Perhaps Fox Home Entertainment will step up and use the completely ignored pan-and-scan on-the-fly feature in the original DVD specs. A series like Wonderfalls is perfect for that type of presentation. Those with 16x9 TV sets or a preference for widescreen presentations can watch the episodes in that fashion while those who prefer to have their 4x3 set filled with image can have their DVD player crop off the sides of the image. The bitrate for the episodes may need to be higher than normal to support both screen ratios, but that should only force the addition of one more disk to the set.

I have seen widescreen versions of the four broadcast episodes and they looked fine to me. No crew and no equipment to be seen on the sides. The composition of the shots didn't look overly spacious either.

Yay!

My depression over having a Tivo with nothing to record gets less every day till December. (Since I seem to be one of the only members of the board not interested in Christian's buttocks) :-)

Those with 16x9 TV sets or a preference for widescreen presentations can watch the episodes in that fashion while those who prefer to have their 4x3 set filled with image can have their DVD player crop off the sides of the image.

My TV has that option (new Sony).

Actually, just gimme DVDs. If the crew members looked inconspicuous, that'd be fine. If they were with the boom mics and looking into camera, then no. How much would that make Tim cringe? But if it was Bryan with a boom (and I have no idea why he would have a boom) looking into camera, oh yeah...

I recall hearing about some hilariously bad (and apparently intentionally so) horror movie in which a fleeing hero or heroine actually used a boom mike protruding into screen from from above to swing across a chasm. That sounds like the sort of thing Tim, Bryan, and Todd could have loads of fun with.

Cranberry, are they listening to DVD extra requests?

I want to see Bryan the fleeing hero, swing across a chasm on a boom mic to Tim (who can be the awaiting heroine of the piece.) And then they can go and have lots of fun with Todd.

Is there a reason Cocktail Bunny and Caged Bird were filmed in widescreen?

If Caged Bird was just cuz that's the finale, but is there any special reason for Cocktail Bunny?

My DVD player can zoom in so that the image is 4x3 (focused on the center), but I'd just watch it in widescreen if they were released that way. The 4x3 framing doesn't occur in the exact center, so zooming in you'd lose some of the intended view. The best thing would be to release the eps how they are meant to be seen, meaning a mix of formats (like Buffy Season 6 [4x3, exc. OMWF in 16x9], or the upcoming Everwood Season 1 [4x3, exc. Pilot and Finale in 16x9]).

Regardless of how it's released, I'm gonna buy it. I just want it to be released the right way (his includes keeping the "Previouslies...").

Also, I downloaded the WS broadcasts of the first four eps - I didn't notice anything wrong with the first two eps (except for unused space), but at one point in "Wound-Up Penguin" and several points in "Pink Flamingos," there were times when the shot didn't cover the entire screen, and there were moving black bars on the sides. Yes, this is just a minor flaw that I didn't even notice at first, but once you see it, it stands out and it's rather annoying. Although maybe they had to do this to get a crew member out of view. Seeing him would be more annoying.

This is kind of a longish rant, but--like I said--I just want the DVD's to be released properly.

but is there any special reason for Cocktail Bunny?

When you see it, you'll understand...but I don't want to spoil it other than to say that I think the noirish aspects of the episode (it's shot in such a gorgeous way) demand widescreen. Crime Dog's John Woo sequence should be widescreen, as well, but I didn't notice if it was.

Or, I could just be full of shit, per usual.

I think the noirish aspects of the episode (it's shot in such a gorgeous way) demand widescreen.

so excited

will watch it tonight

By the way, Allyson, I can see why you'd like to chuck "Safety Canary" over the Falls. I'm more lenient than most people, so I wouldn't go that far, but I see where you're coming from, especially since you love "Lovesick Ass" so much.

I think I'll watch Crime Dog again, tonight. But I have Bubba Ho Tep at home, too. Decisions, decisions.

I think i'm going to watch the better audio Lying Pig tonight. though my shiny, new Roswell dvds may win out.

I think Roswell is another show that shouldn't have been released in widescreen. i don't remember it being aired that way and i've spotted the boom in at least one shot in the two eps i've watched. this coming from someone who's not all that observant when it comes to things like that.