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macintologist · Jun 7, 2007, 04:26 AM

I'm buying a 27" TV soon which has component video inputs. I was kinda excited about this because the Apple TV has component video and some blog posts show that it works in full color. But my question is about the fact that it's not widescreen.

1) If I buy a movie on iTunes which is no doubt widescreen, will it properly letterbox on my 4:3 TV? Or will it stretch? (If you play a widescreen DVD movie on a 4:3 movie, it automatically letterboxes it for you.)

2) If I play a regular 4:3 movie on the Apple TV, will it still stretch somehow on my TV or will it also look 4:3 and thus normal?

pcguy1 · Jun 7, 2007, 07:03 AM

I think

if your tv is not ws, when you play 4:3, the movie is just normal.
if your tv is ws, when you play 4:3, the movie will be normal with wide black strip on side.

macintologist · Jun 7, 2007, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by pcguy1

I think

if your tv is not ws, when you play 4:3, the movie is just normal.
if your tv is ws, when you play 4:3, the movie will be normal with wide black strip on side.

Thanks for answering one part, though I'm really curious about widescreen content on a 4:3 TV through the Apple TV.

Goldfinger · Jun 7, 2007, 08:28 AM

Why are you getting a 4:3 SDTV ? Because it's cheap ? If so, can't you get any 16:9 SDTVs in the US ?

Wiskedjak · Jun 7, 2007, 10:00 AM

Unless the TV itself has a 16:9 mode (ie: self imposes the black bars), I think all content from the aTV will be stretched to 4:3. The aTV doesn't have 4:3 and 16:9 modes; it just pushes it's 16:9 formatted content to fill the entire screen of whatever it's connected to.

As to getting a 16:9 SDTV, they aren't as inexpensive as 4:3 SDTVs.

mduell · Jun 7, 2007, 04:45 PM

If you set it for 480i/p output, I think it will be fine. 480i/p is always a 4:3 signal AFAIK.

macfantn · Jun 7, 2007, 08:53 PM

Amazon.com: Samsung TX-R3079WH 30" Wide SlimFit HDTV with Built-In HD Tuner: Electronics

this tv may work better it's not as cheap as a 27" but it's not too expensive

macintologist · Jun 8, 2007, 09:11 AM

Heh, I'm a poor college student and my girlfriend and I are splitting this $150 TV as a treat since we're rooming together next year, so $500 and above is out of the question

Wiskedjak · Jun 8, 2007, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by macintologist

Heh, I'm a poor college student and my girlfriend and I are splitting this $150 TV as a treat since we're rooming together next year, so $500 and above is out of the question

And, yet, you can justify a $300 aTV?

shifuimam · Jun 8, 2007, 10:38 AM

It's a $150 TV...

I want that samsung. I can't believe my now-obsolete 27" 4:3 Zenith HDTV monitor (no tuner) was like $450. It was a good price at the time.

To the OP:

the thing is, starting in 2008, TV broadcasts will no longer be required to broadcast an analog signal. Before you know it, you're going to need an HDTV to be able to watch a lot of channels. Not to mention if you and your girlfriend call it quits, who gets the TV?

All I'm saying, make sure you are certain you want to buy something that (a)uses technology that's going out the door and (b)is a joint purchase between you and someone you're not married to. If you really want it, get it. Try to get one that can switch between 16:9 and 4:3, though. It might help with the AppleTV output.

To goldfinger: I don't think that there are a lot of 16:9 SDTV options here in the US. I've seen 4:3 TVs that are SD, ED, and HD, but the only 16:9 TVs I've ever seen are HD.

zerostar · Jun 8, 2007, 03:51 PM

Skimping on the TV then spending 2 times the $ for content delivery seems a little backwards to me?

msuper69 · Jun 8, 2007, 06:16 PM

"Maximum of 800 lines horizontal resolution"

That's from the Samsung web site.

This TV isn't even capable of the minimum HD specification. No thanks!

And the warranty is 1 year with in-home service.

And it only weighs 120 lbs.

macintologist · Jun 12, 2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

It's a $150 TV...

I want that samsung. I can't believe my now-obsolete 27" 4:3 Zenith HDTV monitor (no tuner) was like $450. It was a good price at the time.

