Widescreen or Fullscreen - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 02-14-2004, 05:18 PM

I know we've had a thread like this before, but that was a few years ago, and I bet some of you have changed your opinions since then.

When watching a movie at home, which do you prefer? Widescreen or "full-screen"/pan & scan?

My vote, of course, goes to widescreen. I've been in love with widescreen since 1995, when I was taught what it is and that the "black bars" aren't really bars at all, but unused space. Even before the days of DVD, I was one of the few snobby dorks you'd see in the widescreen VHS section of Suncoast.

Even when a film is shot in open matte, I prefer to watch a movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio.

If you still don't fully understand why you might like widescreen better, here's a great demo, provided by widescreen.org.

So which is it, Sitcoms Online members? Widescreen or Fullscreen? And why?

Central Perk · 02-14-2004, 05:26 PM

Defintely Widescreen because you're able to see the movie just the way it looked in the theatres.

Brian · 02-14-2004, 06:47 PM

Widescreen. Years ago I would have said fullscreen but that was because I was used to watching stuff on TV.

AKA · 02-14-2004, 08:07 PM

Here is an example of the dangers of full screen open matte.

Mijada · 02-14-2004, 08:08 PM

I like widescreen better too.

Skywalker · 02-15-2004, 12:11 AM

It depends on the ratio of the movie. A movie such as 2001 needs to be seen in widescreen. A film such as As Good as It Gets doesn't suffer that much in full screen.

dlemond · 02-15-2004, 12:26 AM

All movies should be viewed in their original theatrical aspect.

Granted that stinkers and some comedies don't suffer that much, but you need the whole view to be fully aware of the film's intention.

Even if that intention is not so important or relative.

vashti1999 · 02-15-2004, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian
Widescreen. Years ago I would have said fullscreen but that was because I was used to watching stuff on TV.

Same here. In the past I never gave it much thought, but the more I've read on the subject, I realize wide is the way to go. I have alot of movie dvds and when there's a choice between wide and full, I'll buy wide...and keep dreaming of the day I'll eventually get a widescreen tv.

dandelion wine · 02-15-2004, 01:08 AM

I much prefer widescreen.

SBTB Geek · 02-15-2004, 01:56 AM

Widescreen without a doubt.

Janice · 02-15-2004, 02:32 AM

Fullscreen. I've tried widescreen, but I simply can't take it. We have a big screen tv. I forget, but I think it's 60 inches or something, so those black areas above and below are too obvious.

I tried the demo, thanks for that AKA....but my husband won't go for it either. I know I'm missing parts of the movie, but I can't take a foot of those black bars.

If they could do away with them, I'd go for widescreen in a minute.

Kay Scarpetta · 02-15-2004, 12:37 PM

Widescreen, because I like to see the movie the way it was in theatres, but the black bars still bug the **** out of me everytime I watch one.

TJL · 02-15-2004, 12:42 PM

DVD's should come with the option to view a film in widescreen or fullscreen.

I got the Indiana Jones DVD collection for Christmas, but it was in fullscreen. I went right out and exchanged it.

As dlemond said, for some films, it doesn't matter if you see it in widescreen. Action films and sci fi epics deserve widescreen.

Mijada · 02-15-2004, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
DVD's should come with the option to view a film in widescreen or fullscreen.

Some of them do. I have a couple DVDs where you can choose either one.

Liza · 02-15-2004, 06:17 PM

Widescreen, although sometimes when the ratio is really big I want to see both versions. It really depends. Sometimes all you're getting is extra background with fewer closeups... but ultimately I do want to see the widescreen versions. Anyways, I'm such an old film buff that most of my favorite movies came out before the widescreen format anyways

View Poll Results: The question of the ages: widescreen or fullscreen?
Widescreen	22	66.67%
Fullscreen	11	33.33%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll

02-14-2004, 05:18 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Widescreen or Fullscreen I know we've had a thread like this before, but that was a few years ago, and I bet some of you have changed your opinions since then. When watching a movie at home, which do you prefer? Widescreen or "full-screen"/pan & scan? My vote, of course, goes to widescreen. I've been in love with widescreen since 1995, when I was taught what it is and that the "black bars" aren't really bars at all, but unused space. Even before the days of DVD, I was one of the few snobby dorks you'd see in the widescreen VHS section of Suncoast. Even when a film is shot in open matte, I prefer to watch a movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio. If you still don't fully understand why you might like widescreen better, here's a great demo, provided by widescreen.org. So which is it, Sitcoms Online members? Widescreen or Fullscreen? And why?

02-15-2004, 12:37 PM	#12
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	Widescreen, because I like to see the movie the way it was in theatres, but the black bars still bug the **** out of me everytime I watch one.
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02-15-2004, 12:42 PM	#13
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	DVD's should come with the option to view a film in widescreen or fullscreen. I got the Indiana Jones DVD collection for Christmas, but it was in fullscreen. I went right out and exchanged it. As dlemond said, for some films, it doesn't matter if you see it in widescreen. Action films and sci fi epics deserve widescreen.
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02-14-2004, 05:26 PM	#2
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Defintely Widescreen because you're able to see the movie just the way it looked in the theatres.

02-14-2004, 06:47 PM	#3
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Widescreen. Years ago I would have said fullscreen but that was because I was used to watching stuff on TV.

02-14-2004, 08:07 PM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Here is an example of the dangers of full screen open matte.

02-14-2004, 08:08 PM	#5
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	I like widescreen better too.

02-15-2004, 12:11 AM	#6
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	It depends on the ratio of the movie. A movie such as 2001 needs to be seen in widescreen. A film such as As Good as It Gets doesn't suffer that much in full screen.

02-15-2004, 12:26 AM	#7
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	All movies should be viewed in their original theatrical aspect. Granted that stinkers and some comedies don't suffer that much, but you need the whole view to be fully aware of the film's intention. Even if that intention is not so important or relative.

02-15-2004, 01:08 AM	#9
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	I much prefer widescreen.

02-15-2004, 01:56 AM	#10
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Widescreen without a doubt.

02-15-2004, 02:32 AM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Fullscreen. I've tried widescreen, but I simply can't take it. We have a big screen tv. I forget, but I think it's 60 inches or something, so those black areas above and below are too obvious. I tried the demo, thanks for that AKA....but my husband won't go for it either. I know I'm missing parts of the movie, but I can't take a foot of those black bars. If they could do away with them, I'd go for widescreen in a minute.

02-15-2004, 06:17 PM	#15
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	Widescreen, although sometimes when the ratio is really big I want to see both versions. It really depends. Sometimes all you're getting is extra background with fewer closeups... but ultimately I do want to see the widescreen versions. Anyways, I'm such an old film buff that most of my favorite movies came out before the widescreen format anyways