Very novice question about ratio ...

Hi everyone! Alright this is a very novice question so be gentle. :o

So I've picked out a new LCD(Vizio VOJ370F1A)just need to pick it up. Called Dish to set up a date to come out and all that stuff. (I forgot to ask the Dish rep about this so thought I'd ask you guys.)

To put it simply - will there be a setting ratio for SD 4:3 channels to fill the screen without any bars and look relatively normal? At least watchable? I suppose its different for everyone on what one considers watchable, but you know what I mean.

You can go full zoom, but you will lose a lot of picture at the top and bottom.

You have several different modes. Partial zoom satisfies most and doesn't cut off too much of the picture.

In my mind, NO. No amount of "fixing" makes a 4:3 signal look acceptable except 4:3.

In my wifes mind, stretching is perfectly acceptable.

Wait until you actually see the TV before making up your mind.

In my mind, NO. No amount of "fixing" makes a 4:3 signal look acceptable except 4:3.

In my wifes mind, stretching is perfectly acceptable.

Wait until you actually see the TV before making up your mind.

I agree 100%. I can barely stand to watch 4:3 programming "stretched" into 16:9, like a lot of "HD" channels do from time to time. Even the "smart stretch" where they don't stretch the middle, but do at the edges...

I suppose one could always do what some movie theaters do. THey have curtains to block off the view of the white screen when they change aspect ratios...
:D

I can't handle the improper aspect ratios, I have two projectors and screens. One 4:3 And one 16:9.

My personal pet peeve is Films formatted in scope 2.35:1 being HDTV broadcast in 1.78:1 (16x9) to fill the screen. It crops the image by nearly 25% off the sides. Nice seeing 75% of the Film.

I don't know if it is HBO / Showtime etc. or Dish making the format call.

I can't hand the improper aspect ratios, I have two projectors and screens. One 4:3 And one 16:9.

My personal pet peeve is Films formatted in scope 2.35:1 being HDTV broadcast in 1.78:1 (16x9) to fill the screen. It crops the image by nearly 25% off the sides. Nice seeing 75% of the Film.

I don't know if it is HBO / Showtime etc. or Dish making the format call.

That's a network thing that the providers have no control over. Blame HBO/Cinema/Showtime....Starz seems to be pretty good with OAR though.

-Shark2k