I got the first five seasons for $20 each so I'm not rebuying them, plus I think 4:3 suits the show. I'll also be disappointed if S6 comes 16x9.

There is only one episode that was legitimately released in 16x9 (and it felt pretty weird), and that was in the 4th or 5th season. Other than that, 16x9 is unacceptable as an only option. Unfortunately, this seems like it might be the case for season 6 (and possibly 7).

I feel this way, as well. Luckily I've seen this season on FX, so at least I was able to watch it once in the proper format. Too bad that my DVD collection of the series is now going to be incomplete, though. :(

[edit] I would recommend contacting SPHE to voice our displeasure over this:
[email protected]

Perhaps someone has or knows where to obtain a more specific address e-mails could be sent to -- someone who might actually read and be able to pass along consumer concerns, as opposed to this e-mail, which will likely result in a generic "thank you for contacting..." response.

Did the OAR change when FX-HD started? All I want is OAR. All my monitors (even the one in the minivan) are 16:9, but that doesn't mean I want matted or stretch-o-vision where it shouldn't be. If the OAR was changed for FX-HD then 16:9 is fine, but if that means it was recorded in HD then give me the Blu-Ray, as well.

Went back to Costco today and they must have restocked since they had all 5 seasons, 16x9, for around $27-$28 a season.

I'd like to see both versions on these sets, to be able to switch between AR's when so desired.

I'll say it again: 16:9 (not "x" or "by") is the new full-screen.

That's an awfully anal-retentive distinction. They all mean the same thing.

full-screen?! No no no no no my friend. It's "fullscreen". Not "-" or FullScreen, but "fullscreen".

Jesus. It wasn't funny when you did it with Blu-ray, and it ain't funny now... just OT. -ohbfrank-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_screen

While we're on the subject of wikipedia articles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm

For further clarification on the matter, please read on.

The validity of my method of writing "fullscreen" was not important. Rather the intended effect of my post was to point out the ridiculousness of arguing the semantics of how to properly write an aspect ratio. By showing a multitude of possible representations of a similar word familiar to home theater aficionados (the aforementioned "fullscreen") this effect was achieved.

Okay, now back to The Shield.

Looks like season 6 is 1.78:1

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Shield-Season-6/9266

Damn. Not good.

Guys, I'm going to get to the bottom of this. When these sets were first announced I asked someone at Sony if it was widescreen and I was told it's the same thing Fox released (which means 1.33:1). Given that information, I had assumed that it was some incorrect information floating around regarding the new specs. Now it appears the person I spoke to didn't work on the title, and made an assumption that the sets were the same. This person had to rush off to a meeting and won't be able to physically check the set for another couple of hours.

If these new sets are 16:9, and not 4:3, I'll contact Shawn Ryan and get a quote from him. He's said all along that the show is supposed to be 4:3, and I had the pleasure of sitting in the editing room with him and watched as they edited the 4:3 footage. 4:3 is the correct aspect ratio, and everything done from shooting to editing is done with that aspect ratio in mind. I have the original DVD sets, and I'll be pissed if season 6 and 7 are released in 16:9.

Gord

The seasons 1-5 DVDs are widescreen. Let the revolt begin.

Gord

Hmm open matte maybe? Or shot wide, and cropped to 1:33?

In television production, typically series are shot on film using a 3-perf process, which has an aspect ratio around 16:9. For 4:3 broadcasts, the center of the frame is extracted and the sides chopped off.

This is different than feature films, which are usually shot using 4-perfs for a ratio of 1.37:1, then matted down to 1.85:1 for theaters (masking off the top and bottom).

Using 3-perfs per frame vs. 4 saves a lot of film stock, and hence money.

Refrain from the explain.
If you are going to shoot for the LCD,
you might as well just spell it out the first time around.

http://www.tvguide.com/images/pgimg/shield49.jpg
What? The 16:9 DVD weren't bootlegs? Oops, sorry about that, kid!

Please let us know Shawn Ryan's opinion on the matter the next time you're in an editing booth with him.

Heh, nice picture.

Aren't the US extras and deleted scenes in 1.78:1?

Some screen shot examples (not perfectly timed ones, but should give the general idea)

The packaging for these newly released sets are exactly the same as the fifth season one...(white cover) - same outer box size and slim cases that hold (2) DVD's.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8351/0330081358ik4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1994/0330081402vs2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>

As far as I can tell, the picture quality seems to be the same (grain and all).

First group of shots are from the Pilot episode in Season 1, the second group is from the first episode in Season 2 (starring the pre-Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell)

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3778/vlcsnap2174ap2.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8214/vlcsnap5014eo5.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8181/vlcsnap2350la9.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2127/vlcsnap5191rj7.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5747/vlcsnap2489jc3.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2108/vlcsnap5330ya0.png"



<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8144/vlcsnap7440wy3.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7240/vlcsnap12541vn4.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9262/vlcsnap8184ep3.png"

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8232/vlcsnap13284fp8.png"

Awesome, thanks for the pics. Im kinda torn though. Some shots look better in wide, others in full. And i'm a sucker for slim sets, since my tv collection is huge.

And having uniform in the boxes, which season 5 has allready thrown off. (also looking at you L&O, Alias, etc :) )

Sorry those suck. Once again big studios mess with success.