You have noticed however that even 1.85:1 films don;t completely fill the 16:9 screen right? (there is still slight letterboxing at the top and bottom). So we still have 4 aspect rations in common use today (4:3, 16:9, 1.85:1, and 2.35:1)
I think this is a problem that can only be solved except by changing our expectations. There is just too much visual content from too many diverse sources to ever achieve standardization (not to mention some business like movie theaters make not want standardization). I love my widescreen TV because I have so many widescreen DVD's and even the 2.35:1 ones are a lot bigger now than they were on my old 27 inch Trinitron. But many of them still have letterboxing and its a heck of a lot better than it was on the old 4:3 tube. I honestly forget about it after a while.
On the other hand widescreen aspect ratios on computers is great for movies and TV but not so great for productivity especially if you do graphic work like I do. It won't be long before I have to buy a 30" Apple or Dell monitor because dual widescreens will be so long and skinny as to be useless.
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OK. Sorry for the harshness of the post.
You have noticed however that even 1.85:1 films don;t completely fill the 16:9 screen right? (there is still slight letterboxing at the top and bottom). So we still have 4 aspect rations in common use today (4:3, 16:9, 1.85:1, and 2.35:1)
I think this is a problem that can only be solved except by changing our expectations. There is just too much visual content from too many diverse sources to ever achieve standardization (not to mention some business like movie theaters make not want standardization). I love my widescreen TV because I have so many widescreen DVD's and even the 2.35:1 ones are a lot bigger now than they were on my old 27 inch Trinitron. But many of them still have letterboxing and its a heck of a lot better than it was on the old 4:3 tube. I honestly forget about it after a while.
On the other hand widescreen aspect ratios on computers is great for movies and TV but not so great for productivity especially if you do graphic work like I do. It won't be long before I have to buy a 30" Apple or Dell monitor because dual widescreens will be so long and skinny as to be useless.