4:3 aspect ratio on hdtv
 

I want to use a 17 " hdtv to view my output of my edited video. I am currently using a 13 inch tv . I am using 4:3 aspect ratio 720x480. How would this view on a hdtv 17"? would it be stretched? I want to lighten the load and space on my desk. Plus I am getting a good deal on it. I just was wondering about this set up.

Widescreen TV's have a button (or menu function) to choose how to display the video signal. The options have different names on different brands, but basically you can choose from:

1. full screen - stretches the image to fill the 16:9 frame, regardless of original format

2. 4:3 - displays the image in a 4:3 aspect ratio with black bars to the left and right (sometimes called "pillarboxing")

3. zoom - magnifies the image so that its center fills the 16:9 screen. This has the effect of filling the screen with a letterboxed 16:9 image. If used with a regular 4:3 image it chops off the top and bottom.

5. smart - like full screen but proportional. The image is stretched to fill the whole 16:9 screen, but the sides are stretched more than the center. Supposed to be a compromise for fitting a 4:3 image on your wide screen, but in reality it makes everyone look short and fat.

Anyway, if you're working with 4:3 material you would just choose 4:3 mode. People with Plasma screens aren't too fond of this because you can burn in the center part of your screen over time. The newer sets are supposed to be much better. LCD screens shouldn't have an issue like this.