Comments on: David Simon Talks Controversial Widescreen Conversion Of ‘The Wire’ For HD

By: dwr

dwr — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

The wire happened to be made at a time when everyone was anticipating the transition to 1.78 but TV was still 4:3. It was very common to frame for 4:3 but protect for 16:9. This problem was unique to those years at the end of 4:3 and beginning of 16:9.

By: James Langill

James Langill — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

HBO disbonors all of films when the crop films like Gravity whitch wS shot at 2:3% ratil it gets cropped to cit a 16:9 ratio they do it to alot fms whe n they air they are violating the film makers vision when theu do that and it annoys me.

By: sam

sam — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

it\’s like showing widescreen films in 4:3 on old tv\’s back in the day because of the then-dreaded black bars… the argument is still stupid. and i\’ll say this: thank god Criterion (and other companies/labels that are preserving films) isn\’t run by HBO\’s home video division…

anyone think, with a summer release 8 months away, that HBO can backtrack from this decision? the 4:3 series *has* been remastered, right?

By: Charles

Charles — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

Amazon Prime has had the 16×9 version recently. It\’s actually not just a simple crop. They have more image on the sides of the frame. They cut a little off the bottom but they add some to each side. Obviously that means they\’re changing it from the original intended frame, but it\’s not just a hack job. They are going back to the negative and adding something to it.

By: Dan S

Dan S — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

The aspect ratio issue with HD has actually gotten worse with Netflix and cable movie channels eating into the home video market. Studios often provide 16:9 version of their films instead of OAR versions. Films being presented in 2.35:1 in theaters often wind up cropped down to 16:9 for cable and Netflix viewing.

By: James

James — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

This is the future:( They did the same thing with THE WORLD AT WAR documentary series, restoring it at great expense, but releasing only a cropped 16:9 Version. And the PRIME SUSPECT series. There are gonna be a LOT of shows that get butchered for widescreen TVs, this is just the beginning.

By: Glass

Glass — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

This is a tough call. HBO wants to attract a new audience and breathe new life into their "Wire" revenue stream, and that\’s totally acceptable – the show had cancel-worthy ratings and they continued to finance it to the very end. So pushing in on the image and making it fill out 16:9 televisions for the broadcast is understandable in that respect…

On the other hand, there are plenty of shows with loyal fanbases that were released on blu-ray in their original 4:3 ratio, no problem. I\’d like to say the best compromise would be to re-broadcast the series in 16:9, and release the $200 box set (which FANS will buy, not first-time viewers they want to attract) in 4:3, but David Simon\’s blog post reveals that HBO is putting a LOT of work into the 16:9 version, so chances are they will stick with that and be done with it.

It may sound like I\’m comparing two wildly different things, but you don\’t see Warner Bros. cropping Citizen Kane or Casablanca for widescreen televisions. To me, The Wire can be spoken in the same breath as classic films like those.

By: Gulfam

Gulfam — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

Alas, the vast majority of the general public prefer that their screens be \’filled up\’ even resorting to zooming in on the picture with letterboxed movies! It\’s a trend that doesn\’t look likely to change, and whilst the 4:3 aspect ratio affects a large portion of television made before the widescreen days such a debate will continue as it will for letterboxed movies.

By: is Gabe still employed

is Gabe still employed — Mon, 23 May 2016 04:48:53 +0000

Bad decision. Even though Wire has the ability to entice the viewer with its powerful story itself, this seems while like a cash grab attempt. Well put regarding the black Friday type TV owners.