| Aspect
Ratio Conversion 4:3 This is the normal aspect ratio we are used to watching. The only picture option that fills the screen where the proportions are correct. The original widescreen recording would have been 'panned and scanned' to make it fit the 4:3 picture resulting in considerable loss of picture information at the sides. A lot of BBC programmes are broadcast in this way. 16:9 Letterbox The widescreen picture is recorded with a large black 'bar' at the top and bottom of the screen. The picture does not fill the whole screen but no information is lost and correct proportions are obtained. Recommended for cassette copies. 14:9 This is a halfway house adoptd by some broadcasters. The picture looks similar to 16:9 Letterbox but the black bars are not so wide. A small amount of picture information is lost at the sides. A lot of BBC programmes are broadcast in this way. Recommended for cassette copies. 16:9 Anamorphic This is a widescreen 16:9 recording that has been 'squashed' to fit into a normal 4:3 ratio. The picture fills the whole screen but everything is tall and thin; circles look eliptical and people have long heads. Preserves all picture information that requires 16:9 television or scan converter (ARC) for correct viewing. |
