(This is an updated version of the previous FAQ. It's in a new topic in order to weed out the now unnecessary/off-topic replies in the old topic)
Q. What's wrong with the widescreen version of BTTF?
A. The BTTF II & III discs (NOT BTTF I) are flawed - they have framing errors. The most obvious example has been this scene:
What you see is the widescreen DVD image superimposed over a laserdisc image of the same shot. This shows how the DVD frame needed to be moved down to show Doc pushing the button on Marty's jacket, and also show the cuffs 'shrinking' (an expensive prop to film for something that gets cut out of the frame!).
Q. What, that's IT!?
A. This is NOT the only example, but this is one of the most blatant.
Most of the *obvious* framing errors are: too much space above the actors' heads; and not being able to see minor visual cues (props, etc).
After seeing the pan & scan version many times, you will notice in the widescreen version various small things that should've been in the frame, yet were excluded due to the bad framing.
Q. Is it really that bad?
A. No. The widescreen version is still very watchable. It's just the odd annoying thing here and there that you know should be in the frame, yet is not.
Q. How much footage of BTTF II and III are affected?
According to a reply by Universal to Mad_Dog1885, there is approximately 2 minutes of misframed footage in BTTF II, and 4 minutes in BTTF III.
Q. Is the "pan & scan" version affected?
A. No. The pan & scan version shows the entire frame (similar to the laserdisc image underneath the DVD image in the above picture), and thus is unaffected by framing.
Q. But shouldn't I be seeing MORE in the widescreen version??
A. Normally, yes. However BTTF was filmed in a soft matte format where the full frame is "matted" (covered, 'black bars' on the top and bottom) to achieve a widescreen ratio. When the film is released on Pan & Scan, the film is unmatted (some films are unmatted for P&S, most aren't
AFAIK). Thus you see more of the picture vertically, but this is usually not the way the director intended. Most of the time the director prefers the widescreen framing of his film.
Q. Is the framing problem being fixed?
A. Apparently so! Universal will exchange BTTF parts II and III (BTTF I is already correct).
Here's a note that Universal sent the owner of HomeTheaterForum.Com:
Universal Address and Fixes BTTF DVD problem
Universal DVD Returns phone number:
(888) 703-0010
Phone number for Universal Canada:
(866) 532-2202
Exchanging parts 2 and 3 for copies with correct framing will take place in late February 2003.
The address to return them to is:
Back to the Future DVD Returns
PO Box 224468
Dallas, Texas 75260
You HAVE to include:
- Name
- Full Mailing Address
- Daytime Phone Number
- Reason for Return
- The 2 discs without the case
Q. When do I send the discs?
A. Apparently you won't get the discs back until late February, so you might as well wait until February before you send the discs.
Q. Can I just take back my discs to the store in March, and exchange them for a fixed set?
A. Theoretically you could. But you'd have to make sure the store had the fixed copies first.
Q. But I don't live in the US. Can I still exchange my Region 2/4/(other) version?
A. No luck as of yet.
Australia - Doesn't know about the problem (until I called them).
Universal Australia: 02-9207-0500
Germany - GrandmasterA called them, they don't know about it.
If you live in Australia (or any other country) PLEASE call them - the more people that call, the more the word will spread, and hopefully Universal will take its international customers more seriously.
Q. How can I contact Universal in my country?
A. 1. Search the web for a DVD site that is based in your country, they may have a distributor's list.
2. Search the web for DVD distributors in your country.
3. Go to a local video store. They will have a distributors list which will have the addresses and phone numbers of the video store's suppliers (Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount, etc).
Ask them for the number.
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Feel free to add any more questions and answers to this thread.
Prizm
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