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iTunes HD movie aspect ratio labeled "fullscreen"

Ted13

Ted13

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 29, 2003
672
354
NYC
I was looking at the iTunes for "Jade" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113451/ a 1:2.35 cinema scope widescreen film and on iTunes its HD download is labeled as "fullscreen". What does that mean? Has the awful Pan & Scan era returned: is it recut to 1.33:1 or 1.77:1? Are there any movies for which aspect ratio is correctly instead of the meaningless "fullscreen" labeled on iTunes? Is my only way of finding out for this film paying $14.99 and buying it hoping for the best?

I am especially concerned about this one, because it's DVD back in the day, *was* in fact a 1:1.33 Pan & Scan which is awful for 2.35 films.

Any advice? Info?
 
The trailer for it makes it look like it's not 2.35 and probably not 1.77. While one can't judge it with certainty based upon a trailer, I'd guess that the actual movie will be the same. You might be able to contact Apple to verify aspect ratio, but if I wanted to buy this movie, I'd probably buy the BD and convert it. You can buy it used on Ebay and probably elsewhere for less than $14.99. Or I see that Amazon sells it's digital version for $9.99.
 
You lost me there :) 1.78:1 would be 16:9 which is "widescreen". 1.33:1 is 4:3 or "fullscreen".

I saw this same issue with a movie I wanted buy buy on iTunes awhile ago. The original film was widescreen but iTunes listed it as fullscreen and evidently it really was because the user reviews were complaining about it. So I ended up getting the DVD from Amazon and ripping it myself. Cost was less than $10.
 
Boyd01 said:
You lost me there :) 1.78:1 would be 16:9 which is "widescreen". 1.33:1 is 4:3 or "fullscreen".

I saw this same issue with a movie I wanted buy buy on iTunes awhile ago. The original film was widescreen but iTunes listed it as fullscreen and evidently it really was because the user reviews were complaining about it. So I ended up getting the DVD from Amazon and ripping it myself. Cost was less than $10.
Click to expand...
Well, I honestly don't want to get into an argument about the definition of "widescreen" versus "fullscreen". The OP's question was about the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 which by most people's definition, including mine, is true "widescreen".
 
Imdb says


Technical Specs
Runtime:
95 min | 107 min (director's cut)
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1See full technical specs »​

Definitely not 'scope. It's standard practice for Academy flat films such as Jade to be framed at 1:77 for hdtv. Not strictly accurate, but the difference is truly marginal.
 
sodapop1 said:
Well, I honestly don't want to get into an argument about the definition of "widescreen" versus "fullscreen". The OP's question was about the aspect ratio of 2.40:1
Click to expand...

Not looking for an argument either. My point was that when iTunes lists a movie as "full screen", it's my experience that it will be 1:33:1 (4:3). And the OP said "its HD download is labeled as 'fullscreen' ". So my guess is that you would get a "pillarboxed" 4:3 HD movie if you purchased it on iTunes.
 
Boyd01 said:
So my guess is that you would get a "pillarboxed" 4:3 HD movie if you purchased it on iTunes.
Click to expand...

Ain't it grand that we can only guess?

By the way, the trailers can sometimes be in a totally different aapact ratio..
 
Boyd01 said:
Only way to be sure is to buy the movie. Sorry…. I'll pass. :D
Click to expand...
Actually, that is incorrect. Putting the fullscreen/widescreen label argument aside, the published aspect ratio of the movie is always correct. For HD movies, you need to refer to the specs for the Blu-ray version of the movie. Similarly, for SD movies, you refer to the specs for the DVD.

I never blindly buy anything without knowing what the aspect ratio is going to be and just because iTunes is lacking in detail doesn't mean that the information is not available.
 
sodapop1 said:
For HD movies, you need to refer to the specs for the Blu-ray version of the movie.
Click to expand...

and as a review of the bluray notes

This is the R-rated version of the film. The unrated director's cut version was released on VHS by Paramount. There are some extended characterization bits which help to flesh things out a little bit more in the director's cut as well as some more graphic footage in the sex scenes. Lionsgate's standard definition DVD was also the R-rated cut, but it really would have been nice to see them step up and gives the film's fan base Friedkin's preferred version of the film.
Click to expand...

The more obscure, the more marginal the film, the less you can rely on inferred technical details.

I mean sure, the Jade SD version could be the (unrated and not R-rated) director's cut, and the Jade HD version could be the (R-rated) theatrical cut, and the itunes description an odd mix of the two, but that's a leap of faith.
 
I was concerned with a recent iTunes HD "Fullscreen" movie i wanted to buy but knew it was filmed widescreen.

The Trailer was Full Screen and from what i heard the latest iTunes sees the trailer and will use that many times as the ratio.

if you have an older iTunes and can check that it would be good to give it a try that way. my movie was, in fact, WIDESCREEN.
 
BJMRamage said:
I was concerned with a recent iTunes HD "Fullscreen" movie i wanted to buy but knew it was filmed widescreen.

The Trailer was Full Screen and from what i heard the latest iTunes sees the trailer and will use that many times as the ratio.

if you have an older iTunes and can check that it would be good to give it a try that way. my movie was, in fact, WIDESCREEN.
Click to expand...
So the way iTunes actually works in terms of their theatrical aspect ratio is they don't actually have a choice in the matter (unless they know for a fact that a version of the title is downright incorrect) and are dependent on the owner of the film in supplying as close to an original as possible which according to IMDB is Paramount. FYI, IMDB does not indicate this film being shot in a 2.35 aspect ratio but 1.85 so it would have very minor letter boxing on a 16x9 screen. The HD derived masters used for Blu-ray authoring are also used for digital distribution as well the majority of the time to all the varying streaming platforms. The trailer, as an FYI, is not necessarily a true test of what theatrical aspect ratio version is being submitted.
 
jerwin said:
Imdb says


Technical Specs
Runtime:
95 min | 107 min (director's cut)
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1See full technical specs »​

Definitely not 'scope. It's standard practice for Academy flat films such as Jade to be framed at 1:77 for hdtv. Not strictly accurate, but the difference is truly marginal.
Click to expand...
My bad: no idea why I was convinced it was 'scope - 2.35 -- by all accounts 1.85 is correct.
 
Ive noticed that itunes have updated a stack of films from full screen to widescreen. I had been holding back on a stack as i didn't want to take the risk they were full screen.
 
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