Full Widescreen Image?
Dear Gary: Love your Web site and magazine—I get it every month. Here is a question that may be of interest to a lot of other readers as well on this exciting new D-VHS D-Theater format. I own a Sony 36-inch Australian HDTV-ready set. It accepts 480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i. When I play a NON-anamorphic DVD on my progressive scan player, the letterbox picture displayed is quite small. The TV has no (I think you call it) “zoom” mode using the HD progressive input. But most of my DVDs (90 percent) are all anamorphic (enhanced for widescreen TVs). Those DVDs fill the whole screen (if aspect ratio is 1:85) or fill up most of it (e.g., a 2.35:1 aspect ratio film)—which is correct? I am interested in purchasing the JVC D-VHS player and my question is if I play a D-VHS D-Theater prerecorded movie that will be in widescreen, will it fill up all/most of the screen such an anamorphic DVD? I obviously hope it will!
Mark Hoepfl
mailto:Hoepfl.Mark@emeryworld.com
Editor-In-Chief Gary Reber Comments:
Titles released in D-VHS D-Theater format are promised to be in their original widescreen theatrical aspect ratio, which typically is either 1.85:1 or 2.35:1. The resolution will be 1080i. Thus, at 1.85:1, D-Theater titles will virtually fill your 1.78:1 aspect ratio Sony HDTV screen. At 2.35:1, there will be black bars top and bottom, which frame the 2.35:1 aspect ratio within the 1.78:1 aspect ratio of your Sony’s screen.
You can E-mail Widescreen Review @ mailto:editorgary@widescreenreview.com