letterbox /widescreen

soolin

This is probably a daft question, so apologies.

I'm looking to buy a DVD box set and the description refers to the format as being 'letterbox'. I've not seen that before, is that different to widescreen and if so what should I be looking to buy for my 'normal' ie not widescreen TV?

Thanks

Soo

Joe_Bloggs

Post details of the product. Perhaps forum contributers that have heard of it can enlighten you.
J_B.

alison74

Letterbox format means that on your screen you have a really thin picture with black above and below.

You know how in widescreen you have the black and it doesnt take up the full screen ? Well letterbox is even thinner.

I don't really like widescreen (unless I had a 42" plasma, then maybe) but letterbox is just unwatchable for me. I have one film that format and never again.

Maybe a third of the screen horizontal will be your film and not much more.

soolin

I'm looking at the Babylon 5 series 1 box set on Choices direct and for that series alone it states the format as following:

Babylon 5 - The Complete Series 1 (Letterbox) (Boxset) (DVD) (6 Discs)

None of the other series say letterbox as a format.

Also under technical details is gives the aspect ratio as letterbox whereas all the other box sets give the aspect ratio as 16x9 or widescreen.

Soo

soolin

Alison, thank you for that.

I've only got a standard 28 inch TV so I don't think letterbox is going to be suitable for me. I'm going to have to find another website with series 1 in widescreen (I can't find standard format at all).

Soo

Joe_Bloggs

This could well be a mis-applied term for non 4:3 aspect material. Try and contact the distributer of the DVD or the retailer to discover the facts. Letterbox can include 16:9. Perhaps you should consult those who have viewed the DVD in the Babylon 5 forums.
J_B.