[Fwd: 16:9 Aspect Ratio]

[Bill O'Neill]

I am forwarding this to the list since my TV technical knowledge 
rolls-off after the mute button and power switch.

Bill O'Neill

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	16:9 Aspect Ratio
Date: 	Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:42:35 -0500
From: 	thomas heathwood <HeritageRadio@msn.com>
To: 	<billohno@gmail.com>



Hi Bill -
 
As an old radio broadcaster with little information on current day tech. 
advances in TV-casting,  I have a question for you, as someone obviously
well-versed in modern day TV.  Who decided that the world would enjoy 
16:9 aspect ratio and widescreen TV receivers? Was there a vote or did
manufacturers just want something "new" to replace the 4:34 raytio which 
had been more than satisfactory for lo, these many years?
I find when I view certain programs at dealer showrooms on "widescreen" 
sets, there is a distortion of the some pictures, with the vertical
height "shrunk" and in other cases, the horizontal width "exaggerated.
Will the new law going into effect early next year make 16:9 "mandatory" 
as well as the transmission process?
Will older sets with old picture aspect ratios look bizarre? 
Is there any place on the web that one can read in detail (but not 
necessarily technical language) the whys and wherefores of how this all 
came about and if there is any sense protesting widescreen ??
 
Many thanks for any information.  Feel free to share my 
comments/questions with the Boston Interest group.
TOM
Tom Heathwood - HeritageRadio@msn.com 
<mailto:HeritageRadio@msn.com>       Host, Heritage Radio Theatre -   
1/22/08