If programs are broadcast in HD does that mean that the aspect ratio will automatically be 16:9?

Question

Also, does 16:9 mean that it will completely fill my HD widescreen TV without having to use any picture zoom settings?

Answer 1

If it's not 16:9 then it's not HDTV. That aspect ratio is part of the ATSC specification for the HDTV formats. You will see 4:3 material on HD sets and broadcast by digital stations. It is a digital picture called SDTV, and has a resolution of 480 lines. That does not meet the definition of HDTV. In practice, may sources of program material are not HDTV even though they are broadcast with HDTV standards. For example, if you are watching a HD show, in 16:9, then the ads come on and they are 4:3. Those are NOT HDTV (although they are "digital"). The station is still broadcasting HD (1080i or 720p), but the picture you're seeing is 480 "upconverted"

An HDTV television picture will always fill your 16:9 screen, but some movies may not. That is because the theater screen ratios are higher (2.35:1 often, but they vary). In order not to cut off the picture sides, they will be broadcast (or outputted from a DVD player) with bars across the top and bottom.

Answer 2

If courses are reported to be broadcast in HD, then they're assume to be 16:9. I somewhat have got here upon that some stations, TNT mainly do not broadcast all their shows in 16:9. i'm guessing it truly is easily one of the educate particularly than the television station even with the reality that. also, note that all HD stations do not broadcast all their shows in HD. from time to time, it truly is 480p and four:3 format. yet another element to attraction to close is that no longer all HDTV are 16:9. some HDTV's are in 16:10 format. utilizing zoom or stretching will be in contact. with any luck at the same time as each and each and every of the stations get their act at the same time and are required to broadcast each and every thing in HD, each and every thing receives standarized.

Answer 3

No, shows can be sent out as 480P or 1080i and still be in 4:3 aspect ratio. When this happens, my TV shows them with gray bars on the top, bottom and sides. I hate when they do this, as I can't stretch it. An example would be Survivor, which is 1080i and 4:3. Also, you will find HD content that will fill your screen vertically, but still have gray on the top and bottom. That's very wide screen content. I see it a lot on DVD's when I upconvert to 1080i.

Answer 4

Nope, there is still a lot of 4:3 HD programming.