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There is some controversy surrounding the 16:9 framing on the new Secret World Live DVD. It seems the new release crops previously intact screen information. There have been endless debates around The Internet of late about original framing, but these screen captures (the first from the film portion of the DVD, the second from the making of featurette also included) would seem to settle the argument.

New DVD Framing

Original 4:3 Ratio

Now, as to whether the video was shot with eventual 16:9 projection in mind is another animal. In that event, not much can be said about cropped images if this was the original intent of the filmmakers. In any case, the new framing DOES lend a certain cinematic feel to the material which, composition notwithstanding, I would consider an improvement.

In an extra treat for SWL DVD buyers, Quiet Steam accompanies the tour photo montage.

-Daniel A. Pulliam