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Steven Soderbergh calls out the aspect ratio villains: HBO, AMC - We're talking about you

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 7th 2009 at 8:23PM


You've gritted your teeth every time TNT flips the switch on its dreaded stretch-o-vision, and we've done our part to explain why proper aspect ratios are so important, and yet few have taken heed. Perhaps director Steven Soderbergh can succeed where we have failed, railing against cable channels that, instead of using HDTV to deliver movies the way they were meant to be seen, are often cropping and squeezing to give what they think viewers want instead. The worst network? AMC. Not only is it guilty of pan scanning like HBO, but the advertisements tease the movies in their correct aspect ratio, the cruelest bait and switch of all. Check out the article for a full explanation from behind the lens of why correct treatment of aspect ratios matters, and please, tell a friend to tell a friend.

[Thanks, Chevelleman & Fortified Live for the image]

Curb Your Enthusiasm going HD this season, if you really want to see Larry David in HD

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 26th 2009 at 8:13AM

Larry David mentioned in an Esquire interview that this seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm will be the first in high definition, although he has no idea why anyone would watch that way since "No one wants to see this old man on TV." True or not, you can still check him out on HBO in 1080i, but you can always flip back to SD if you want, we're sure it will still be funny.

[Via TV Scoop]

DirecTV goes live with HD service in Latin America

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2008 at 11:22AM


So, that's what those HBO HD ads down in Latin America were all about, huh? As of this week, DirecTV is now taking orders for HD service in Latin America, and reportedly, those that sign up can receive an HD DVR capable of storing 400 hours of SD or 100 hours of high-def footage. Initially, there will only be four high-definition channels available (HBO HD, Movie City HD, Fox HD and DirecTV HD), but we suppose you've got to start somewhere. Has anyone down that way signed up? How's the image / audio quality?

[Thanks, Eduardo]

Read - DirecTV launching in Latin America
Read - DirecTV's official HD site (Peru)

HBO comedies renewed, still no mention of HD

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 12th 2007 at 9:03PM

HBO HDHBO HD is one of the oldest HD channels; it goes back further than most HD viewers -- including even some of us. But despite getting into the game early, just like CBS they seem to be dragging their feet now. Sure they're going HD with 26 of their channels in the next year or so, but much of their original programming is still in SD. It's mostly comedies that don't get the HD treatment, but also great shows like Inside the NFL. We're sure they have plenty of excuses, but we're not hearing 'em. It doesn't look like it's going to change anytime soon either; Multichannel news is reporting that Real Time with Bill Maher just got renewed and a few HBO comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm are right around the corner, but there isn't a single mention of HD. So come on HBO, it's past time for 24x7 HD, and while you're at it, stop cropping those movies.




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