Mike:

There is no progream that will give the AR. There are tools which you can use to calculate it, BUT be careful and don't stray from industry standards. I say carefulk because the tools are dependent on you, and it doesn't take a big error in pixels to throw your measurement off, especially if you are looking at at 2.35 or 2.40 films, we have been around this horn a few times.

However the anamorphic question is easily dealt with, PowerDVD, DVD Decrypter, DVDShrink and numerous other programs WILL tell you whether a film is in 16X9 or 4X3 format.

Skip

that makes sense about the reprint, but my copy was straight from the video store previously viewed. Would they do something like this for rentals?

It would depend on when the video store got their copy.  If they got a second print, they'd be in the same boat as any other consumer.  Typically the studios aren't manufacturing special rental versions as everything is day and date.

Quoting Mike:

Quote:
does MGM have a replacement program or  contact  info for support?

Yes they do. Go to http://www.foxhome.com/ and click on Contact Us.

Quite frankly, they'll probably tell you that there is nothing wrong with the disk.  It was produced that way on purpose and sold at a bargain rate.  It's unfortunate, but those older flippers really require a little investigation before plunking the money down.  I remember seeing a list of disks that were butchered like this.  Possibly on an old DVDtalk thread.

Most video stores have a guarentee on their previously viewed discs (and if they don't you shouldn't be buying used discs from them) so just bring it back tell them its not working and they'll either exchange it or give you your money back (depending on their exact policy and if they have another copy)

-Agrare

agree the FS version does work fine but no Side B WS

Quoting 8ballMax:

Quote:
If the DVD packaging claims both versions are included then I would return it explaining that you did not receive what you had purchased.

That has worked for me.

I bought a movie called Viscious, which I watched and it was probably the worst film I had ever seen. The back cover had this huge list of special features (commentary, deleted scenes, making of, plus 5-6 more usual suspects) but the only thing on the disc was a trailer. I used this as my reason for returning it since it played fine, and I did get my $ back without any hassle. This was at K-Mart.

I bought Captivity for $3 at Blockbuster a coule weeks ago, then returned it 2 hours later because I remembered there was an unrated version and this was the R cut. I told them that straight out and asked if I could just swap it for another $3 title, and the guy siad "sure". I was shocked that worked, and think it was luck of the store/employee that it did.

Never hurts to ask, and not having WS when listed is a more valid reason than either of my return/exchange stories. Plus CB is a newer disc and probably hasn't been replaced with a single sider yet, so I'd say side b is defective anyway.