OTHER TECH

CinemaScope Repro

Q. I have a large library of DVDs, many of them in the CinemaScope format. I don't like to use the zoom option on my TV because I lose some of the picture. Why don't the makers of DVD players come up with a magical chip that will reproduce a CinemaScope film properly, without black bars above and below? Jose R. Gonzalez JAMAICA, NY

A. Ian G. Masters says: Unless you opt for one of those new fancy front-projection systems that use a secondary lens to match widescreen movies with various aspect ratios to a screen with a self-adjusting mask, you'll have to get used to the bars. There would be no magic involved in creating a video system with any desired aspect ratio, but there's been no standardization in film shapes over the years. We've seen VistaVision, Cinerama, Todd-AO, Panavision, Academy standard, and many more, in addition to CinemaScope (2.35:1), and they're all different, although almost all movies made now are shot at either 2.35:1 or 1.85:1. The choice of a 16:9 (or 1.78:1) ratio for HDTV is a compromise, which means that, except for HD programs created especially for the system, all other formats involve either those annoying black bands or some loss of picture information.

Jacket SmArt

Q. I recently bought a 300-disc CD changer and am looking for an album in which to store the CD inserts that will display the disc title on one side and song listings on the other. I've gone to some local audio/video stores, but they all seem to only carry thick and heavy zippered cases for transporting CDs. Any ideas? P.J. McNaughton BUFFALO, NY

A. Ian G. Masters says: Most useful for this purpose is one of those albums that have transparent sheets, each of which holds four discs. You can store the CD booklets in the pouches, or just the tray cards (you may have to trim them to fit). Check A/V dealers, art and business supply stores, or shop online. If cosmetics aren't critical, you can also just buy the kind of transparent sleeves that can be dropped into any three-ring binder

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