actually IMO OAR is better. If this is the aspect ratio they intended then great. If not then I would rather get the correct aspect ratio which might be 4:3.


OAR is what I want not to just fill my 16:9 HDTV screen. This is no better than altering 16:9 sources to 4:3 to fill those J6P 4:3 screens.

Now I have to decide if I should buy this or not

Okay, so I found a quote from Tim Minear (writer/director/producer guy) on Usenet:
And then there's this Minear quote from this site, from back in June of 2001 (which I believe places it right after season 2):
This makes me think Angel S2 was shot much like Buffy S4+: Officially framed for 4:3, and attempt to protect for the 16:9 frame (though YMMV as to which you think looks better). Not really what I wanted to read--I hope this isn't backlash from Buffy S4. If S5 is widescreen, I'm going to be peeved.

so I guess if you want OAR you need to buy the R3 dvd set

I guess I need to cancel the amazon box set

I am glad I have the choice since I bought my Toshiba 3900.

So why the flip are they releasing it in 16:9 if it was shot for 4:3? Please don't tell me it's because of some misguided backlash from Buffy S4? Or is there any definitive word anywhere that it will be released 16:9?

This whole thing is starting to really annoy.

I have finished production discs. I would be astonished if the set is not 16x9.

It's really strange, because every reference I've seen to its specs, which presumably comes from Fox, say it's full-screen.

Not doubting what you're telling me, but I really wonder what's going on. Have they changed the specs without informing anyone? Have they made some kind of error in sending out preview discs? It would be interesting to get some kind of official word on this.

Why all the hate for the 16:9 format? This is just like 90% of the TV shows that are being released on DVD in WS. They're composed for 4:3 broadcasts, but are protected for 16:9 for current or future HD showings.

Smallville, The Dead Zone, Alias, and CSI(from Season 2 onward) are all shows that are being released on DVD in 16:9, despite being filmed to be broadcast primarily in 4:3. Yet no one's bitching about that. Hell, there are tons of people who still refuse to buy CSI Season 1 because it wasn't offered in WS.

Get Angel Season 2. Watch it. If you still have a problem with the WS aspect ratio at that point, fine. But at least sit through a few episodes before slamming Fox and Mutant Enemy for not releasing it in 4:3. Don't write it off based on a couple of screenshots posted in a forum.

Sorry, Doughboy, but I prefer my DVDs in OAR. To me, watching a show in widescreen whose OAR is 4:3 is as distasteful as watching a pan-and-scan version of a widescreen movie.

And I don't own nor care to own any of those shows you mentioned. I've thought about a couple of them, but having the wrong aspect ratio certainly persuades me to take a pass on them.

I prefer OAR as well. If S2 of Angel was shot in wide then give me wide if it was shot 4:3 then give me 4:3. Hopefully that clarifies things better.

Setting aside Angel and Buffy, the other series mentioned are shot and composed for dual aspect ratios. Alias, CSI, etc. are broadcast concurrently in both 4:3 standard definition and 16:9 HDTV. The production crews actively frame for both formats. Niether can be considered a "wrong aspect ratio".

Dead Like Me, the Showtime series, is broadcast on regular TV in 4:3. However, on HDTV it's 16:9. And it looks sooooo much better in widescreen.

That said, if Angel was composed for both ratios, I'll be okay with the widescreen versions; i.e. both ratios are OAR.

I think the main reason for the 16:9 hate is because Angel was never meant to be seen in widescreen until season 3, now the other shows mentioned Smallville, The Dead Zone, Alias, and CSI were all shot and composed for widescreen but air in full screen for what ever reason.

I'm so friggin confused. Fox.....get it together. NOW!!!!!

I remember when a ton of studios had people that posted on here. Where is a member from Fox when you need to rip somone a new a-hole?


I don't feel like buying from another Region but I guess I may have no choice. I can't believe how hard it is for studio to understand OAR DVDs and provide the public with them.

I just cancelled my Amazon preorder until I find out what is going on. I'm really dying to get my Angel fix since I've never seen anything past the first season. This sucks sooooo bad.

http://www2.foxstore.com/detail.html?item=876

Full Frame

Expected Release Date: September 2, 2003 - pre-order this item now!

List Price: $59.98
Your Price: $47.98
You Save: $12.00

the fox store says full frame.

I hope we find out soon.

Why i this intro so important? I don't remember.

I've posted a full review of the two-disc screener Fox sent at http://dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=7211

Thanks for the review.

I e-mailed thedigitalbits.com last night and ask if they could use their connections to get to the bottom of things. I tknow they are often shakey with their info but I've been reading there since they started and ahve a bit of loyalty. We will see what Bill says.

It is times like this that I hate my hobby.

It contains clips from all of the previous 99 episodes.

Fox itself, at www2.foxstore.com, says Angel Season 2 is full-frame. Everything I've seen on it says it will be full-frame. The only contrary evidence is that apparently a couple of reviewers got review copies that were 16:9. I'm going to assume that my copy that ships from Amazon on street date will be full-frame unless I hear some kind of official statement otherwise.

Why did the reviewers get 16:9 copies? Who knows? Maybe a mistake on the advance pressing?

If the published specs don't change and if Amazon ships me a 16:9 version, I will decide then if it's worth keeping. If not, I will return it to Amazon or Fox with a complaint that the advertised spec was wrong and the delivered product is unacceptable.

Different arms of the same corporate entity. Dunno if you've ever dealt with large corporations before, but it's very common for one hand to have no idea what the other is doing. FoxStore.com could be basing their information on the same incorrect information sent to other retailers.

You're free to make any assumptions you want, and there is the infinitesimal chance that the version that hits store shelves will be different than what Fox sent to me...but I wouldn't bet on it.

Having pressed discs with screened art is, IMO, pretty solid evidence.

I'm sure that if ctyner got a widescreen screener then that is wat will ship. I'm sure Fox's site is outdated and porrly maintained.

I just want to heard from someone invloved with the series as to WHY the DVDs are widescreen.

I don't see why you would think that widescreen screeners were a mistake and we'l see the other version when the title ships. What is the point of an adnvanced review copy if it differs from the final product like that?

Well, that's pretty darn strong evidence, no? Certainly stronger than text on some web sites that may all be spawned from the same outdated information...

Got bored and decided to compare the intros between the first two seasons. The colors are really off from these very quick 'n dirty captures, but...




I seem to remember there being some very mild discussion as to whether or not season one was shot in widescreen, and I guess this answers that...

printing error on the box, which will prob. confuse even more people

that does say "full frame 1:78:1" right?

Funny thing is if you look at the back of the packaging it says Full Screen then 1.78:1 under the box. Whoops!