It's sounds like the simple fact is that the HD release of this is going to be 19X9 even if that wasn't the intended composition of the directors and cinematographers of the episodes simply because it's now the standard TV size. Sucks, but it's the way it's going to go.

They did but I read that it was a zoom and crop job and unconverted. It wasn't true HD.

As far as broadcasting this P&S mess (and yes, that's exactly what it is), I can't say I care too much because it's not like I'm even capable of getting the channel to watch it that way right now.

That said, if the inevitable Blu-ray doesn't at least have the OAR in addition to the 16x9 P&S, I'll pass.

Agreed. I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and pick up the DVD set now in case the 16x9 version is the only one available in the future.

^ Honestly, that wouldn't be a terrible idea. I'm not sure about the US copies, but I know the Canadian edition of the complete DVD set had a few randomly faulty discs. I had to replace disk 3 (I think) of Season 1. Other people had issues with other discs in the set...

So now that it's airing...what do you think? I've got no problem with it...looks pretty great to me. Better than I imagined.

I wanna be a purist and bitch about the OAR, but yeah, it does look good.

I've only seen the first season, which I rewatched yesterday, but I have seasons 2 and 3 on DVD on my to-watch pile. I'm tempted to go with the new HD versions instead, even without the OAR.

Keep in mind Season 1 was shot in 16:9 as it is. The remaining seasons were specifically framed for the 4:3 ratio, so those may look a bit askew.

Been watching, looks excellent so far.

Yeah, gotta echo the comments above. The purist in me wants to bitch but it's fun watching the HD episodes. I guess I'm turning into Joe Sixpack.

It looks amazing!

Just finished season 2 and I'm loving this show! I understand why it's regarded so highly. I thought season 2 started slow, and I didn't like it quite as much as 1, but it really picked up in the back half.

Is there a good place where I can read discussions on an episode by episode basis so that I can avoid spoilers? I'm guessing this site wasn't so meticulous on keeping up with single episode threads as it is now.

first 2 episodes look extremely dark to me.

I'm up to season 4, and there is no way I'm watching The Wire in OAR again. The HD looks great.

My question is WTF was this ever shot in 4:3 format to begin with? Pretty much every other TV series went 16:9 by the late '90s, so what the hell were they thinking?

They started shooting that way, and resisted changing over because they shout it would destroy the aesthetic they'd established.

What's funny is that they wanted to shoot in 16:9 before the show started but HBO wouldn't let them, now they are remastering it for 16:9 and won't include a 4:3 version.

Alan Sepinwall did reviews for The Wire on an episode by episode basis for Season 4 and 5 and then went back and did them for Seasons 1-3 in Newbie and Veteran editions.

Alan Sepinwall's The Wire reviews

Wow, I didn't see your post until now, but thanks! I actually just finished the series last night, and I have to say it's one of my favorite ever. It's one of those shows you just wish would last forever.

I'm going to start reading the reviews to see what little things I might have missed.

After watching the show through a multiple times (I always pick something new up that I didn't notice before) season 2 really stands out in a good way. Originally watching it, it starts out so far away from what we know but it's a damn good season.

I think that's the reason it gets such a bad rap. When I started season 2 I was like "What happened to the show I fell in love with in season 1?" It seemed completely different. By the end, though, I thought it was a great season too.