RTE Goes Widescreen from Sunday

Mossy Monk

they stopped updating that ages ago :mad: it was handy when updated regularly

Telefís

Yes that was handy. It seems Aertel are gradually phasing out what they percieve to be 'niche services'

As for what the transmitter info was, I can't remember - was too mad at the skewed image and safe area transgression :mad:

Digger

Round Cable wrote:

You're 100% correct 14:9 annoys both 4:3 and 16:9 owners, it should be either 4:3 or 16:9, 14:9 is a bad comprimise.

14:9 is the accepted transmission standard on analogue networks throughout Europe. It is an excellent compromise. 4:3 from a 16:9 original just does not work.

JohnC.

Digger wrote:

14:9 is the accepted transmission standard on analogue networks throughout Europe. It is an excellent compromise. 4:3 from a 16:9 original just does not work.

I'd much prefer the black bars of a 16:9 picture on a 4:3 screen than the crap compromise of 14:9. All it does is draw my attention to the fact that it should be 16:9, but isn't.

Digger

Kahless wrote:

I'd much prefer the black bars of a 16:9 picture on a 4:3 screen than the crap compromise of 14:9. All it does is draw my attention to the fact that it should be 16:9, but isn't.

I actually agree with you. I was really talking about the average 4:3 punter out there on analogue. There are lots of them and they must be catered for. In time, I'm sure 14:9 will cease to exist.

JohnC.

Digger wrote:

I actually agree with you. I was really talking about the average 4:3 punter out there on analogue. There are lots of them and they must be catered for. In time, I'm sure 14:9 will cease to exist.

I am a 4:3 punter. But I agree that there are a lot who may complain about 16:9, but that is mainly because they don't understand what the story is.

I know someone who complained about DVDs because "they cut half the picture off." I had to explain that the opposite was the case.

I think people could do with some educating about widescreen Vs P&S/cropping. Then there would probably be even more demand for widescreen service.

Telefís

I personally don't see what all the fuss is about with widescreen - sure it's great as a format for drama and sport, put for the other half of day-to-day television production, particularly studio production I have always found 4:3 far superior.

For composing standard mid-shots, MCUs etc, the proportions of 4:3 are far better.
I hate the attitude - not necessarily here but in general - that all that is 16:9 is good, and all that is 4:3 is the work of the devil.
4:3 is especially attractive when viewed on a flat screen rather than a conventional tube which makes the picture look square.
The lightly rectangular shape is a very attractive format I think.

Feck 'human's natural viewing angle' - 4:3 can be just as good!

is_that_so

I've found this thread interesting but I am somewhat ignorant of the terminology and I am pretty sure that I am missing out on some of the more salient points. Is there a thread or a URL that sums up the usage of various ratios and what they mean?

CrowdedHouse

Can anyone tell me why my picture gets narrower when RTE is in widescreen.

It's a widescreen TV(Panasonic) I normally have aspect set to 16:9,but when RTE transmits in widescreen WIDE in large teltext type letters comes up for a second and then the pic narrows (something like 14:9)