Tillie Doyle
Pan and scan is a technique used to modify a widescreen movie to fit the older TV aspect ratio of 4:3. This technique involves selecting the parts of the original filmed composition that appear to be the focus of the shot and copying or scanning them. During the process, the operator may need to change the timing of appearances for the audience or cut out parts of the image to fit widescreen. This can result in losing important parts of the picture or changing the way movement is transmitted. People with poor eyesight or smaller 4:3 televisions might prefer a pan-and-scan version to avoid having the picture squished into an even smaller size. To change the pan and scan setting on your TV, you can access the picture settings using buttons on the TV or its remote. Look for settings such as aspect ratio, zoom, or screen fit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, 21:9 |
| Resolution | 720x480 |
| Frame rate | 24fps |
| Display settings | Zoom, aspect ratio, presentation mode, computer mode, screen fit, screen fill, format, underscan, overscan |
| Alternatives | Letterboxing, reframing, open matte |
| Examples | Star Wars, Harry Potter, Ghostbusters, The World at War, Thunderbirds, Dragon's Lair, The Lego Movie |
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What You'll Learn
The pros and cons of pan and scan
The pan and scan technique emerged as a solution to the mismatch between widescreen film formats and standard television aspect ratios. It allowed classic films to be broadcast on television without the black bars that indicate letterboxing.
Pros of Pan and Scan
- It preserves the maximum resolution of the image since it uses all the available vertical video scan lines.
- It gives a full-screen image on a traditional television set.
- It enhances focus on the main action or subjects.
- It delivers a modified but still engaging narrative.
- It accommodates the aspect ratio of older televisions.
- It is a convenient measure to bridge the gap between cinematic and home viewing during the pre-digital era.
Cons of Pan and Scan
- Some visual information is unavoidably cropped out.
- It can change a shot in which the camera was originally stationary to one in which it is frequently panning.
- It can change a single continuous shot into one with frequent cuts.
- It can change the timing of appearances for the audience.
- It can make the film seem like it was shot with a frequently panning camera, even if it was not.
- It compromises the director's vision.
- It can make it seem like a character is speaking off-screen, even if they were not.
- It has become less important with the advent of DVDs and their use of anamorphic presentation, coupled with the increasing popularity of widescreen televisions and computer monitors.
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How to change your TV's aspect ratio
The aspect ratio of a TV screen is the ratio of its width to its height. The most common aspect ratios are 4:3 (the older standard) and 16:9 (the current norm). Some newer TVs have aspect ratios of 21:9.
When the aspect ratio of a TV does not match that of the media being played, the picture may appear stretched or squished, or there may be black bars at the top and bottom (letterboxing) or the sides (pillarboxing) of the image.
To change your TV's aspect ratio, you can usually access the picture settings using buttons on the TV or its remote control. The setting may be called "aspect ratio", "zoom", "screen fit", "screen fill", or "format". Refer to your TV's manual for help.
If you cannot find the aspect ratio setting, you may be able to change it by selecting a different "picture mode" or "display mode". For example, a "16:9 widescreen" mode will display images in a 16:9 aspect ratio, while a "4:3 pan and scan" mode will display images in a 4:3 ratio, cutting off parts of the image to fill the screen.
If you are using a DVD player, you may also be able to change the aspect ratio using the player's settings. For example, setting the player to 16:9 will fill the screen, but may stretch the image out of proportion. Conversely, a "4:3 letterbox" setting will display images in a 4:3 ratio with black bars at the sides.
Some TVs and DVD players may have other aspect ratio options, such as 1.85:1 or 2.35:1, which are better suited for certain films.
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How to adjust your DVD player settings
Adjusting your DVD player settings can help improve your viewing experience, especially when dealing with the challenges of pan and scan formats. Here are some tips to adjust your DVD player settings:
- Understand Aspect Ratios: Aspect ratios determine the width and height of the screen image. The most common aspect ratios are 4:3 (standard TV format) and 16:9 (widescreen format). Older DVDs and TV sets tend to use the 4:3 ratio, while newer releases and widescreen TVs use 16:9.
- Choose the Right Display Mode: Your DVD player may offer display modes such as "4:3 letterbox", "4:3 pan and scan", or "16:9 widescreen." If you have a widescreen TV, setting your DVD player to "16:9" will fill the screen. However, this may stretch the image out of proportion for movies with wider aspect ratios.
- Use Letterboxing: Letterboxing adds black bars at the top and bottom of the screen to preserve the original aspect ratio. This prevents the image from being cropped or distorted. If you find the black bars distracting, you can try adjusting your TV settings to make them darker or less noticeable.
