What's a quick, simple way to explain "anamorphic" to the uninformed?
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What's a quick, simple way to explain "anamorphic" to the uninformed?
Whenever I explain what anamorphic means to someone who knows little about DVD, I usually go into too much detail and end up confusing them even more. This is expecially true when the person doesn't understand aspect ratios. If it takes too long to get the idea across, they tune out. So what is the easiest, quickest way to make "J6P" (or whatever other names you have for them) understand the concept of anamorphic DVD? Can it be done in 2 or 3 sentences?
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I have always thought that if a disc is anamorphic you won't get the bars on the top or bottom on a widescreen TV, if it is non-anamorphic you get the bars like on a normal tv but the picture will be smaller. It only affects widescreen tvs. Thats how i've always understood it.
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Originally posted by Muzzler
I have always thought that if a disc is anamorphic you won't get the bars on the top or bottom on a widescreen TV, if it is non-anamorphic you get the bars like on a normal tv but the picture will be smaller. It only affects widescreen tvs. Thats how i've always understood it.
I have always thought that if a disc is anamorphic you won't get the bars on the top or bottom on a widescreen TV, if it is non-anamorphic you get the bars like on a normal tv but the picture will be smaller. It only affects widescreen tvs. Thats how i've always understood it.
Fyi,
This is incorrect! movies shot in 2:35 OAR (which are most films) still have the black bars on a widescreen set but don`t take away from the overall enjoyment..
Lawrence Of Arabia is a perfect example why ALL movies should be viewed on a widescreen set it looks great and uses the entire screen..
There are hundreds of other of course but that one always stands out for me everytime I watch it
I use to have a 43 inch set b4 and it doesn`t even compare..The only down side is now I`m stuck with having to watch my tv box sets (Buffy,STNG) with the grey bars on the side..It`s a bit odd at first but you get use to it..
Once you buy a widescreen set you really only want to watch 16X9 anamorphic content as much as possible
Cheers!
Last edited by shanester; 04-10-03 at 06:17 AM.
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Just say something like, it allows for a better quality picture and if you have a Widescreen TV then it should be able to take full advantage of this. If they don't have a Widescreen then they may have the option of reducing the amount of the black space that appears on-screen without buying a special copy - thereby future proofing the purchase in case they upgrade.
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How's this:
Anamorphic video encodes only the portion of the picture that would be viewed on a widescreen set, thereby taking full advantage of the vertical resolution of widescreen sets by not encoding (or encoding less of) the "black bars". When an anamorphic widescreen movie is played back on a standard TV, the DVD player puts the "black bars" back in.
If they're still interested, send them here: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...hic/index.html
If they're still interested, send them here: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...hic/index.html
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Malticor hits the nail on the head. Even without a WS TV, anamorphic is still superior as it uses all efforts in making the picture and none in creating black bars. No waste, better picture.
Welcome, Malticor, cool new member(?). Here a year and still new, eh? Anyway, GOOD ANSWER !
Welcome, Malticor, cool new member(?). Here a year and still new, eh? Anyway, GOOD ANSWER !
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It doesn't affect just widescreen TVs. Many Sony (and some other brands) 4:3 sets have an anamorphic squeeze mode. So you can have a standard TV set and still gain the higher-quality resolution of an anamorphic transfer.
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Originally posted by rasalas
It doesn't affect just widescreen TVs. Many Sony (and some other brands) 4:3 sets have an anamorphic squeeze mode. So you can have a standard TV set and still gain the higher-quality resolution of an anamorphic transfer.
It doesn't affect just widescreen TVs. Many Sony (and some other brands) 4:3 sets have an anamorphic squeeze mode. So you can have a standard TV set and still gain the higher-quality resolution of an anamorphic transfer.
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Originally posted by jblackie
Malticor hits the nail on the head. Even without a WS TV, anamorphic is still superior as it uses all efforts in making the picture and none in creating black bars. No waste, better picture.
Malticor hits the nail on the head. Even without a WS TV, anamorphic is still superior as it uses all efforts in making the picture and none in creating black bars. No waste, better picture.
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#12
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Originally posted by audrey
On a conventional 4:3 there is zero additional resolution over a non-anamorphic transfer.
On a conventional 4:3 there is zero additional resolution over a non-anamorphic transfer.
Non-anamorphics have every line intact.
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Originally posted by GuessWho
Actually, there would be LESS resolution with an anamorphic on a conventional set since you're combining every 4 lines of vertical resolution into 3 until the correct aspect ratio is achieved.
Non-anamorphics have every line intact.
Actually, there would be LESS resolution with an anamorphic on a conventional set since you're combining every 4 lines of vertical resolution into 3 until the correct aspect ratio is achieved.
Non-anamorphics have every line intact.
#14
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Originally posted by GuessWho
Actually, there would be LESS resolution with an anamorphic on a conventional set since you're combining every 4 lines of vertical resolution into 3 until the correct aspect ratio is achieved.
