Hi, I have a still-sealed copy of the Polar Express DVD that will be used as a ‘family’ Christmas gift, to be shown for the first time on Dec 24. I purchased the ‘wide-screen’ version, because it also includes a bonus disk and other goodies that the standard-screen version does not have. The trade-off is that the video area will be smaller, in order for the extra-wide cinema to fit on my standard-width TV screen.
Here’s my question: Should I return my wide-screen DVD and get the standard-screen version, or will the movie still look good in the condensed widescreen format? (Nobody in my family, myself included, has ever seen this movie before.)
Have you ever watched new episodes of the TV show E.R.? How about Conan O’ Brien? These shows are shown in the same format that you DVD will be in. I buy most my movies in the widescreen format and you really do not notice much of a difference. The only problem might be if you have a small TV and bad eyesight.
The widescreen format is not condensed. Wide screen is in a 16:9 format whereas your standard television screen is in the 4:3 (or do you have a 16:9 set?) format. The standard format is actually sized, or “condensed” to fit the 4:3 sets. Wide screen, in my opinion, is the best because you can view the movie as seen in theatres. With the standard format some of the picture is cut out. The only drawback with widescreen is the black bars and smaller picture. Just some food for thought…
I noticed quite a difference when we replaced our old 27" TV with a 32" model in January. The newer TV being bigger of course made the screen wider, and it doesn’t seem to be as objectionable.
i’d stick with the widescreen , it will look better on a larger TV but i figure i’ll buy a widescreen format tv sometime in the future anyway so why not have the dvd’s that will look best on it ?
Out of the entire movie that was one of only two technicle bloopers that could not be allowed for on account that it was a Magic Train. The the locomotive is infact a product of Lima, and uncoupling livers pull up, instead of push down.
The rest of it has to be allowed because it is a magic train. and we all know magic trains can do 200% grades. and grow and append their consists at their leaiser.
All I know is I just bought it last night for my “wife” for Christmas, we havn’'t seen it yet and I’m looking forward to seeing “her” gift Christmas Day.
Widescreen version looked perfectly fine on my standard 21" non-HDTV regular tube not flat screen non cable non dished absolute dinosaur of a color TV…(its 10 years old GASP!)
I suspect that unless your viewing it on a 15" or smaller, then it will be A-OK
PS EVERY DVD I have is Widescreen unless its a very old movie, I can’t imagine watching “Lord of the Rings” or “Lawrence of Arabia” in standard format! Its the only way to go! Enjoy!
Sadly, the folks who buy all the “fullscreen” versions of movies will be crying when they purchase their first wide-screen TV and discover that both ends are chopped off. [:(]
Or worse - they can stretch the image and make everbody look like munchkins.
My nephews will be getting the widescreen version for Christmas - we just took them to see it at the IMAX theater (not a great way to see it, btw, unless you like vertigo) and on the OMSI Holiday Express behind SP4449…
Ken - We just viewed our widescreen version and it is great. The extra features are worth watching, for sure. Can’t add anything more other than to say, keep that version you have! [tup]