ResearchThe Widescreen Television
The widescreen television is not uncommon today, but its addition to the market is relatively new. Many people are beginning to prefer the widescreen instead of the conventional screen for a variety of reasons. For the longest time the televisions that the average person was familiar with had an aspect ratio of 4:3. Television networks learned pretty early on that many viewers liked the screen to be completely filled with images and so they would show pan and scan movies. The problem with pan and scan is that part of the image is actually hidden, so that you are actually losing some of the quality of the film. While the 4:3 aspect ratio was the norm for a long, long time the demand for a widescreen has now made that the norm. While some have embraced the widescreen, it has also seen some resistance from others, as anything new and different would.
In the past several years manufactures have set a new standard, which is the 16:9 aspect ratio for display monitors. These new monitors are technologically advanced and are generally used with digital or high definition receivers because of the superior picture quality. The widescreen televisions are also used with SD, single definition, sources as well, but most people find that if they are going to buy a widescreen television that they should have the best digital signal going to the television to really take advantage of the widescreen display. Because most movies are shot in widescreen many comment that movies simply look better on these televisions than they do on your traditional television, and that is because they are seen in the format in which the director intended for them to be seen.
Creating Momentum
Along with the widescreen television is the invention of the HD DVD and Sony Blu-ray disk players that are going to go on the market by the end of 2006. These players are forecasted to really boost the sales of HD films that are on disk as well as to prompt the purchase of more and more widescreen and HD monitors. There are also HD camcorders and tuners that only add to the appeal of the widescreen television because everything can look good on them, from a pre-recorded television show to your home videos.
The Criticism
When the widescreen was first introduced it was said that it is more pleasing to watch because of the way the human eye works and that the aspect ratio was more inline with the human eye’s workings. Many say that this rationale behind the widescreen is just sales hype as the human eye actually has a field of view closer to the older 4 to 3 aspect ratio. Many also add to this by saying that the retina, which is used for detailed vision, is circular and not rectangular like the widescreen television, meaning that the 4:3 ratio makes more sense if you are going off of what the human eye can take in most pleasurably.
Despite the criticism and the different schools of thought, widescreen televisions have quickly become the norm. Oddly enough, most people don’t buy the screen because someone says that they will enjoy the experience more based on their field of vision, but because they like all of the new technology and digital capabilities of these newer televisions. Most consumers insist that when they need a new TV they might as well purchase the most up to date product that they can so that it isn’t obsolete by the time that they get it home. In a world where electronics are changing from season to season, it simply makes sense to get a television that promises to be more compatible in the long run than something that won’t be compatible for much longer.
For those that simply appreciate a good picture or enjoy watching movies, a widescreen television simply makes the most sense. You’ll find that your viewing experience is far different when you watch programs the way that they were intended to be seen, and that’s a good thing!