How to Watch Widescreen TV on a Standard 4:3"

Standard-ratio televisions and wide-screen content are compatible.

Standard 4:3 ratio televisions have the ability to display wide-screen content. Although these sets are not optimized for such material, many have special modes designed to maximize the potential of 16:9 wide-screen formats. Most source devices, such as DVD players and satellite decoders, can adjust their output per user setting menus to display whatever format the viewer desires. A few simple button presses on the source and television remotes can enable wide-screen action on a standard television.

Things You'll Need

• Standard-ratio (4:3) television
• TV remote
• Source devices (DVD, etc)
• Source device remotes
• Television and source manuals

Instructions

1. Enter the setup menu on the source devices using the units' remote controls. Consult the devices' manuals for the specific button press sequence. Access the "Picture" or "Screen" settings. Look for and select the "Wide-screen" or "16:9" setting.

2. Access the television's setup menu, using the set's remote and consulting the unit's manual as needed. Look for a setting that implies optimization for wide-screen sources, often labeled as "Wide-screen Enhanced." Use this setting if present. The set will perform "raster compression," dramatically reducing scan line visibility and optimizing available resolution.

3. Reset the picture and sharpness settings on the display by accessing the picture quality setting via the remote. This will be necessary with the picture and color density now enhanced.

References

• Michael DVD: 16:9 Enhancement
• DVD-B: 1.66:1 Widescreen: Enhanced Versus Non-Enhanced

Resources

• DVD Review: Lingo