as anamorphic is not correct. I had purchased a film print with the anamorphic stretch, fine. But this was a laserdisc. Oh well, I'm bitching about something that was labeled and released awhile ago...no point. Thanks again! __________________ Daniel Shock My DVD collection

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07-01-2002, 05:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
feldon23 Actor Join Date: Oct 2000	Readers Digest version: When Paramount says anamorphic, they are talking about lenses, not about supporting (requiring in the case of anamorphic widescreen laserdiscs) widescreen displays.