The folks at Blue Donut have a warning for anyone wishing to upgrade to a widescreen TV to watch sports: it’s a ripoff because networks are not taking full advantage of the technology.
Specifically, they are referring to the extra space you gain from the wider perspective. Because TV networks employ “center-cut protection” to ensure that all of the action can be viewed on older TV sets, that extra space is generally filled with a whole lot of nothing—like the crowd, empty field and so on. It’s common sense really, but something that many of us probably don’t think about.
I suppose this could be a turn off to some buyers but I, for one, would prefer to see more of a scene, not less. Besides, isn’t the HD resolution really where it’s at? But let me ask you—do you care what is in (or not in) the extra space afforded by a widescreen TV? [Blue Donut]
StevoTheDevo
January 14, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Applies more to US sports than to ours I think.
Report PermalinkA wider screen for Aussie Rules means you can see what’s happening downfield more, it’s not just about what’s happening centre screen like in Gridiron.
In cricket, you’re seeing more fielders, not quite so important, but it’s still not just the crowd like you would in baseball.
boc
January 14, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I find that watching sports on a standard 4:3 after watching in widescreen makes me feel kind of claustrophobic. Even if it was just showing empty space I think the open-ness of the widescreen image is more pleasing psychologically.
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