As an increasingly large segment of the viewing audience purchases widescreen TVs (16x9) and broadcasting heads in that direction, steps are being taken to present 4x3 shows on widescreen TVs.
To maintain the prospect aspect ratio, or shape, of over 50 years worth of 4x3 programs now being watched on 16x9 TV sets, black bars are being added to sides to make them 16x9.
Unlike local commercial stations, the programs we get from PBS National are still a mixture of 4x3 (nearly square) and 16x9 (widescreen). This holds true for the programs we purchase from independent producers, the array of distributors we buy programming from and the archived programming in our library.
Rocky Mountain PBS staff is working hard to reformat both old and new 4x3 programming to the 16x9 shape. To accommodate the widescreen format, we are putting black vertical bars on either side of the 4x3 picture. Those viewers watching us over cable or satellite will likely not see the black side bars, as your cable or satellite provider is cutting off those bars by enlarging the picture. This is an industry effect called "center cut" that is being done to programming shown on the analog cable and satellite feeds. It is being done to the local commercial stations' programming as well.
When the center cut is in effect, the result is that the important action remains center screen and is seen by both those with 4x3 and 16x9 TVs. In addition, the aspect ratio is kept correct. People onscreen look neither stretched nor squashed.
If you watch Rocky Mountain PBS over-the-air either through a TV with a digital receiver and tuner or through a converter box, you may see the black side bars, depending upon how you've set your TV to display picture shape. We suggest you leave your TV on widescreen mode (16x9).
-Tom Craig, Production Manager
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