Opera in BD - 1.33 AR

[proufo]

Hello to all.

Was about to order a Magic Flute (the opera) in Blu-ray but noticed the AR is 4:3.

Can a 4:3 recording be HDTV?

Thanks in advance.

[David R. Modny]

Hello to all.

Was about to order a Magic Flute (the opera) in Blu-ray but noticed the AR is 4:3.

Can a 4:3 recording be HDTV?

Thanks in advance.


Yes, it can - assuming that the resolution of the *source* is something that exceeds, or is near to, current high def standards, and also assuming that the source material was given a high resolution transfer. In the case of 35mm film, the vertical resolution *exceeds* that of the current digital HD standard, regardless of its original aspect ratio. Thus, the reason why so many movies from Hollywood's golden age would look great with hi-rez transfers. Simply add pillarboxes for widescreen playback of stuff that was shot in Academy Ratio.

What you would need to know is a) what was the original source of your title (e.g. 35mm film, 16mm film, hi-rez video, standard-rez video, etc.)? and b) was it a true high-def transfer vs. something that was just, perhaps, upscaled (though that can look pretty good too)? Then, no reason why it couldn't be pillarboxed on the sides. That is, while the digital video HD *standard* is 16:9, there's no law that any given source aspect ratio had to *originally* be that. It's the original source's *resolution* that really matters. A little investigation of the opera title's source would probably be a pretty good start. :)

[proufo]

What you would need to know is a) what was the original source of your title (e.g. 35mm film, 16mm film, hi-rez video, standard-rez video, etc.)? and b) was it a true high-def transfer vs. something that was just, perhaps, upscaled (though that can look pretty good too)? Then, no reason why it couldn't be pillarboxed on the sides. That is, while the digital video HD *standard* is 16:9, there's no law that any given source aspect ratio had to *originally* be that. It's the original source's *resolution* that really matters. A little investigation of the opera title's source would probably be a pretty good start. :)Thanks, David.

I'm pretty sure all opera recordings made in theaters are video, not film. And I'm also pretty sure all pro HDTV cameras are 16:9.

So I guess it is an upscale and it would be cheaper to get the DVD and upscale it in the player.

[David R. Modny]

Pablo,

I'm not particularly well-versed in opera or Mozart, but is this the Blu-Ray you were talking about (about 1/4 down the page)? If so, it says it's 16:9. Another review also mentioned it was indeed shot in HD digital vid.

So, could yours have been a mis-print? Or, is this something else?

Die Zauberflote (i.e. The Magic Flute)

http://www.crotchet.co.uk/dvdvideoblu.html

[proufo]

Pablo,

I'm not particularly well-versed in opera or Mozart, but is this the Blu-Ray you were talking about (about 1/4 down the page)? If so, it says it's 16:9. Another review also mentioned it was indeed shot in HD digital vid.

So, could yours have been a mis-print? Or, is this something else?

Die Zauberflote (i.e. The Magic Flute)

http://www.crotchet.co.uk/dvdvideoblu.htmlYes, that's the one. Amazon indicates it is 4:3.

Many, many thanks!!

The bravura aria by Damrau in this one is suppossed to be the finest ever.

[PhantomStranger]

Amazon technical listings are often wrong.