Philips reveals 21:9 widescreen TV

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S_Coaster

Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 6:19 AM

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http://www.cinema.philips.com/

There's a short film on the website to promote this, it was shot entirely in "Bullet time". Check it out.

As for the TV....i don't see a reason for a wider TV.

[Post edited by S_Coaster on Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 6:24 AM]

e_h_r_o_n

Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 11:16 AM

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If I was looking for a television that would be solely used for watching films it's a neat idea. I can't say I haven't wondered when something like this would be released. It will be interesting to see how it sells, but at the moment it looks to be a nice alternative for someone who wants a TV for watching movies yet doesn't want to go the projector route.

Aaron

p.s. interesting little article if anyone hasn't seen it yet.

http://www.igizmo.co.uk/articles/blogs/954-home-entertainment-world-isnt-ready-219-cinema-tv

[Post edited by e_h_r_o_n on Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 11:26 AM]

John J. Puccio

Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 1:59 PM

says... "It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide." --A.E. Neuman

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Great for viewing films with native aspect ratios of 2.35:1. No more black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

Not so good for haters of black bars when viewing 1.85:1 or 1.33:1 ratios, though, because they'll get even more black space on each side of the picture (assuming they don't stretch the picture to fit the screen

).

John

S_Coaster

Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 3:32 PM

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I read in the article that e_h_r_o_n posted, that some blu-ray titles offer a full 2:35 scan, and they mentioned iron man as an example. Does that mean they scan it anamorphically with no bars? Meaning the size of the video is the exact aspect ratio of the image? If true, does that mean that normal 16x9 tv's add the top and bottom bars automatically?

I have to agree on another thing mentioned in the article, most of the HD programming is being made for 16x9. I Think it's too late for this TV. maybe if this thing came out a while back, when flat panels were slowly starting to take over things might've looked better for Philips.

e_h_r_o_n

Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 5:04 PM

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I couldn't see myself using this for anything other than watching movies, and if that were the case I would probably be more inclined to look at projector technology since I would most likely be in an isolated space with complete control over lighting. Not sure how much of a market this thing will have, but I'm sure they've done their homework and I certainly appreciate Philips taking a chance regardless.

[Post edited by e_h_r_o_n on Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 5:04 PM]

Kilgore

Apr 26, 2009 - CDT 6:59 PM

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Are you guys familiar with Constant Image Height projector setups?

I have my projector and screen setup this way. With this setup, all images are the same height, but different widths. The largest screen image would be 2.39:1, typical of Cinemascope films. Smallest would be 4:3, with 1.78:1 in the middle.

The advantage of this is that the wider screen formats are much more impressive, just as they were intended. The development of Cinemascope was intended to present images in a much more expansive way that allows for a wider viewing area than that of the typical 16:9 image.

Additionally, black bars on the sides are much less intrusive and annoying than they are on the top and bottom. They are also much easier to mask with curtains on a projector setup than the horizontal black bars.

Once you accustom yourself to a Constant Image Height setup, you truly appreciate it. I won`t be going back to 16:9.

ReaggieP

Apr 27, 2009 - CDT 12:28 PM

says... is thinking "Brick House"...

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I must admit I like the TV. Question is why it took so long to hit retail? Anyways I will not be giving up my projector anytime soo but, however realize that I would replace my current plasma (if it dies, which I don't see it doing anytime soon) with this set for the aspect ratio.

Falcon01

Apr 27, 2009 - CDT 3:02 PM

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I really dislike that TV's are getting thinner and thinner. I like that I can watch tv right now in HD and it actually fills my screen (no black bars on top and bottom). I don't mind the black bars during movie watching although I wished they were not there.

To make the TV's even thinner is ridiculous to me. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY views the world in that way with their own eyes so why would I want to watch something in such a thin aspect ratio that is so wide?

It may work in a movie theatre because the screens are so LARGE but for me it does not work at home and it's annoying to be honest.

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Apr 27, 2009 - CDT 3:03 PM]

John J. Puccio

Apr 27, 2009 - CDT 4:29 PM

says... "It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide." --A.E. Neuman

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Well, by "thinner" I assume you mean a wider aspect ratio and not a thinner (as in depth) television set.

I was at the movies today ("State of Play," 2.35:1) and continue to notice that all the multiplexes I attend have one ratio screen in all of their theaters: 1.85:1. When they show a wider aspect ratio, the top and bottom of the multiplex screen is dark. Yes, motion-picture theaters today can have black bars at the top and bottom of the screen!

But nobody in a theater notices the black bars the way they do at home. Why? Is it because nobody at home goes to the movies anymore to notice them? Or are viewers at home more conscious of the black bars? Or as Falcon says, is the theater screen so big, viewers don't care? Or do home viewers just want to take up every square inch of their television screen so they think they're getting their money's worth?

If you're bothered by black bars and/or want a bigger picture, you can always buy a bigger television.

John

Tim Raynor

Apr 27, 2009 - CDT 5:40 PM

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John,

I will admit I'm not a big fan of the bars on the sides, as it took me about a year to get used to them on the top and bottom back in the late 90's. I thought I wouldn't have a problem with the bars on the sides, but after having my set for over a year, I have to admit I can't stand it! I feel like I'm trapped an inescapable box!

I don't think people notice it in a theatre as much because of two factors: 1.) Lighting (meaning it's pretty damn dark). 2.) Size (giant screen). I think those two factors are what help keep a persons eye so focused on the picture that you tend not to bother looking for "bar" details. I know I never notice it unless I tell myself to look for it. I have seen it when they don't quite get those curtains around the screen in the correct placement. However, as I said, most of the time I never notice it unless I'm looking for it.

Tim - My 50" Plasma has improved the quality of my life!