I tried a search on this subject without luck. Maybe I'm not using the correct terminology. Sorry if this is well-trod territory but there are a few questions I feel I must lay to rest so I can start visualizing a suitable solution.
Although 1.78:1 will undoubtedly dominate as HDTV availability expands, screen shots and set-up pics on this great site have convinced me that there's just something extra movie-magical about a room with the widest commonly used aspect ratio (2.35:1) fixed screen in it (even when it's waiting there blank with the projector turned off. LOL!).
I know that projecting 2.35:1 source material on it is ideal but my questions concern any unforseen problems that may arise when I project material of other aspect ratios on such a screen. And I'd want the black bars, top, bottom or sides, when applicable, to disappear into masking material as much as possible.
So I guess I ought to start planning the logistics required to best use a fixed 2.35:1 screen or painted wall and then plan ways to mask it in from the sides for narrower material, 1.85, 1.78 and 1.33. Or am I missing something critical here?
- Would a projector (to be determined) with a fixed height be the ticket for such a set-up?
- Do projectors with a fixed height also mean they have a fixed 'bottom edge' when you switch from 2.35:1 to, say, 1.33.1 and, therefore, top and bottom masking would never or rarely be required?
- Are there certain PJ's that adapt to this idea better than others? If so, which ones?
- Am I making a classic newbie mistake in thinking that starting out with the widest screen will ONLY require me to mask in from the sides and escape the clumsiness of those more difficult top and bottom masking solutions?
- Am I way off to consider this and only setting myself up for an endless series of zooms and tweaks every time the aspect ratio of my source material changes and all the attendant resolution issues?
- When an HDTV channel (HBOHD) broadcasts a 2.35:1 movie within it's 1.78:1 frame (with black bars on the top and bottom?), will that be the time when the chickens really come home to roost on this idea of mine and Ill wish I hadn't even heard of my 2.35:1 screen? LOL!
- Any other 'gotcha's' out there that I should consider before I go any further with this plan?
I appreciate any input you folks can provide. Even a short and sweet 'you dummy' type response is welcome if it answers my quesitons correctly. I may be a newbie, but my skin is thick enough to handle the truth! LOL!
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"You shoudn't have been...you shouldn't have been that sentimental." - 1958
"I know, but I'm sentimental." - 1959
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Although 1.78:1 will undoubtedly dominate as HDTV availability expands, screen shots and set-up pics on this great site have convinced me that there's just something extra movie-magical about a room with the widest commonly used aspect ratio (2.35:1) fixed screen in it (even when it's waiting there blank with the projector turned off. LOL!).
I know that projecting 2.35:1 source material on it is ideal but my questions concern any unforseen problems that may arise when I project material of other aspect ratios on such a screen. And I'd want the black bars, top, bottom or sides, when applicable, to disappear into masking material as much as possible.
So I guess I ought to start planning the logistics required to best use a fixed 2.35:1 screen or painted wall and then plan ways to mask it in from the sides for narrower material, 1.85, 1.78 and 1.33. Or am I missing something critical here?
- Would a projector (to be determined) with a fixed height be the ticket for such a set-up?
- Do projectors with a fixed height also mean they have a fixed 'bottom edge' when you switch from 2.35:1 to, say, 1.33.1 and, therefore, top and bottom masking would never or rarely be required?
- Are there certain PJ's that adapt to this idea better than others? If so, which ones?
- Am I making a classic newbie mistake in thinking that starting out with the widest screen will ONLY require me to mask in from the sides and escape the clumsiness of those more difficult top and bottom masking solutions?
- Am I way off to consider this and only setting myself up for an endless series of zooms and tweaks every time the aspect ratio of my source material changes and all the attendant resolution issues?
- When an HDTV channel (HBOHD) broadcasts a 2.35:1 movie within it's 1.78:1 frame (with black bars on the top and bottom?), will that be the time when the chickens really come home to roost on this idea of mine and Ill wish I hadn't even heard of my 2.35:1 screen? LOL!
- Any other 'gotcha's' out there that I should consider before I go any further with this plan?
I appreciate any input you folks can provide. Even a short and sweet 'you dummy' type response is welcome if it answers my quesitons correctly. I may be a newbie, but my skin is thick enough to handle the truth! LOL!
________________________________________
"You shoudn't have been...you shouldn't have been that sentimental." - 1958
"I know, but I'm sentimental." - 1959
________________________________________