Which version should I backup?

[Taelon]

Apologies in advance if this isn't in the right forum, wasn't sure where to ask this, anyway...

I'm backing up "The Game" one side has the Standard 1.33:1 version, the other has a Widescreen 2.35:1 Letterbox version (not anamorphic). Both versions have the same 5.1 soundtrack. I captured some screens and was surprised at how much content was chopped off the top and bottom in the WS version. The image is pretty bad in both versions, which is a shame since it's an excellent thriller, macroblocking is very noticeable when zoomed in an image editor, but I actually think the FS version looks a little better.

We don't have a home theater, in fact most of the TV's in the house are pretty ancient. Eventually I hope to get a WS HDTV, but that's a ways off. Currently we watch most WS content at Zoom level 1, (yeah I know it's sacrilege).

I'm trying to decide which version to backup. If I burn the WS version and watch it at zoom 1, I'll be cutting off some of the WS content and since the letterboxing cutoff significant vertical content, I'll be missing out on that too. If I burn the FS version I'll be missing the WS content, but since there aren't any real panoramic scenes I'm not sure that will affect the viewing experience much.

Right now I'm leaning toward the FS version, and hope that some day they release an HD or at least anamorphic WS version.

[blutach]

Taelon, the 1:33 fills yer screen and you feel you haven't thrown away bux on a TV just to see black bars.

On the other hand, the folks who made that fantastic flick went to a olotta trouble to get a while lotta more vid on the screen in the horizontal plane.

2.35:1 for me every single time. You just miss too much of the flick otherwise. And I never zoom - I like to watch it the way the director intended.

But each to his own, I guess.

We really can't advise you on what you like!

More reading - see here. And I'm not all that sure that this isn't a joke.

Regards

[Taelon]

blutach, thanks for the feedback!

This is the first time I've ever even considered the FS over the WS version, would love to check the link you provided, but it's not working for me.

[blutach]

Click them again.

Regards

[Taelon]

FlikFX is pretty funny stuff!

[Taelon]

Ok, I created and uploaded 4 comparison images from "The Game". As you can see, each one shows the FS & WS captures reduced to half size. Notice how much of the vertical has been cutoff in the letterboxed version.


NOTE: Images may contain plot spoilers!


1) Who cares about architecture anyway?



2) I guess we still get the point.



3) The circle now looks like ( )



4) They cut the poor kids legs off, guess it was either that or the pretty chandelier.



all comments are welcome.

[blutach]

WS 4 me. You have picked 4 frames out of 180,000!!!

In fact, the real flick is WS not LB and no vid should be lost in the vertical plane.

Regards

[nwg]

Taelon.

Google "open matte" and you will get your answer why they look like that. The widescreen version is the way the Director wanted you to see it.

Also, the widescreen image needs to be zoomed or the image is squashed vertically if it non anamorphic.

Even, my five year old R2 is anamorphic.

[Taelon]

nwg,

Thanks for the tip about 'open matte' amazingly the 3rd link I checked (michaeldvd - Widescreen Primer pt2) actually includes an example from "The Game" in the section regarding '2.35:1 Films can use the Super 35 Process'.

There are a number of issues inherent in Super 35 cinematography and its open matte presentation. Firstly, since almost half of the original negative image is discarded when producing the theatrical print, the final resolution of the image is not as good as it would be with the conventional anamorphic process used for the production of 2.35:1 movies. The end result can be a very grainy looking theatrical image with poor image resolution.

This confirms that the transfer is NOT Anamorphic, however as you and blu have stated, apparently the LB version does preserve the "original theatrical aspect ratio" and thus conforms to the director's artistic vision, and ultimately that's what it's all about.

[blutach]

Back 'em both up How much are DVD-5 blank disks these days anyway?

Regards

[Taelon]

Back 'em both up How much are DVD-5 blank disks these days anyway?

It's become more an issue of storage than media cost

Anyway the WS backup looks great, thanks alot for the input guys

[blutach]

Yeah, those storge cases - The ones I get are A$45 for 120 disks.

Regards

[nwg]

nwg,

Thanks for the tip about 'open matte' amazingly the 3rd link I checked (michaeldvd - Widescreen Primer pt2) actually includes an example from "The Game" in the section regarding '2.35:1 Films can use the Super 35 Process'.This confirms that the transfer is NOT Anamorphic, however as you and blu have stated, apparently the LB version does preserve the "original theatrical aspect ratio" and thus conforms to the director's artistic vision, and ultimately that's what it's all about.

I like Michael's site for info about R4 discs.

Because open matte isn't really supposed to be seen. It is possible to get things like boom microphones at the top of the picture. These would be cut on a widescreen version.

Sometimes, the movie is filmed using super 35 shape with the intention that they will aways frame each scene for widescreen. It just makes it easier to transfer it to VHS and have it full screen.