Fullscreen vs. Widescreen

crystalklear64

crystalklear64

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Was arguing with some friends about this today, I know I'll probably be in the minority here, but which do you prefer, Fullscreen or Widescreen movies?

I'm in the Fullscreen crowd. I personally cannot stand the 2 black bars and while my friends say you're seeing more of the picture, you're seeing it smaller and seems like a waste of TV space to me.

Anyway, whatcha think?
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']I can't understand why anyone except grandmothers would watch a fullscreen movie.[/quote]

Because I want my whole screen to be used. Not half of it, not a third of it, all of it. I paid for the entire screen, I should get an image on the entire screen. Yeah Fullscreen can take out characters, whatever, but it never affects my viewing of it.

It's one of the first things they teach you in photography, to put the main subject in the center. Because peoples eyes go straight to the center. I'm not paying attention to the left or right unless I'm bored.

Bottom line with me. Is there a difference? Yes. Can I tell the difference? No. Not unless you put them side by side. So I'll take the image that fills up my screen thanks very much.
 
[quote name='DJ K8E']It's one of the first things they teach you in photography, to put the main subject in the center. Because peoples eyes go straight to the center. I'm not paying attention to the left or right unless I'm bored. [/QUOTE]

I would hope that they then teach you that other people shouldn't cut up and change your photos in order to make them fit in a different size frame.
 
When I took photography class in high school the teacher told me NOT to put the subject in the center. Rule of thirds I think is what we were supposed to follow.
 
[quote name='DJ K8E']Because I want my whole screen to be used. Not half of it, not a third of it, all of it. I paid for the entire screen, I should get an image on the entire screen. Yeah Fullscreen can take out characters, whatever, but it never affects my viewing of it.

It's one of the first things they teach you in photography, to put the main subject in the center. Because peoples eyes go straight to the center. I'm not paying attention to the left or right unless I'm bored.

Bottom line with me. Is there a difference? Yes. Can I tell the difference? No. Not unless you put them side by side. So I'll take the image that fills up my screen thanks very much.[/QUOTE]

Shouldve bought a wide screen tv then. I know what you are saying about not using the whole screen, but I would rather have the two black bars and the WHOLE image then the whole screen be filled with a third of the original image missing.
 
Note to self: Never have an opinion if it's not the same as everyone elses. Now I know why I just lurk as opposed to actually saying anything in these topics.
 
Widescreen, as the film was intended.

[quote name='stag8603']When I took photography class in high school the teacher told me NOT to put the subject in the center. Rule of thirds I think is what we were supposed to follow.[/QUOTE]

For the most part, I agree with your teacher.

There are exceptions to the "rules", however. (See Stanley Kubrick.)
 
[quote name='DJ K8E']Note to self: Never have an opinion if it's not the same as everyone elses. Now I know why I just lurk as opposed to actually saying anything in these topics.[/QUOTE]

If you are posting on a message board, don't take is personal. You already established that you know the widescreen is 'better' and you don't care. What's the problem if people dissagree?
 
I have a ordinary 25" SDTV and I choose widescreen. I'm one of those people who like the black bars. Why? For the same reason I always use closed-captioning: Sometimes characters say something that you couldn't really pick up or understand, and the captions are usually in the black bars, not obstructing the screen. Like when you play a game with subtitles.
 
[quote name='seanr1221']I'm sorry, it's no contest, widescreen 100% of the way. I can't wait until 4:3 goes the way of the VHS.[/QUOTE]


Well, we really don't want to get rid of 4:3, since that is the original ratio of many many titles. I don't want Widescreen to become the new fullscreen.
 
Fullscreen needs to die. I hated arguing with people who wouldn't believe me you see more with widescreen.

It's gonna suck for those people when TV broadcasts go that way, and I'm going to laugh my ass off.
 
[quote name='starman9000']Well, we really don't want to get rid of 4:3, since that is the original ratio of many many titles. I don't want Widescreen to become the new fullscreen.[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry I should have clarified. All new movies and all new tv's should be widescreen.
 
Why would you buy a fullscreen movie if you have a widescreen TV? That's retarded. If you have a fullscreen TV then fullscreen if you have a widescreen, widescreen.
 
[quote name='GrimNecroWizard']Why would you buy a fullscreen movie if you have a widescreen TV? That's retarded. If you have a fullscreen TV then fullscreen if you have a widescreen, widescreen.[/QUOTE]
Watching fullscreen films because you have a fullscreen television isn't right -- it's entirely up to preference.

Films, shot in widescreen, are intended to be shot in widescreen, in terms of photography, story, etc.

I couldn't imagine watching films like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in fullscreen; an entirely different experience.

I have seen The Good, the Bad and the Ugly presented in fullscreen, on television, actually... definitely nowhere near as powerful, as the intended ratio (the shots) aren't the same.
 
Could we not call it "fullscreen" please? You're not really seeing the "full screen." It's more like, 60-70 percent of the original image or something?


