Page 1 of DVD`s - Dual Screen Versions

I aquired my DVD player in December as a gift and did not realise that nearly all DVD`s are only available in Widescreen. Problem - I only have a Normal screen TV. OK I could buy a widescreen TV but cash flow is tight at the moment. I rented Big Daddy last weekend and found to my delight that on the reverse of the disc was a version suitable for my screen. Are there many discs like this or is this a rarity. Any pointers would be gratefully received.

Gilly

that`s very rare - I`ve only seen a couple of DVDs in the shops with
widescreen on 1 side and 4:3 on the other.

you can still watch a widescreen version on a old style TV - you`ll just end up with annoying black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

some films are on DVD in 4:3 - but not many - the only ones I can think of are `the crow` and `greggory glen gloss` or whatever it`s called!

Not many.

Probably more frequent in the USofA where they have a much higher ratio of (`kin big) 4:3 TVs to Widescreen 16:9 ones.
Example: Deliverance R1 is 4:3 one side; Widescreen on the other...the R2 version is Widescreen only.

Can you play R1 titles and view NTSC on your equipment?

Just to add to the general consensus, the phenomenon of including full-frame transfers is very much region 1 oriented.

The only R2 disc I know of with a 4:3 transfer on the reverse side is South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

Technically the DVD specifications include something where your player can generate a 4:3 image of the widescreen "on-the-fly" but this is very rarely (if ever) used.

Rich

Shawshank Redemption & A Bugs Life also feature this.

I have an old tele and view in letterbox.I am quite happy with that til I have to renew my tele.
Royd

Some even have both widescreen and fullscreen on same side!

I have the same problem. Snatch has a 4:3 version, but you miss an awful lot off the sides. I`d suggest getting used to the black bars (like I have done).

I have a R2 copy of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and South Park: Bigger Longer and Uncut.

These both have the 4:3 oneside and the 1:85 on the other

You could always zoom into the picture. You may lose some picture quality but you should also get rid of the black bars if they annoy you that much.
I have to say, I won`t buy anything now unless it is in widescreen as you can miss out on nearly 50% of the picture. Widescreen all the way baby.