Is It Widescreen Or Not?
Dear Gary: The aspect ratio for the Roger Waters: In The Flesh Live DVD was listed in your review as widescreen and anamorphic. Every store I’ve checked (Web and retail) only lists the standard (1.33:1/4:3) aspect ratio. What am I missing and/or how can I get a copy of the widescreen version? JR DiAndrea
Research Editor and Staff Writer Michael Coate Comments:
How can you get a copy of the widescreen-format Roger Waters: In The Flesh Live DVD? Simply go back to any of the stores you saw it at and purchase it! The Roger Waters DVD is indeed a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen-format release. However, the DVD jacket does not indicate any details regarding the picture format, so perhaps this is why the stores you have looked in are under the impression the disc is 1.33:1. In my encounters, far too many video stores and Internet sources list incorrect or incomplete data. It’s not always their fault, though. Often, the press releases and sales sheets sent in advance of release contain incorrect or incomplete information, particularly when it comes to a disc’s technical details. The same goes for us when gathering information for the magazine and Web site. You do the best you can and simply make additions, deletions, and corrections as you go (though I can’t speak for other sources regarding the “additions, deletions, and corrections” part). Unfortunately, music video and concert-type DVDs (more so than feature films) all too often do not include the technical details on their jackets, particularly those issued on the Columbia Music Video (CMV) label (which is the label the Roger Waters disc was released on). It seems to me that many of the music title suppliers are counting on selling the discs based on the appeal of the artist alone, and not due to a particular feature included on the disc. Other CMV DVDs that don’t indicate widescreen-format status on their packaging include Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live In New York City and Charlotte Church: Enchantment. Similarly, A&M/Universal Music’s recent releases of Bryan Adams: Live At Slane Castle and Sting...All This Time not only do not indicate picture format (both feature 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen), but state the discs’ soundtrack format as Dolby® Surround, when both include full Dolby Digital 5.1. Other fairly recent music DVD releases that do not indicate on their packaging that they are widescreen editions include: Paul Simon: You’re The One In Concert From Paris and House Of Yes: Live From House Of Blues (also a D-VHS® D-Theater™ HD release). In addition, Elton John: One Night Only The Greatest Hits Live includes a DTS® Digital Surround™ option but indicates only Dolby Digital on its packaging. And yet in other cases, many of the titles that do include DTS soundtracks feature a logo on their jacket so small, you probably wouldn’t realize DTS is present until searching through a disc’s menu. (Sade: Lovers Live is one such DVD that includes the tiniest of tiny DTS logos, though it’s a good thing since there is no DTS track included on the disc!) I guess these are examples of where a disc review may be helpful if the technical details are a factor in your purchase or rental. In our reviews, we try to mention items that may be mislabeled or missing on the packaging, though there are certainly occasions where we either don’t have space or...simply forget to include them. You know, there are so many details included in our magazine that I’m amazed we are able to include what we do and still get the issue to the printer on time! In any event, if any details need clarification, don't hesitate to contact us.
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