[opendtv] Re: Definition of Anamorphic

  • From: Mark Schubin <TVMark@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:10:35 -0400

From Merriam-Webster

anamorphic, from the Latin anamorphosis (from ana- up and -morph form or shape): producing, relating to, or marked by intentional distortion (as by unequal magnification along perpendicular axes) of an image

When anamorphic lenses were used to squeeze widescreen images onto narrower film frames, those frames had skinny people (they were ana- -morphed or up shaped).

When 16:9 images were viewed on 4:3 monitors, people also looked overly skinny, thus the term "anamorphic video."  But Dan's point is well taken, and I also had an uneasy feeling as I read Bert's message.  There is nothing intentionally distorted about 16:9 video; it was simply designed to be viewed on 16:9 displays.

BTW, I suspect the correct aspect ratio of "The Wizard of Oz," having been made after the Academy aperture was standardized, is 11:8 rather than 4:3.

TTFN,
Mark


dan.grimes@xxxxxxxx wrote:

"In DTV, you could argue that 1280 X 720 or 1920 X 1080 are 1:1, as you (Donald) say. But in fact, those wide screen formats are called "anamorphic," I'm pretty positive, because they stretch out what was traditionally a 4:3 TV frame into 16:9. They do not achieve 16:9 by cropping a 4:3 frame, rather by stretching it out horizontally." -Bert


I certainly do not have a definition of anamorphic.  Perhaps we can discuss one here.  But I would be opposed to putting the unintentional stretching of media within it.  Anamorphic was (is) a technique to get a wider picture using a slimmer media/raster.  If one shot 4:3 with an anamorphic lens, edited it (in any format) and then delivered it in 4:3 but displayed on a 16:9 screen, resulting in a proper aspect ratio, then I would define it as anamorphic.  In the end, I believe the final display must be fairly accurate to the real world to be considered an anamorphic process.

Dan
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