Ladder 49 Widescreen???

[abrouwer]

I have purchased two copies of Ladder 49 Widescreen DVD and both of them have not been widescreen. Anyone else experience that or is it just me?

[backdraft663]

Couldnt help you there but why would you want widescreen?

[Engine58]

In NJ at least in my area they have a choice of video to purchase wide screen or full screen...I prefer full screen so you have those annoying black lines on the top and bottom...If I wanted to go to a theatre I would of went to one...

[FyrGuy176]

abrouwer, what kind of TV are you using, are the settings on TV and/or DVD player set properly.

Also what aspect ratio does the DVD say it is formatted in?
A 16x9 wide-screen TV = about 1.77 to 1. Most wide-screen DVDs are formatted in 1.85 to 1, or 2.35 to 1. The wider the aspect ratio is, the more black area you will see at the top and bottom of the screen.

[EFD840]

Originally posted by backdraft663
Couldnt help you there but why would you want widescreen?

So you don't miss the stuff they have to cut to make the movie fit a TV's screen.

Here's a simple explanation (http://www.reelclassics.com/Techtalk/panscan-article.htm)

[hfd4144]

There are 2 versions of this on the market. Your area may not sell the wide screen. You may have better luck finding a wide screen version on ebay.
You are better off according to a family member that works in a major electronic retail store, to purchase dvd's in the wide screen version. this is in part to the fact most of the new televisions being made are built with width in mind and not the old square. It was told to be that it wont be long before all tv's will be somewhat on the wide screen style. with this in mind, wide screen is the only thing I buy and I buy plenty of dvds a month.
Hope this helps
HFD4144

[backdraft663]

It does seem like widescreen is becoming a big thing nowadays.

[Weruj1]

If you are refering to the "black bands" on the top and bottom of the widescreen version (which is what I have) on my tv they were minimal, if you note the disclaimer at the begining "this motion picture has been formatted to fit your blah blah .........." thats what it means.

[abrouwer]

The version I bought said widescreen on the case and widescreen on the dvd itself, yet the movie was not widescreen. I returned it to walmart and got another widescreen one and this one too was not widescreen.

[ChiefReason]

I bought widescreen and got widescreen.
I prefer it over full screen because it creates a crisper picture on my 36" TV.
I think you may have gotten in on some bad packaging.
If nothing else, get your money back and try a different store.
CR

[mcaldwell]

I am fond of viewing movies in their original formats, so I am a fan of wide screen, but like CR I have a large TV, so it is suitable. Wide screen can be a pain on smaller TV's because your image appears so small.

I too bought the L49 Wide Screen, but it is actually 16x9, or HDTV dimension. It does say that in small print on the case. This is not true Wide Screen, but it is pretty common now as 16x9 TV's are beginning take over the market. It is a fair sacrifice IMHO.

As mentioned, if you don't think you are getting 16x9, check your playback settings, and maybe try it on a friends TV. :)

[EricCSU]

Originally posted by backdraft663
Couldnt help you there but why would you want widescreen?

So you can see the whole movie, not just half at a time :)

Eric