Widescreen TV's and DVD's

It's hard to say. Widescreen TV's at 16:9, which is actually 1.78:1. The 1.8x DVD's actually have small black bars at top and bottom, but they are likely unoticable. The anamorphic DVD's simply have captured the original film's aspect ratio. When using a projection setup, there is no top and bottom of the screen. In a darkened room/theatre, there is no perspective of such.

By the way, when watching DVD's on a widescreen TV, make sure the DVD player knows it is connected to at 16:9 TV, and use the TV's "Full" screen mode, not zoom. If you zoom you will cut off much of the picture. Just deal with the letterbox bars, as those are correct.

I just think that's it's not cool that even though you buy a widescreen TV, you still can't use 100% of the screen.

Also Does anybody know what aspect ratio HDTV broadcasts are, or will they be letterboxed also?

HD is 16:9.

I think your anger is misplaced. Note my comment about projection, above. Many DVD's are made with projection in mind. I wish they were all available in 16:9 also, but it is a huge task to undertake when a movie is shot in 2:35:1, for example, and much is lost in translation.

Note though that even HD signals can sometimes have letterboxed effect. If the broadcaster chooses to show the film, for example, in the original aspect ratio, you will see letterboxed HD, and you will be unable to change the display mode because HD locks your set. It's just the way it is.

Also, when you watch non-HD over digital stations, there will be bars on the sides, and you still can't change the display mode because of the 1080i or 720p signal locking the set.

I can answer just about any HD question as long as it doesn't involve Comcast cable.

Oh, here's a good place for HD info:

http://www.hdtvoice.com

Thanks for the hel cjhsa

You're welcome, I'm assuming you meant "help" .

Maybe not, lol ;-)

I noticed your typo there. I'm not one to correct people, but you forgot an "L"

Sorry CJ. I couldn't resist

I give everyone hell. It's just my nature I guess.

Like I haven't noticed, ha! This is why I love to give some of it back when the opportunity arises :-D

Perhaps. I'd suggest you study up on the benefits of anamorphic Widescreen before discounting it though. (Go here for a primer:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/ )


For most of us the benefits of a higer resolution picture greatly outweighs whether or not the screen is filled 100%.

Thanx Fishin, I always noticed anamorphic were better. on my 4:3 sony tv, I get electronic black bars that are not part of the movie. These helps the TV with better picture quality i've been told. i completely understand now.

PS: cjhsa, i meant to say thanks for the help, not hell.

Ooops, sorry. He's always giving me hell, so I assumed he was spreading it around, heehee :-D