- Adjust Zoom and Panning Settings: Some DVD players and TVs offer zoom features that can crop or expand the image. Be cautious when using zoom, as it can distort the image. Panning settings can be adjusted to follow the action in a scene, but excessive panning may result in a loss of smoothness and important visual details.
- Consider Your Viewing Preferences: If you prefer an immersive experience on a large screen, a widescreen format with minimal black bars might be ideal. However, if you prioritize seeing all the details without panning, a standard 4:3 format or letterboxing may be preferable.
- Check for Enhanced DVDs: Some DVDs are enhanced for widescreen TVs and can provide a better viewing experience on larger screens. Look for designations like "anamorphic widescreen" or "16:9 enhanced." These DVDs may offer more flexibility in adjusting the display settings to your preference.
Remember to refer to your DVD player's manual for specific instructions on adjusting settings, as different models may have unique options and methods for customization.
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The impact of pan and scan on cinematography
One of the main impacts of pan and scan on cinematography is the alteration of the director's original vision and intended field of view. The technique often deprives the audience of significant visual information, changes the timing of appearances, and can make some scenes seem out of place. For example, in the film "Oliver!", the audience sees Oliver's reaction during the murder scene in the pan and scan version, but not when the murderer steps back after committing the crime. This changes the narrative flow and the impact the director intended to create.
Another impact of pan and scan is the distortion it can cause to the visual appeal and storytelling of a film. The cropping and panning can draw viewers' attention to specific portions of the scene, altering the way the story is conveyed. This can be detrimental to certain genres of films, such as epic adventure films like "Lawrence of Arabia," where the cinematic scope of desert scenes loses its breathtaking impact when translated into the boxy 4:3 format.
In addition, pan and scan can affect the pacing, atmosphere, and suspense of a film. The creation of new shots or cuts through the editing process can inadvertently change these elements, impacting the overall viewing experience. This was particularly problematic in the 1980s and 1990s when movies were released on VHS and Betamax, and TV screens were smaller. As a result, filmmakers had to take pan and scan into account when framing shots, even in widescreen formats.
With the increased prevalence of widescreen televisions and the advent of high definition, the need for pan and scan has lessened. However, its impact on the legacy of film adaptation is undeniable. Films released during the era of pan and scan may still be viewed and appreciated through this technique, especially on older TV sets. Additionally, some films continue to utilize pan and scan for television broadcasts, although letterboxing is becoming more common.
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Alternatives to pan and scan
One alternative to pan and scan is to adjust the source material directly. This is a rare method, used only in computer-generated features, such as Pixar films, and video games like BioShock. This approach is sometimes called reframing, where some shots are pan and scan, while others are transferred open matte (a full widescreen image extended with added image elements). Another method is to keep the camera angle as tight as a pan shot, but move the location of characters, objects, or the camera itself so that the subjects fit in the frame.
Another alternative is to pillar box the image by adding black bars on either side of the image, which maintains the full picture height. This is particularly relevant for widescreen TVs set to display full images without stretching (the zoom setting) for content with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 or less. In Europe, where the PAL TV format offers more resolution, pan and scan broadcasts and movie DVDs originally shown in widescreen are relatively rare.
A third alternative is to simply sit closer to the screen. This is a solution for those who struggle to see the picture, as it ensures that they can see without the need for pan and scan.
A final alternative is to use widescreen TVs with a 16:9 aspect ratio, which allows films with aspect ratios of 1.66:1 and 1.85:1 to fill most or all of the screen with minimal letterboxing or cropping.
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Frequently asked questions
The steps to change the TV settings to pan and scan vary depending on the make and model of your TV. However, most TVs offer picture settings that can be accessed using buttons on the TV or its remote. Look for setting names like underscan, zoom, aspect ratio, presentation mode, computer mode, screen fit, screen fill, or format.
The "4:3 pan & scan" setting on a DVD player is used to fill the screen of a regular TV, which typically has a 4:3 aspect ratio. This setting crops the sides of the image to fit the TV screen, which can result in important parts of the picture being cut off.
People with poor eyesight or smaller 4:3 televisions might prefer the pan and scan version as it enlarges the image and makes it easier to see. Additionally, some people may not mind the loss of visual information as long as the image fits their screen.
Pan and scan can alter the timing of scenes and change the way movement is portrayed. It can also result in the loss of important visual details, such as a character's reaction or a tap dancer's feet, affecting the director's intended framing and storytelling.
