Question regarding 16:9 aspect ratio on Blu-ray

[codecougar]

OK, this is probably a dumb question, but here it goes...

I have a Sony Blu-ray player hooked up to a 42" JVC 1080P LCD television via a HDMI cable. I notice that when I play some Blu-ray discs, I get a full 16:9 picture with no black bars on the top and bottom. However, other movies (Casino Royale for example), I still get black bars on the top/ bottom.

Why is this? There is no way for me to change the aspect ratio when playing these movies. Is it just because some movies are shot differently?

Thanks !!

[codecougar]

OK, this is probably a dumb question, but here it goes...

I have a Sony Blu-ray player hooked up to a 42" JVC 1080P LCD television via a HDMI cable. I notice that when I play some Blu-ray discs, I get a full 16:9 picture with no black bars on the top and bottom. However, other movies (Casino Royale for example), I still get black bars on the top/ bottom.

Why is this? There is no way for me to change the aspect ratio when playing these movies. Is it just because some movies are shot differently?

Thanks !!

Listen you moron. Why don't you research this stuff before posting it ??

I did some research and came up with an answer to my own question. It appears this is normal and due to different films being shot in different aspect ratios.

[musicman1999]

You are both right.

bill

[PeruvianSkies]

Yes, CASINO ROYALE is shot in what is known as Scope, which is at a ratio of 2.35 X 1, where widecreen TV's are 16:9 monitors. If you divide 16 by 9 you get roughly 1.77, which is close to the 1.85 X 1 aspect ratio known as Flat. Some movies are shot in Flat and others are shot in Scope, depending on what the filmmakers want to do. A Non widescreen TV or film is in a 1.33 X 1 aspect ratio, which is why the size is only slightly wider than it is high. Scope is the widest and there are even small variations of this, like Ben Hur, which was shot in a aspect ratio close to 3 to 1, or 2.76 X 1 roughly. That means it was 3 times wider than it was high, which if you ever saw movies in CinemaScope you know that they use 3 screens of equal size in order to make the picture really wide.

[codecougar]

Yes, CASINO ROYALE is shot in what is known as Scope, which is at a ratio of 2.35 X 1, where widecreen TV's are 16:9 monitors. If you divide 16 by 9 you get roughly 1.77, which is close to the 1.85 X 1 aspect ratio known as Flat. Some movies are shot in Flat and others are shot in Scope, depending on what the filmmakers want to do. A Non widescreen TV or film is in a 1.33 X 1 aspect ratio, which is why the size is only slightly wider than it is high. Scope is the widest and there are even small variations of this, like Ben Hur, which was shot in a aspect ratio close to 3 to 1, or 2.76 X 1 roughly. That means it was 3 times wider than it was high, which if you ever saw movies in CinemaScope you know that they use 3 screens of equal size in order to make the picture really wide.

cool info. thanks !

now I want to rent Ben Hur just to check out the aspect ratio !

[PeruvianSkies]

cool info. thanks !

now I want to rent Ben Hur just to check out the aspect ratio !

The DVD for BEN-HUR is 2.76 X 1, which was the aspect ratio for the film on the 70mm prints. The newer DVD edition looks wonderful and would be a great title to check out. Also, BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI was shot around 2.55 X 1 and is another film with great scope composition.

[pixelthis]

cool info. thanks !

now I want to rent Ben Hur just to check out the aspect ratio !

If your set can show 24 fps (each frame three times for 72 fps) then you are seeing the best pic thats possible with todays tech
Theres a way to get rid of those bars BTW.
Runco makes a special curved screen and lens set for front projectors that shows 2:35-1
movies full screen.
I beleive the price is around 75,000$

[PeruvianSkies]

cool info. thanks !

now I want to rent Ben Hur just to check out the aspect ratio !

So did you rent it yet?

[codecougar]

So did you rent it yet?

not yet. I am having some trouble with my audio set up. Should be up and running in a week or so then I will check it out.