Interesting aspect ratio on some scenes on this evening's Cold Case (18/02). Looked like 2.35:1???

Interesting aspect ratio on some scenes on this evening's Cold Case (18/02). Looked like 2.35:1???
Yes, they were signifying the flashbacks.

I thought it was a better method than using black & white or fuzzy pictures to signify the flashbacks.

The 2.35 scenes were even shot with real anamorphic lenses instead of just cropped to 2.35. You can tell in the night scenes because the out-of-focus lights in the background are vertical ovals instead of the round circles you would get with spherical lenses.

Once I read about this unavoidable effect with anamorphic lenses, it bugs me whenever I see a real anamorphic movie, especially in ones that have lots of near to far rack focusing. Everything that was out of focus in the background stretches horizonally as it comes into focus.

... and I could swear I heard a BSG nuance mixed into the music score too ;)

I still think Cold Case is one of the best looking shows on television right now. I personally find the long lenses on CSI: Miami that completely blur the backgrounds on closeups much more noticeable.

awesome. I liked this.

CBS, Keep up the good work.

Title should be edited to 2.35 aspect ratio. Almost no one with a standard HDTV could tell 1.78 from 1.85.

Title should be edited to 2.35 aspect ratio. Almost no one with a standard HDTV could tell 1.78 from 1.85.
Yes, thanks.

The 2.35 scenes were even shot with real anamorphic lenses instead of just cropped to 2.35. You can tell in the night scenes because the out-of-focus lights in the background are vertical ovals instead of the round circles you would get with spherical lenses.

Once I read about this unavoidable effect with anamorphic lenses, it bugs me whenever I see a real anamorphic movie, especially in ones that have lots of near to far rack focusing. Everything that was out of focus in the background stretches horizonally as it comes into focus.

Yep - I find it noticable - though not objectionable.

I thought it was a better method than using black & white or fuzzy pictures to signify the flashbacks.
i.e. Shark, which uses fuzzy, grainy images when showing the crime (always a murder...) taking place. I was showing a friend a recorded episode I had to show him what HD looks like, and he was not impressed.

I think Cold Case has used every technical trick possible to make these flashbacks look different from the rest of the show: B&W, tinted B&W, overexposed, underexposed, zoomed SD video, colorized, etc. I'm expecting them to animate one eventually, or maybe use claymation. :)

I still think Cold Case is one of the best looking shows on television right now. I personally find the long lenses on CSI: Miami that completely blur the backgrounds on closeups much more noticeable.

I totally agree. I was commenting to my wife last night that I think Cold Case does the best job of any show on TV for HD.