If you have bought the DVDs, I am sorry. If you haven't, just don't buy the set. As soon as I found out the aspect ratio was wrong, I sent a message to Universal through their site to get the aspect ratio correct. How hard is it to get that right?
Lady Aleena - Spreading Wold Newton awareness
http://www.xecu.net/fantasy/
I wondered about that. I didn't get to see the series when it originally aired (well, maybe a couple of episodes, but it's been a long time), but when I saw it was Full-Screen, I thought it was unusual. I know that shows were broadcasting in Wide-screen at the time.
Given Universal's Track Record, however, I'm not surprised. They usually go really cheap on DVD production with sloppy pressings, minimal special features and frequent releases of just one season of a TV series and then failing to release the rest. I should know, I'm stuck with just Season One of both "Amazing Stories" and Sci-Fi Channel's "The Invisible Man" with no hope of ever seeing Season 2 for both series.
So, we'll just have to be thankful "Tremors" was even released at all.
Sure, you can write and complain to Universal, but you'll not get anywhere. What's done is done and they're not going to fix it. You can be certain.
I actually worked on this show in the camera department.
The ratio is correct: SciFi wanted us to shoot full frame, NOT 16x9. There was a lot of discussion, and the director producer was begging them to let us shoot that way, but they wouldn't allow it.
Well then why is the show in widescreen at Hulu?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327375/board/thread/218489318
It was filmed & edited in 16:9 then cropped for 4:3....
It was clearly shot in 16:9.
The aspect ratio of the shows on the new dvd set is the same as they were when first broadcast--full frame.
Pop in your DVD in your PC and check out some episodes on Hulu and compare. Looks better in Widescreen.
Plus if it was filmed and edited in Widescreen wouldn't you want to see it how it was suppose to be and not how Sci-Fi butchered it?
Looking at screenshot comparisons, the entire show was obviously framed for 4:3. Nothing outside of the SD-friendly zone is vital, so I'm completely fine with it.
Besides, this show isn't a high enough priority for anybody to get a re-release. We should be happy it got a DVD release at all. Don't boycott hoping for something better. You won't get it with this show.