Is "Anamorphic" the same thing as "Enhanced for Widescreen"?
 

I have a feeling it is, but just want to make sure. Nothing really came up on a search.

Yes. See this article, for example: "If you've looked at the back of a DVD case these days, you've probably seen all the bewildering terminology: 16x9, anamorphic widescreen, enhanced for widescreen TVs… the list goes on and on. They're all referring to the same thing."

DJ

Oh, so 16x9 is the same thing too?

yes.

Why can't there just be one universal term?

At least I know "Letterbox" isn't the same thing.

Yes, but it's not the same thing when referring to films. With films it has to do with the kind of lens being used. Some films shot anamorphically have had non-anamorphic transfers on DVD, and vice versa.

"Letterbox" just means there are black bars as part of the image: it doesn't necessarily mean non-anamorphic. Warner's 2.35:1 titles, which are almost always anamorphic, will say "letterbox" on the case.

Well, not to rain on your paradde, but I just bought a WB title, which is in 2.35:1 and is NOT anamorphic. Which title? Tango & Cash. It's got all the standard WB info at the bottom, ie. Standard and Widescreen, etc, but there's no mention of "Enhanced for Widescreen TVs". And low and behold, it isn't. Couldn't believe it, quite frankly.

Drexl did say "almost always."

No exactly. 16:9 is just an aspect ratio, it doesn't necessarily mean it is enhanced or anamorphic

For those who truly want to become "educated" about anamorphic vs --- whatever --- I suggest you go to the DIGITAL BITS and download the pdf version of "The Ultimate Guide to Anamorphic Widescreen" at this address http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...hic/index.html

It makes good reading and it's fun!

Actually, I believe it means exactly that, since "16:9" or "16 x 9" is the aspect ratio of a widescreen TV, which the DVD that mentions that on the packaging has been enhanced for. I have yet to see a disc that mentions either of those (16:9 or 16 x 9) on the packaging and is not anamorphic.

One of us here before had a sig that pointed to a great site that had animated graphics of what "Anamorphic" means. I've since forgotten who it was or what site.

Too much kryptonite?

HERE is one site that I know of.

Many anime releases say 16:9 on the case but are actually non-anamorphic letterbox 1.78:1.

Actually, all of my discs that say "16:9" but don't have "enhanced for widescreen televisions" are non-anamorphic. We probably have different discs in our collections. ;)

That's just bad advertising then since even though 1.78:1 is a 16x9 aspect ratio, it has not generally been used in that way. Usually films are 1.85:1 unless digital video is used and then it's most often 1.78:1 or 1.33:1. Every time I've seen "16x9" used (and I don't have any anime), it's meant anamorphic video is on the disk.

Warners has also been known to put "Enhanced for widescreen TVs" on the packaging of films that are NOT anamorphic -- i.e. Cabaret & 2010

My thoughts exactly. Rarely do you ever see the aspect ratio mentioned other than 16x9 or 4:3. So I'm with SMB, I think studios use it as a general way to say it is anamorphic. But alas, I don't have any anime either, so it must be the exception to the rule.

I'd be interested to know a few of your titles that say 16:9 but are not anamorphic. Examples?

I just took a few moments to check my collection: 12 Angry Men, Black Hole, Capricorn One, Something Wicked This Way Comes, are just a few that mention the aspect ratio, are widescreen discs, but are not anamorphic. I was surprised to discover just how many of my discs ARE anamorphic. THAT was a pleasant surprise.

Just a note sracer... a bit off-topic, but you may want to look to upgrade your Black Hole and SWTWC DVDs to the new (anamorphic) Disney editions. The picture quality is a noticable improvement, even on conventional TVs.

YES! That's the one! Thanks.

Well I'm a little late in responding, but I think it's be well covered. I know some come to think of 16x9 as meaning anamorphic, but it's really not and can be misleading if you think so (that's why I said not exactly in my first post. It's a sometimes misued term). Now, you are right in that many discs that say 16:9 or 16x9 are anamorphic, but it's not a given.

My copy of 12 Angry Men says "Widescreen 1.66:1 Theatrical release format." It does not say 16:9 as you assert.