4X3,letterbox or 16X9

[beeper]

I want widescreen not letterboxed.

The original topic of this thread was asking for opinions regarding how any existing aspect ratios should be broadcast, not which aspect ratios should be broadcast or which is a better compromise. (Yes, any aspect ratio is a compromise)

GBK's opinion is clear that 4:3 should no longer be broadcast because it doesn't fill a 16:9 screen.

I watch the "Matrix" DVD which is  2.35:1 and has to be letterboxed on a 16:9 screen. Broadcasters may start showing more 2.35:1 movies and letterboxing them. (GBK will not watch something like this because it does not fill his screen.)

I might choose to watch some scences of the Matrix "cinema zoomed" to fill the height of a 16:9 screen to provide a larger image size. That's my choice.

In my opinion, any so called "butchering" of the original aspect ratio must be left
to the final viewer, period.

It seems as though Milwaukee DTV broadcasters are handling aspect ratios correctly, provided you are using a HDTV. The only thing I have noticed that seems incorrect is if you are watching DTV down converted to 480i to view on an analog TV, the 3 networks are letterboxing and pillering 4:3 material (if "set by program" is selected on the receivers aspect ratio setting) while 10-1 thru 7,18,24, and 58-2(aka41) fill a 4:3 screen. In other words when viewing the 3 major networks you have to select "crop" on the receiver to fill a 4:3 screen with 4:3 broadcast. (annoying)

The original post in this thread stated that someone thought Milwaukee DTV broadcasters were not correctly handling differing aspect ratios, but it wasn't specific as to what they felt was wrong.

Any further info from the original post would keep this thread going in the direction
it should be going.

beeper

[StarvingForHDTV]

In my opinion, any so called "butchering" of the original aspect ratio must be left to the final viewer, period.

beeper

I agree.  The networks and local stations should send the programming in the aspect ratio in which it was created.

[GBK]

GBK's opinion is clear that 4:3 should no longer be broadcast because it doesn't fill a 16:9 screen.

beeper

That's partially right 4x3 should not be produced (for new programming make it 16x9) all old programming obviously can't be changed and I choose not to view it  that's my personal choice,   but there are some movies that still get changed "this movie was formated to fit your screen" well in my case no it wasn't I have 16x9 and what I get to watch would be 4x3...  I don't have a specific example as of right now but you get the idea.

Now I don't particularly have a problem with zooming the 2.35 ratio to fit the HDTV (relatively minor picture distortion occurs compared to stretching 4x3 screen but we have the movie studios to thank for that one) but like you said it's up to the viewer.  
Now I know not everyone will agree with my opinion and that's fine.