Actually, there would be LESS resolution with an anamorphic on a conventional set since you're combining every 4 lines of vertical resolution into 3 until the correct aspect ratio is achieved.
An anamorphic DVD downconverted to 4:3 letterbox winds up with the exact same amount of resolution as if it had been a non-anamorphic transfer.
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Originally posted by shanester
Lawrence Of Arabia is a perfect example why ALL movies should be viewed on a widescreen set it looks great and uses the entire screen..
Lawrence Of Arabia is a perfect example why ALL movies should be viewed on a widescreen set it looks great and uses the entire screen..
Other than that, I agree with ya, mostly. A good 16X9 is the only way to view anamorphic DVDs. I still have a 36" tube for my 4X3 material but my 16X9 looks outstanding on anamorphic discs. However, I wouldn't personally use LOA as a demo type disc to show off a 16X9. The cinematography is, no doubt, stunning but the transfer is still hit and miss with me... It's possible that the (supposed) upcoming Superbit of LOA could improve on some of the shortcomings, but I doubt it.
Now that I've gotten waaaaaaaaaaay off topic here... Um... I agree with everyone else on the short answer for the term anamorphic.
Last edited by Johnny Zhivago; 04-10-03 at 12:20 PM.
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My J6P quick explanation (what do you think?):
When TV began to compete with film, films went widescreen.
To achieve a superwide image a special lens is used on the camera that distorts a wide image by compresing space horizontically to fit it on non-wide size film strips. When the non-wide film strip is projected in a theater, a similar lens is used to uncompress the image on the screen.
All of this is done digitally with DVD mastering of the image.
When TV began to compete with film, films went widescreen.
To achieve a superwide image a special lens is used on the camera that distorts a wide image by compresing space horizontically to fit it on non-wide size film strips. When the non-wide film strip is projected in a theater, a similar lens is used to uncompress the image on the screen.
All of this is done digitally with DVD mastering of the image.
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Originally posted by audrey
Your statement is a bit misleading. To benefit from an anamorphic transfer you must use a WS TV or a 4:3 set that supports anamporphic squeeze. On a conventional 4:3 there is zero additional resolution over a non-anamorphic transfer.
Your statement is a bit misleading. To benefit from an anamorphic transfer you must use a WS TV or a 4:3 set that supports anamporphic squeeze. On a conventional 4:3 there is zero additional resolution over a non-anamorphic transfer.
#18
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Originally posted by LightTrinity
My J6P quick explanation (what do you think?):
When TV began to compete with film, films went widescreen.
To achieve a superwide image a special lens is used on the camera that distorts a wide image by compresing space horizontically to fit it on non-wide size film strips. When the non-wide film strip is projected in a theater, a similar lens is used to uncompress the image on the screen.
All of this is done digitally with DVD mastering of the image.
My J6P quick explanation (what do you think?):
When TV began to compete with film, films went widescreen.
To achieve a superwide image a special lens is used on the camera that distorts a wide image by compresing space horizontically to fit it on non-wide size film strips. When the non-wide film strip is projected in a theater, a similar lens is used to uncompress the image on the screen.
All of this is done digitally with DVD mastering of the image.
Any movie with an aspect ratio 1.66:1 or greater can be anamorphically enhanced on DVD, regardless of its original photographic process. See the link I posted above for a full explanation.
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Originally posted by LightTrinity
My J6P quick explanation (what do you think?):
When TV began to compete with film, films went widescreen.
To achieve a superwide image a special lens is used on the camera that distorts a wide image by compresing space horizontically to fit it on non-wide size film strips. When the non-wide film strip is projected in a theater, a similar lens is used to uncompress the image on the screen.
All of this is done digitally with DVD mastering of the image.
My J6P quick explanation (what do you think?):
When TV began to compete with film, films went widescreen.
To achieve a superwide image a special lens is used on the camera that distorts a wide image by compresing space horizontically to fit it on non-wide size film strips. When the non-wide film strip is projected in a theater, a similar lens is used to uncompress the image on the screen.
All of this is done digitally with DVD mastering of the image.
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On the rare occasions when this topic comes up, I just say the process makes DVDs look better on WS TV’s and leave it at that. If they want to know more then I explain it in detail—but the simple answer seems to satisfy most of the people I’ve encountered.
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Just want everyone to know that I have a 27 inch Sony Vega and I do the anamorphic squeeze and the difference is VERY noticeable. Much more detailed picture! Very nice!
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We've got a 32" and a 36" Sony WEGA with 16x9 Enhanced Mode and I always use that mode. There's just a huge difference in the resolution between the matted versions and the anamorphic versions.
#25
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Originally posted by Rypro PG-13
If I got a 4x3 hdtv, would I get the black bars on the top and bottom for shows in hdtv widescreen?
If I got a 4x3 hdtv, would I get the black bars on the top and bottom for shows in hdtv widescreen?
Also can't the grey bars distroy the tv over time.