http://i.gizmodo.com/5132065/philips...rs-to-the-side

Who was it that kept posting that one of these should be built a few years ago? Well here it is.

So do we need Anamorphic Blu Rays now for this or what?

I don't see how this would help. Some people who are otherwise pro-OAR don't like bars on the sides. If they don't stretch, with this thing they'd get bars on the sides with everything on TV (except for zooming a 2.35:1 movie).

That said, for those who want a constant image height, this would be nice. I presume this is around 2500 pixels wide, so you get the 1920x1080 in the middle, right?

Personally, I still prefer 16x9 because it's a compromise between all three of the common ratios.

Get a projector instead.

Would this really help the people that have issues with black bars? If they can't focus on a movie instead of the black bars I would expect them to be just as distracted by the TV stand, carpet and furniture in the room.

Drexl,
at the risk of offending you if it is your picture, your avatar creeps me the fuck out.

I agree. But like The Cow said - get a projector. If you're going to do this go big!

At this rate might as well just wheel out a different size TV every time you want to watch a TV.

That's Vince Offer, the ShamWow guy. He's a pitch person for various "As seen on TV" products, and yes, he's very creepy.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NJEKqI1e714&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NJEKqI1e714&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Unless this monitor has overscan, all aspect ratios will have some sort of bars of varying size when displayed. 21:9 is 2.33:1. So material in 2.35:1 and 2.40:1 will still have black bars akin to 1.85:1 content presented on a 1.78:1 display.

...which no one notices anyway.

I'm just saying it's rather pointless. It seems like a good idea but, as Drexl of the creepy avatar said, 16:9 is a compromise among all three aspect ratios. And it works rather well.

If you want constant height, a projector with the option of giving you a full wide 2.40:1 image is a better option. That way, if you deal with content like The Dark Knight or the upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Fallen (assuming the latter is transfered in like manner to the former) that feature switching aspect ratios, the adjustment isn't so problematic. Imagine how small The Dark Knight would look if you tried watching it on that screen. With a projector the size problem (although still present) is smaller.

I find it quite noticeable (though never distracting) on my set (a Sharp 52D62U) since I preffer to keep it on its Dot by Dot setting (thus eliminating overscan).

Can you imagine a 4:3 program stretched on this set?

On the other hand, you could almost watch two 4:3 shows side by side if the TV can support it

oh screw off, now you're just being an ass.

Excuse me for hating bars. When I go see a movie, I don't see bars. I should expect no bars at home.

I don't see bars either, I see a movie.

It really is possible to get over seeing the bars, they just become part of the furniture (not being an ass, being serious).

That's because the theaters adjust the size of the screen by moving the covers on the top and bottom of the image, or the curtains on the side. Maybe you can get some mini curtains and mattes for your TV.

Exactly. People act like the theater shows every movie in the same ratio which would mean no black bars. The bars are there, but they get masked with black material.

When I'm at the movie theatre I'll see vertical room on the sides for the trailers sometimes.

In the end, get a projector.

Projector is not for everyone, although I do have one now. Still, I'd seriously consider one these, even at a premium price. I watch a ton of movies, 1-2 a night, many of which are scope. This would work great for me.

I'd have no problem giving the other formats the short end of the ratio stick for a while. It's been the other way for long time.

-comix

Sorry, bro. Had to do it.

And once again, this is going to have problems for Subtitles for 2.35:1 and 2.40:1 movies, just like it does for the projectors.

Now what I would want is a TV that can morph or shapeshift or whatever to the aspect ratio of the show in question, but then again that technology...uh...doesn't exist.

On a side note, I remember at work one day when I was trying to Learn AutoCAD, I started doing making boxes with 1.33:1, 1.78:1, 2.35, 1;85 aspect ratios and then putting each of the other ratios inside them, so I'd have 2.35 in a 4:3, etc just to see what it was like. Wish I saved those images.

Thanks for the douche chills
I like that TV though!

That's unfair. It's not his fault that some people prefer to look at black bars and need their TV to get rid if them so they can watch movies.

I see bars at theaters all the time. They are idiots and often leave the drapes in the wrong position. It's really annoying when they do it the "opposite" way and you get to watch 5' of the movie on the drapes. This is part of why I seldom go, anymore.

When I go the movies, I see the film in its original aspect ratio. I should expect to see the original aspect ratio at home.

I'm with bluetoast. I'll just patiently wait for them to develop the tech to make a set that can be reconfigured into whatever size I want it to be.

Also, I really don't care about black bars. If they bother you that much then get yourself an old CRT for real cheap and start buying fool screen discs. People like that don't deserve a sweetass home theater.