2 Stretch or Not 2 Stretch

[Bschneider]

I was speaking to one of the local station engineers a while ago and one of the topics that we were discussing was how stations broadcast 4:3 material.

So here is a chance to give your opinions regarding this matter.

[Dknow]

I voted to stretch 16:9 but only because I am concerned about image "burn in". If the world was perfect I'd prefer original ratios.

[pilotbob]

I voted to stretch 16:9 but only because I am concerned about image "burn in". If the world was perfect I'd prefer original ratios.

Yet another reason I choose DLP. Of course, I think in 2006 we will see less and less 4:3, even local news and commercials, so it will really become a moot question.

Then again, I don't understand why a provider would steach something when our TV's / STB's are perfectly capable of doing it. I really don't like wide-butt TV.

BOb

[Bschneider]

FYI: I know some TampaHDTV visitors may not think this poll means much hence they haven't voted but it does as a couple of stations are keeping an eye on this poll. So please vote even if you just don't care.

[CANDY76MAN]

Then again, I don't understand why a provider would steach something when our TV's / STB's are perfectly capable of doing it. I really don't like wide-butt TV.

BOb

thats exactly why they shouldn't do any stretching....most tv's that display digital channels have some kind of stretching built in as well as most stb's. Let me make the choice.

[bdraw]

I like it 4x3 because it gives me the choice to stretch if I want to. Although the stations scaling equipment is far superior to anything we might own in the home I would still prefer the choice.

[CableGuy]

I say leave it in 4:3 format til everything is changed over in Feb. 2009. I have found alot of people dont like the way the people and pictures look "short and fat"

[bmw68]

I agree with CableGuy!
bMw

[Max_Gator]

I hate stretched material and watch everything in OAR - one of the reasons I very rarely watch TNT(allegedly)HD.

Also, one of the reasons I chose to not buy plasma.

I would be supremely ticked off if they started stretching 4:3 material.

Can't even imagine them stretching 4:3 sporting events.

I simply would not watch those stations.

[Bschneider]

Not sure if some of you are aware or not, but CBS WTSP 10 has not been stretching 4:3 material anymore.

[Rishathra]

I want my screen full, so if they aren't going to film 16:9, then atleast xmit that way please. I'm new to the OTA scene, but can't the standard ratio HDTVs "crop" the wide format better than the wide ones can stretch?

Like I said, I want my screen full, but I really don't want to sacrifice the quality of the picture that I'm just getting ahold of.

[Floyd]

I'm new to the OTA scene, but can't the standard ratio HDTVs "crop" the wide format better than the wide ones can stretch?

I have a friend with a 4:3 HD tv and he is a sports nut. This is unfortunate for him because he is always complaining that his tv cuts off the top/bottom of the picture which is where they display the game info. I've tried to change format and aspect ratios on both the tv and the dish hd receiver without much luck. I thought he was foolish to get a 4:3 size screen.....but it was on sale....

[Palmateer]

You must have been looking on a "good" day.

The stretching is as bad as ever! (Please see my other thread.)

Not sure if some of you are aware or not, but CBS WTSP 13 has not been stretching 4:3 material anymore.

[Palmateer]

My objection to "Horizonal Stretching" of a 4:3 image to fill a 16:9 screen is that it DOESN'T ALLOW THE VIEWER THE CHOICE.

If you are watching an upconverted 4:3 image on a DT channel, you can use the remote control provided by your cable or satellite service (99.9% of TV remotes also provide this feature) to fill the screen of you wish to fill it, and you can usually select either zoomed or stretched. Those of us who prefer to see images in their correct geometric shapes can still see them this way.

While plasma displays and some old CRTs may be affected by a burning-in problem at the sides that may make zooming by the viewer a necessity, modern LCD displays and DLP projection displays do not have the burning-in problem.

[Bschneider]

You must have been looking on a "good" day.

The stretching is as bad as ever! (Please see my other thread.)

You just contradicted yourself..

WFTS (and WTSP) do not seem to stretch or zoom their images on their DT channels enough to be objectionable. I contacted Jack Winter of WFTS, and he agrees that horizontally stretching the picture to try to fill a 16:9 ratio screen is a practice that should be avoided.

I'll repeat myself. WTSP does not stretch 4:3 material as evident last night during Survivor.

[Floyd]

Ch 13 hasn't bothered me, but ch 8 has their digital hd signal stretched wide, which makes all the honeys look overweight. I don't like that. Once they stretch it out the aspect controls on my equipment can't get it back to normal-looking.
Many doctors offices and even bank lobbys are installing their new flat-screen tv's, and they look horrible with those stretched out pictures.

[Palmateer]

Sorry - I saw you type "13" and I didn't realize it was about WTSP. For me, it's either 10 or 12.

You just contradicted yourself..



I'll repeat myself. WTSP does not stretch 4:3 material as evident last night during Survivor.

[Bschneider]

Your right I did type in 13.. oops.. At least I got the call letters right. :)