[quote name='DJ K8E']Note to self: Never have an opinion if it's not the same as everyone elses. Now I know why I just lurk as opposed to actually saying anything in these topics.[/quote]
I'm not one to question someone's preference on any subject, but choosing pan and scan over widescreen is like listening to a stereo broadcast and disabling the left (or right) channel. You completely ruin the composition.
 
[quote name='DJ K8E']Because I want my whole screen to be used. Not half of it, not a third of it, all of it. I paid for the entire screen, I should get an image on the entire screen. Yeah Fullscreen can take out characters, whatever, but it never affects my viewing of it.

It's one of the first things they teach you in photography, to put the main subject in the center. Because peoples eyes go straight to the center. I'm not paying attention to the left or right unless I'm bored.

Bottom line with me. Is there a difference? Yes. Can I tell the difference? No. Not unless you put them side by side. So I'll take the image that fills up my screen thanks very much.[/quote]
Many, many years ago I used to dislike widescreen movies because of those black bars as well, so I understand where you are coming from. But then I learned of what all I could have been and was missing, and realized why so many movies looked so crappy in fullscreen. After that it seemed dumb for me not to switch to widescreen. You get used to it really, really fast, and afterwards you can't go back to fullscreen.

Have you never seen a movie where something important happens in the background? I've heard of one movie in particular where because it was shoved into fullscreen, a very important phone call in the background was completely cut out. Because this was cut out, it made the rest of the entire movie extremely hard to understand because it revolved around something that happened in the background.

So, I wouldn't say so quickly that it never affects your viewing, because you have no idea what you're missing.

I guess if you really don't care about the movie, it's not a big deal. Like, if you're watching Deuce Bigalow, I'm sure whatever they cut out wouldn't be detrimental to your viewing experience. But if you are wanting to watch and experience a real movie, widescreen is the only way to go.



Here's an interesting website for everyone about the widescreen. If you look around you'll see some really good examples of things cut from movies, and how much better it looks in it's original aspect ratio. http://www.widescreen.org/widescreen.shtml

It still boggles my mind why they even make DVDs in Fullscreen anymore. DVDs are the next step up in quality from VHS. Why not make it complete by getting rid of fullscreen with it, too? People are paying extra for a better quality product, so why not show them how much better quality widescreen is as well? (Of course you really can't buy VHS anymore, but you all get the point I'm trying to make)
 
[quote name='Allnatural']Could we not call it "fullscreen" please? You're not really seeing the "full screen." It's more like, 60-70 percent of the original image or something?[/QUOTE]
50%, in some instances.

(The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America, Halloween, etc.)
 
I understand that if movies are made a certain way, and that fullscreen cuts that off.

However, I dont watch movies, so my concern is video games, which should be made with the fullscreen format in mind, since the majority of TVs are probably still fullscreen, and there arent exactly theater considerations or something.
 
[quote name='crystalklear64']Was arguing with some friends about this today, I know I'll probably be in the minority here, but which do you prefer, Fullscreen or Widescreen movies?

I'm in the Fullscreen crowd. I personally cannot stand the 2 black bars and while my friends say you're seeing more of the picture, you're seeing it smaller and seems like a waste of TV space to me.

Anyway, whatcha think?[/QUOTE]

I want the original aspect ratio. If something was originally Fullscreen, I'll watch it in that aspect ratio and the same goes for widescreen. Stretching out 4:3 stuff is for losers.
 
[quote name='Chacrana']I want the original aspect ratio. If something was originally Fullscreen, I'll watch it in that aspect ratio and the same goes for widescreen. Stretching out 4:3 stuff is for losers.[/quote]

I was going to say the same thing. OAR is what I prefer.
 
[quote name='lockarm']I have a ordinary 25" SDTV and I choose widescreen. I'm one of those people who like the black bars. Why? For the same reason I always use closed-captioning: Sometimes characters say something that you couldn't really pick up or understand, and the captions are usually in the black bars, not obstructing the screen. Like when you play a game with subtitles.[/QUOTE]

I'm with you on this one. I got a 32' 4:3 screen TV right around the time widescreen TVs were becoming widely released, but were much more expensive. I enjoy having captions on (something which annoys almost everyone I know). They increase my understanding of the subject matter, and I enjoy that they just fall on the empty black space instead of obscuring the movie.
 
I have a widescreen tv, so fullscreen dvds look stretched so widescreen for me. HDTV is widescreen by default and will be that way in the future so no reason not to have one.
 
[quote name='DJ K8E']Because I want my whole screen to be used. Not half of it, not a third of it, all of it. I paid for the entire screen, I should get an image on the entire screen. Yeah Fullscreen can take out characters, whatever, but it never affects my viewing of it.

It's one of the first things they teach you in photography, to put the main subject in the center. Because peoples eyes go straight to the center. I'm not paying attention to the left or right unless I'm bored.

Bottom line with me. Is there a difference? Yes. Can I tell the difference? No. Not unless you put them side by side. So I'll take the image that fills up my screen thanks very much.[/quote]

Photography and cinematography might be similar fields but there are key differences. Direct a play and you'll see the difference. The right side is always the strongest and the left is weaker.

