HD, wasn't this supposed to fix the letterbox issue?

I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space is
immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen TVs, many
viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of unused
screen space?

On Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:04:24 -0700, Daniel W. Rouse Jr. wrote:

I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space is
immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen TVs, many
viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of unused
screen space?

Twice you used the number 1.8 as an aspect ration, whereas the actual
value is 1.7777....

I am deeply concerned about your unused digit space.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

"Daniel W. Rouse Jr." wrote:

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space is
immediately noticeable.)

Watch the picture, not the blank spaces.

On 8/15/2012 9:04 PM, Daniel W. Rouse Jr. wrote:
I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually
fits nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the
same time, I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials
have had black bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio.
Specifically, I noticed this was especially true on NBC Sports
Network--nearly every commercial during Olympics coverage had black
bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from noticing the letterboxing on
HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored as in between program
annoyances but the lack of used screen space is immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen TVs,
many viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of
unused screen space?
This may have something to do with the TV I noticed at a Pizza Parlor.
It appears that the screen is extra wide. I mean even wider that HD.
The one I saw always has sports on it, and there are various other
things shown in the extra area on the sides.

Bill

In article ,
OSPAM says...
I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space is
immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen TVs, many
viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of unused
screen space?

I haven't seen any evidence that original new HD programming on any network
I've watched will use any aspect ratio other than 16x9. I wouldn't worry
about it.

A few SD commercials are 4x3 pillarbox, some are 16x9 letterbox inside 4x3
pillarbox. A couple HD commercials, notably IBM, purposely produce
commercials that are a different aspect ratio and are letterbox with blue
bars at the top and bottom. I think they do it because they think it will
get your attention.

I haven't seen NBC Sports Network, but it almost sounds like there was a
problem with their commercials vid format that they originated or the TV
interprets something incorrectly and displays it wrong.

whosbest54
--
The flamewars are over...if you want it.

Unofficial rec.audio.opinion Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rao.htm

Unofficial rec.music.beatles Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rmb.html

In article ,
OSPAM says...
I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space is
immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen TVs, many
viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of unused
screen space?

Just saw NBC Sports at a bar on a HD set in HD. The HD commercials filled
the screen, with the exception of the always present sports ticker at the
bottom. Don't know what caused you to see black bars at the top and bottom.

whosbest54
--
The flamewars are over...if you want it.

Unofficial rec.audio.opinion Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rao.htm

Unofficial rec.music.beatles Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rmb.html

On Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:01:10 -0500, whosbest54 wrote:

Don't know what caused you to see black bars at the top and bottom.

Some commercials are deliberately made with a wider aspect ratio than
16:9 in order to appear "cinematic".

Also note that for a while, Philips (when they were still making TVs for
home use) did sell a model that was 21:9 extra-cinema-wide.

As far as I am aware it was a flop because of its much higher premium
price and that 16:9 material (which it would be used for most of the time)
was pillarboxed.

http://www.pocket-lint.COM/news/35359/philips-3d-219-cinema-television

http://www.televisions.COM/tvs/philips-televisions/philips-lcd-tvs/Philips-Cinema-219---56-PFL-9954-H.php

In article , says...
On Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:01:10 -0500, whosbest54 wrote:

Don't know what caused you to see black bars at the top and bottom.

Some commercials are deliberately made with a wider aspect ratio than
16:9 in order to appear "cinematic".

Yep, I already mention one advertiser that does that in first post to this
thread - IBM.

whosbest54
--
The flamewars are over...if you want it.

Unofficial rec.audio.opinion Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rao.htm

Unofficial rec.music.beatles Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://whosbest54.netau.net/rmb.html

On Wednesday, August 15, 2012 7:04:24 PM UTC-7, Daniel W. Rouse Jr. wrote:
I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space is
immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen TVs, many
viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of unused
screen space?

This chart was done at ADS to show the variety of possibilities. Clients get confused too.

http://www.digitalcinemasociety.org/...atiocharts.pdf

G²

G-squared wrote:
On Wednesday, August 15, 2012 7:04:24 PM UTC-7, Daniel W. Rouse Jr.
wrote:
I'm discussing shows here, not movies. Resolved: 2.35:1 or higher
movies
will have black bars, those movies pre-date HDTVs.

However... here are the 1.8:1 aspect ratio TVs and the program
usually fits
nicely on the widescreen without any letterbox black bars. At the
same time,
I've noticed an annoying trend--several of the commercials have
had black
bars, using a wider than 1.8:1 aspect ratio. Specifically, I
noticed this
was especially true on NBC Sports Network--nearly every commercial
during
Olympics coverage had black bars, letterboxing even on HD. (Aside
from
noticing the letterboxing on HD, these commercials can otherwise
be ignored
as in between program annoyances but the lack of used screen space
is
immediately noticeable.)

I hope the programs are not eventually influenced by the
commercials? I
mean, they letterboxed 4:3 to get viewers to get the widescreen
TVs, many
viewers now have widescreen TVs, so why create another problem of
unused
screen space?

This chart was done at ADS to show the variety of possibilities.
Clients get confused too.

http://www.digitalcinemasociety.org/...atiocharts.pdf

G²

The dreaded black bars are thinner with 2.35 on HDTV than 16x9 are on the
old square tube.

I still have a laserdisc player where many of the titles are letterboxed
because true videophiles (those who have LD players) would rather have OAR
than pan-n-scan. To the rest they got VHS.

Like many I watch the picture, not the spaces above and below.