ARe these ONLY for 16x9 TVs?

Or would my Wega with 16x9 mode work? or is it in the resolution?

Not exactly. Aspect ratio and progressive scan are different. There are 4:3 HDTVs that will accept a progressive signal and there are conventional 16:9 TV’s that won't.

All LCD screens are inherently progressive regardless of the aspect ratio. All HDTV's (at least all that I am aware of) will accept a 480p image (progressive) regardless of the aspect ratio of the screen.

Some 4:3 Wega’s support a feature that allows them to display anamorphic DVDs (enhanced for 16:9). If your TV provides this feature you will benefit from higher resolution images on anamorphic DVDs (assuming you select this feature on your TV and have your DVD player set to output a 16:9 image). To benefit from progressive scan you must have 1) a DVD player that supports progressive scan; 2) a TV than can accept a progressive image; 3) your DVD player connected to your TV via component inputs. If your Wega is HDTV capable, it will support a progressive scan image.

If you search here on “anamorphic” and “progressive scan” you will find some threads that explain these concepts. In a nut shell:

Anamorphic DVD’s provide higher resolution images on 16:9 TV’s or 4:3 TV’s that support “anamorphic squeeze” (like many of the Wega’s). This feature does not require a special DVD player; however, you must set your player’s display selection to 16:9 for anamorphic DVD’s and select “squeeze” on your TV.

Progressive Scan refers to how the image is “painted” on your TV. A conventional image is interlaced. Half of the horizontal lines are painted in one pass (the odd lines); in the next pass the alternate lines are painted (even lines). In a progressive image all lines are painted in one pass. Progressive scan provides a sharper, more stable, and film like image. As mentioned above you must have both a progressive scan DVD player and a TV that can accept a progressive scan image.

I was always under the impression that a progressive scan player would NOT work with the VVegas, with the exception of the XBR models. I have the 32FV16, would a pro scan player work then? I am unable to select a "squeeze" mode from the TV's menus, but when I select 16:9 output on my player, the squeeze is auto enabled. Should a pro scan player work then?

The Wegas do not except a progressive signal except for the high end ones which I believe are the XBR models.

All 4x3 HDTV's will be fine with a progressive scan DVD player. If it's not an HDTV then it MUST still have the ability to except a Progressive Scan source.

All current computer monitors are Progressive as well.

[Edited by Frank S on 05-25-01 at 11:17 PM]

Thanks a lot guys. You answered all the questions I had.

About your last comment... does this mean that when I watch DVDs on my monitor I benefit from progressive scan?

Do I need a special DVD software player to benefit from progressive scan? (I highly doubt the DVD-Rom player has something to do since it only sends DATA through a regular IDE cable)

I've had a question too. I have a Toshiba 55H70 55" 4:3 hdtv. and a pioneer DV434 progressive scan.

i hate to admit it, but interlace looks way better than progressive. in progressive mode, stuff looks blurry, especially solid lines and text. is this tv not progressive capable?

The Pioneer 434 is not a TRUE progressive scan DVD player! That is why you don't see an improvement over the interlaced mode. Your HDTV probable has a better line doubler then the one that's built into the DVD player. A true Progressive Scan DVD player will do 3/2 pulldown as well as regular line doubling yet the Pioneer 434 is mearly a DVD player with a not-so-good line doubler built into it!

In short -- yes, always.