Watch The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in widescreen and then watch the fullscreen version. Either people are blind or too stupid to see the difference. That probably don't have standards either.
 
I really dont give a fuck, honestly. I used to purchase Full Screen DVD's but now after researching this subject more I'll be buying strictly widescreen DVD's now. So widescreen if it's a choice, but I'm not gonna miss a great movie just because it's in full screen.
 
I've always had the opinion of buying Widescreen for future-proofing my TV purchase. I'll be damned if I upgrade my existing collection to HD, so you can be damn sure I wasn't going to do it for fullscreen movies.
 
Widescreen is the way to go for movies. Some people have brought up The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly as a great example. The other example is Lawrence of Arabia. That movie is meant to make the desert look empty and foreboding. In fullscreen, the characters take up so much space that the desert loses it's impact. You could say that the desert itself is a character in the movie and I don't like watching movies with character's sides chopped off.
 
Widescreen.

However to all of the people saying Fullscreen. I bet you still have a standard def tv. Once you get a widescreen tv your opinion will change.
 
WHY do people seem to think the black bars will ALWAYS BE THERE? If you have a wide TV or moniter..........no bars! I hate fullscreen stuff now because I get bars on the sides! so I guess now the roles are reversed. I can see why people don't like bars on 4:3 tvs though, but seriously I never used to notice them too much.
 
I don't care if it's Widescreen or Fullscreen, I just want my movies in all their unadultered OAR as intended by the creator.

Widescreen TVs, 16:9 aspect ratio, does not mean NO black bars. From what I understand it was just an industry average/agreement. Movies that are greater then 16:9 such as 2.35:1, will still have black bars.
 
Foolscreen really only became prominent shortly after DVD went mainstream (when Joe Wal-Mart bought his first player). I don't mean this as an insult but when all of these new DVD adopters got their players they were (and, for the most part, still remain) ignorant of the disadvantages of FS. Once you've been educated on what you're missing, though, only a fool would continue to have a preference for FS. The movie has been edited to fill your screen for a FS DVD and, in some cases, is practically unrecognizable from the original film. Like someone else said, once you realize what you've been missing the bars will become a non-issue very quickly. To anyone who still prefers FS, do yourself a favor and seek out the differences between WS and FS. Once you've seen the light you can thank us later.

[quote name='b3b0p']Widescreen TVs, 16:9 aspect ratio, does not mean NO black bars. From what I understand it was just an industry average/agreement. Movies that are greater then 16:9 such as 2.35:1, will still have black bars.[/quote]
Very true. There are multiple ratios that films are shot in. 1:66, 1:78, 1:85, 2:35, 2:40 and several others. Even with a WS TV you may still get occasional bars but they will be much less noticeable.
 
I was at a walmart (not by choice) with my sister, and we walked past one of those floorstands with the new release dvds in it. Almost all of the full screen were gone, and the widescreen was about 3/4 full.
 
[quote name='CitizenB']I was at a walmart (not by choice) with my sister, and we walked past one of those floorstands with the new release dvds in it. Almost all of the full screen were gone, and the widescreen was about 3/4 full.[/QUOTE]

Let me bet... they had the Widescreen version stacked at the BOTTOM of the display too right? All the Wallyworlds around here do that - put the pan and scan edition on TOP where its most noticeable and easy to grab. Yet place the proper Widescreen at the bottom.

I know its not THAT hard to lean down and grab one but its all about the psychology. To some people they'll just grab the one on top and continue shopping without giving a thought about what screen format the disc they just grabbed is in. Just as long as they see The Rock's mug and the name "Gridiron Gang" on the cover they are "good to go" as they would say.
 
[quote name='CitizenB']However to all of the people saying Fullscreen. I bet you still have a standard def tv. Once you get a widescreen tv your opinion will change.[/quote]

That's probably what will happen for me. Except then, anything shot in 4:3 (TV shows and such), are going to have bars on the sides of them. So... bars if I do, bars if I don't. :cry: Je déteste la vie.
 
It's better when you don't see the nothingness around the framed shot as "bars".
 
OAR is definitely the right answer for past works. For new works I prefer widescreen for both TV, movies, and games.

Even when I had a standard TV I would have rather paid $15 for a new widescreen DVD than 50 cents for the full screen version. I might watch a butchered version of a movie on TV for free but i would never pay for it.
 
[quote name='Pookymeister']I have a widescreen tv, so fullscreen dvds look stretched so widescreen for me. HDTV is widescreen by default and will be that way in the future so no reason not to have one.[/QUOTE]

The broadcast ratio is different from the movie ratios, so with a widescreen you will still have bars on the more cinematic films. Or you could zoom in and cut off part of it.
 
I'm an OAR person and laugh at people like K8E who prefer garbage like FS.

Another example of a film that's definitely better seen in it's OAR is "Bridge Over the River Kwai" which was shot in 70 mm. along with a few other films. Unfortunately no one ever shoots in it anymore.
 
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