Aspect Ratio on DVD's

Question

I was just wondering, if I go see a movie with the aspect ratio of 2.35 : 1 and it comes out on DVD and I get the wide screen version, is the picture exactly the same as in the theater? Or does it being on DVD cut off a little of the picture?

I was just wondering becuase it looks no different from theater versions, but some people say it cuts a bit off no matter if the DVD is in wide screen.

Does anyone know for sure?

Answer 1

With different aspect ratio, the only thing you will notice is the size of the black bars on top and below the image.  The larger the aspect ratio the smaller the image and the larger the black bars.  This is of course using a wide screen TV.

Have you seen the Criterion version of 'Armageddon" that was processed using the actual aspect ratio and the image is incredibly small, this is so there is nothing cut off on the sides.

The only way your image will have missing image is if you change the picture ratio on the TV itself.  This will cut off a percentage on the sides.  In fact there are special lenses that you can add to a front projector that will eliminate black bars altogether and enlarge the image to fill the screen (even in 2:35  : 1)  and some companies are looking at producing special TV's that benefit from ultra wide screen presentations.

But to answer your question no, there is nothing cut off from the sides.

Answer 2

to view 2.35:1 on a 16:9 screen, you will have to have letterbox version of the dvd you are watching.