Why can't the UKTV channels broadcast in proper 16:9 widescreen instead of anamorphic 14:9 format?
Thread Starter: classicTVlover Started: Thu 31 May 2007 Replies: 2
Why can't the UKTV channels broadcast in proper 16:9 widescreen instead of anamorphic 14:9 format?
I enjoy UKTV's channels BUT what I find annoying is that programmes made for proper 16:9 widescreen and shown on UKTV aren't broadcast this way in proper 16:9;they're done in the awful compromise 14:9 anamorphic widescreen mode instead that you see on analogue tv. Why can't UKTV flick that 16:9 button in it's transmission suites and transmit TRUE 16:9 widescreen on programmes made for it and when it makes programmes for it's own channels (or commissions them from other production houses and broadcast companies) then broadcast them that way? I cannot believe that it's 2007 and UKTV hasn't moved forward with 16:9 programme production/acquisition/transmission;seems stuck in the dark ages! 
NO there is nothing wrong with my 16:9 TV, UKTV NEVER broadcasts it's programmes in true 16:9 widescreen they always insist on 14:9 anamorphic widescreen presentation on their services-when analogue TV is being switched off and you find channels still doing 14:9 anamorphic widescreen this is old hat. When you stretch a 14:9 anamorphic widescreen presented programme to full 16:9 mode on a widescreen TV it looks AWFUL. In today's multichannel digital TV age it makes sense to go full 16:9 where programmes are shot/produced in that format and if you have or are showing(or are making) a programme that is a mix of old archive 4:3 material and newer 16:9 material say a celebratory programme on TOTP, when you make it, it makes sense to add thin side bars to the old material that isn't widescreen (14:9 pillarboxing) and retain 16:9 for the newer widescreen material and camera interviews rather than stretching to 16:9 for everything(on old material you have to chop a lot of detail out to prepare this for 16:9 transmission and it looks pretty odd).