Truth is, the 16:9 format of HDTV is really a trade off, the aspect ratio of regular TV is usually 4:3 and for movies to be displayed, the right and left sides usually had to be chopped off considerably, cutting down the viewing area from the film; (you know, that is where you get that message that the film has been formatted to fit your screen).
Well, while some screens in theatres have been cut down in size, a typical aspect ratio for film is 20:8. HDTV allows the complete, unchopped viewing of either film or a TV show (ie: 20:8 or 4:3) to be displayed on the screen with reasonable resolution. Just with 20:8 you will get bars at the top and bottom of the screen, with 4:3 you will get bars on the right and left sides of the screen.
Hope this info helps.
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