To the OP:

the thing is, starting in 2008, TV broadcasts will no longer be required to broadcast an analog signal. Before you know it, you're going to need an HDTV to be able to watch a lot of channels. Not to mention if you and your girlfriend call it quits, who gets the TV?

All I'm saying, make sure you are certain you want to buy something that (a)uses technology that's going out the door and (b)is a joint purchase between you and someone you're not married to. If you really want it, get it. Try to get one that can switch between 16:9 and 4:3, though. It might help with the AppleTV output.

To goldfinger: I don't think that there are a lot of 16:9 SDTV options here in the US. I've seen 4:3 TVs that are SD, ED, and HD, but the only 16:9 TVs I've ever seen are HD.

I thought that the new analog rules only apply to over the air signals and cable is still the same, plus you can get an adapter thingie. I have component input, s-video, coaxial and RCA inputs so I think I'm set with this TV

shifuimam · Jun 13, 2007, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by msuper69

"Maximum of 800 lines horizontal resolution"

This TV isn't even capable of the minimum HD specification. No thanks!

n

HD is either 720p (720 rows) or 1080p (1080 rows). HDTV broadcasts are nearly always in 720p, some are in 1080i (which a 720p-capable display can do). 1080p is currently only used with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

An HDTV is defined as being able to do 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. EDTV (enhanced-definition) is defined as being able to do 480i and 480p. Standard DVDs are in 480p.

That TV would be plenty for anyone who is fine without bleeding-edge technology.

To macintologist: you'll probably be fine. By the time HD is standad across the board, you'll probably be out of college and have the money for an HDTV.

msuper69 · Jun 13, 2007, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

HD is either 720p (720 rows) or 1080p (1080 rows). HDTV broadcasts are nearly always in 720p, some are in 1080i (which a 720p-capable display can do). 1080p is currently only used with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

An HDTV is defined as being able to do 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. EDTV (enhanced-definition) is defined as being able to do 480i and 480p. Standard DVDs are in 480p.

That TV would be plenty for anyone who is fine without bleeding-edge technology.

To macintologist: you'll probably be fine. By the time HD is standad across the board, you'll probably be out of college and have the money for an HDTV.

Your giving vertical resolutions. A horizontal resolution of 800 pixels ain't HD. And a 720p set is not physically capable of displaying 1080i or 1080p at it's full resolution. The image has to be scaled down with the resulting loss of some information. I wouldn't waste my money on a set that is not capable of 1920x1080. To each his own I guess.

mitchell_pgh · Jun 13, 2007, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by msuper69

Your giving vertical resolutions. A horizontal resolution of 800 pixels ain't HD. And a 720p set is not physically capable of displaying 1080i or 1080p at it's full resolution. The image has to be scaled down with the resulting loss of some information. I wouldn't waste my money on a set that is not capable of 1920x1080. To each his own I guess.

I don't think you are correct.

The Apple TV does 720p (1280 vertical lines of resolution by 720 horizontal lines of resolution)

"Maximum of 800 lines horizontal resolution" is beyond 720p's 720 horizontal lines of resolution. Sure it won't do 1080p or 1080i, but to be honest, it's not bad for $500.

I've been wrestling with a similar issue. HD DVD/Blu-ray plus a TV/Tuner that will support the hitgher end audio will set you back considerably (like $5-6K+).

I love HD, but not that much. When I can spend $2.5-3K for a whole new setup, I'll jump in.

msuper69 · Jun 13, 2007, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

I don't think you are correct.

The Apple TV does 720p (1280 vertical lines of resolution by 720 horizontal lines of resolution)

"Maximum of 800 lines horizontal resolution" is beyond 720p's 720 horizontal lines of resolution. Sure it won't do 1080p or 1080i, but to be honest, it's not bad for $500.

I've been wrestling with a similar issue. HD DVD/Blu-ray plus a TV/Tuner that will support the hitgher end audio will set you back considerably (like $5-6K+).

I love HD, but not that much. When I can spend $2.5-3K for a whole new setup, I'll jump in.

Horizontal resolution goes from left to right. Think of looking out over the horizon. It's 1280 horizontal and 720 vertical. I'm not wrong. I do believe I know the difference between horizontal and vertical. Give me a little credit.