Is there any way of determining within the program guide whether a particular movie is shown in original aspect ratio? The premium price for HD PPV channels is not worth it if they're stretching the movies.

Is there any way of determining within the program guide whether a particular movie is shown in original aspect ratio? The premium price for HD PPV channels is not worth it if they're stretching the movies.
No, but I believe there's a certain amount you can watch before getting charged. You'd have to ask D* how long that amount is if no one here knows for sure.

Seems like all 2:35 movies on D*TV HD PPV are zoomed. Are they not?

No, but I believe there's a certain amount you can watch before getting charged. You'd have to ask D* how long that amount is if no one here knows for sure.

careful, though. many movies start out OAR then switch to cropped after the credit.

of course if you care about these things, why bother with PPV?

i think you get to watch the first 4.30 minutes for free with out getting the black screen... dont know about HD D*oD tho...

hopefully by then you can determine which ratio the movie is in..

Thanks for the replies, but does anyone know if zooming 2:35 movies is something that DirecTV does routinely with its HD PPV movies? Chances are, if they do it with one or more movies, they do it with all of them, right?

Thanks for the replies, but does anyone know if zooming 2:35 movies is something that DirecTV does routinely with its HD PPV movies? Chances are, if they do it with one or more movies, they do it with all of them, right?

No, I've seen 2.35:1 movies shown at 2.35:1 on HD pay per view.

careful, though. many movies start out OAR then switch to cropped after the credit.
Very true, but I think you get enough time to get past the opening credits - unless you're watching Superman... ;)

of course if you care about these things, why bother with PPV?
Also true...and also applies to most movie channels.

careful, though. many movies start out OAR then switch to cropped after the credit.

of course if you care about these things, why bother with PPV?

why PPV ... not everyone has BLUE RAY's and or HD DVD players.. so .. that leaves HD PPV.

Remember that some 2.35 movies are shot Super 35MM so the mattes are simply opened up for PPV and you are not losing picture info, youre actually getting more top & bottom than you would in the theater.

Remember that some 2.35 movies are shot Super 35MM so the mattes are simply opened up for PPV and you are not losing picture info, youre actually getting more top & bottom than you would in the theater.

So, are you saying that's a good thing?

i think you get to watch the first 4.30 minutes for free with out getting the black screen... dont know about HD D*oD tho...
First five minutes are free on all non-adult PPV movies, HD or SD.