Monday Night Football in HDTV

Thanks to Time-Warner, I am now receiving HDTV for the first time.
I've had the set waiting for a signal for two years.

My questions/comments are about Monday Night Football on ABC.

The picture quality was spectacular... great colors, incredibly clear
picture.

However, it appears HDTV viewers are being cheated somewhat. It seems
to me that the game is being shot in 16:9. For non-HDTV users, that
shot is then being cropped to 4:3. I noticed this because there is a
lot of "empty" field being shown behind the running backs, and because
all of the graphics show up in the 4:3 field.

For HDTV users, we're not getting that "wide field" view that I was
expecting. I assumed ABC used an entirely separate camera crew for
the HDTV broadcast. Maybe this is the way it was in years past, and
they've now gone to one crew. I'm sure it saves them money having one
crew, but a some of the reasons for watching football in HDTV are
taken away.

Anyone else agree or have comments?

Thanks in advance.

I'm sure it saves them money having one
crew,

Duhhh....think that might be your answer?! Think they'll change it anytime
soon? Not until about 80% of the audience has 16:9 screens.

I'm sure it saves them money having one
crew,

Duhhh....think that might be your answer?! Think they'll change it anytime
soon? Not until about 80% of the audience has 16:9 screens.