Local stations letterboxing on SD cable feeds

[nomadcowatbk]

KOUM letterboxes local and syndicated programs, NBC shows (other than SNL) are in full 4:3

 

[Mario500]

Comcast Cablevision of Mobile (Alabama) used to provide a standard-definition feed of programming from WPMI-TV with some programs displayed with bars from top to bottom. "Saturday Night Live", "Late Night", and theatrical movies from NBC were usually displayed with the bars back then. In recent times, the programs have been displayed in the 4:3 aspect ratio for Comcast customers receiving the standard-definition feed.

 

[BRNout]

Doing it in this manner helps the viewer with a 16:9 TV who is getting an SD feed from his cable provider. By using one of the picture formatting options, that 16:9 aspect ratio can be made to fill the whole screen perfectly. So, it looks almost like you've got HD when you don't - and 90+% of viewers wouldn't notice the difference.

Of course we would - but then again, we hang out here....

 

[azumanga]

Some stations are now formatting their graphics to comply with 16:9 screens only, eliminating the "safe area" for 4:3 screens. Asa result, some cable systems now employ "bars", so that no graphics are chopped off, while some still refuse, neglect or forget to provide bars, as given in this example:

http://mibuzzboard.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=34014

 

[arnoldevns]

Becoming more and more common. 4:3 is rapidly becoming the minority.

 

[ajc_trw]

If you don't like letterboxing how about anamorphic? We have that in SoCal for KTTV, KCOP, KOCE & KCET on Verizon FiOS. :-X

 

[JeeperOne]

If you don't like letterboxing how about anamorphic? We have that in SoCal for KTTV, KCOP, KOCE & KCET on Verizon FiOS. :-X

What's that like? Shrink-O-Vision?

Cheers & 73 ;D

 

[ajc_trw]

If you don't like letterboxing how about anamorphic? We have that in SoCal for KTTV, KCOP, KOCE & KCET on Verizon FiOS. :-X

What's that like? Shrink-O-Vision?

Cheers & 73 ;D

I call it Skinnyvision.

 

[JeeperOne]

If you don't like letterboxing how about anamorphic? We have that in SoCal for KTTV, KCOP, KOCE & KCET on Verizon FiOS. :-X

What's that like? Shrink-O-Vision?

Cheers & 73 ;D

I call it Skinnyvision.

Ohh you mean when even morbidly obese people look to be in terrific shape. Yeah that's bad..... :

Cheers & 73 ;D