Although absent from this year's CES (Consumer Eletronics Show), Philips has announced a new "super-wide" LCD television with a 21:9 aspect ratio for the European market. What makes this set so interesting is that the 21:9 aspect ratio is about the same as the Cinemascope and Panavision 2.35:1 aspect ratios used in many blockbuster films. In other words, no black bars on the top and bottom of the screen when watching DVD or Blu-ray Disc movies with very wide aspect ratios, such as Star Wars.
On the other hand, since the screen is so wide, the viewer will now experience black bars on the left and right side of a standard 16x9 HDTV broadcast image, and 4x3 content will look very small in the in center of the screen. For more info, including a 21:9 screen image, check out the Teaser from Philips.
My Perspective: 16x9 aspect ratio television screens are really the best compromise for television, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc viewing. Also, since Philips has effectively retreated from the U.S. television market, it is unlikely this particular set will be available to U.S. consumers, but if it does, it would be interesting to see how it would be received. Stay tuned for more details as they become avaiable.
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