As I was fiddling around with my new set of Masters Of Horror
I was having a discussion with Savage about converting
some of the widescreen format shows (MoH, NCIS, The Unit)
and how it ends up being traded

So I was hoping to get opinions as far as how people saw
things on they're trades. Do you request it up front for the
conversion? If they don't convert it just refuse the materials?
Or are people anymore okay with the widescreen format that
many shows are coming out with?

Ideas, suggestions?

:angdev: Ahhhhhhhh yes good post good post.:angdev:


When I first got HDTV
I thought nothign of the ratio-
and I have to say- I got a lot of complaints.

I wont name names- but the largest complaint I received was that it was difficult to see on the average tv.
Average being 27''

Now that I have had some experience- and had both ratios for a bit

I have learned that the majority of traders I have dealt with-
Prefer, the 4:3 ration - which is the standard tv size.
Although you don't get that extra fraction of size on the left and right, the fact is they dont need a larger tv to view it.
Especially true for movies.:thumbsdow

I myself have the luxery of a 25'' televison in the bedroom, and a large screen downstairs in the basement.

I dont mind the widescreen on a large tv- for it ends up good quality and about average size-
But I admit, movies or shows that are HDTV, or widescreen rations, don't get watched in the bedroom for the same reasons.

Any shows I get, that are widescreen, I actually reformat to the 4:3 ratio.


When I put up a lot of widescreen recorded shows over the winter holidays.
They didn't get taken quickly- and most 'settled" for them.

I think the dare I say, younger generation is more apt to enjoy widescreen as the tv's that view them well are more common NOW then when I was out byuing my electronics.
But as not everyone can fit, or afford a huge tv in their bedrooms-
Its strictly an entertainment room viewing for me.

For day to day viewings, it's 4:3 I, and seemingly more prefer. :thumbsup:

Call me a slut, but I take whatever I can get. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Beggars can't be choosers & all that jazz.

We have 2 big screens, a portable dvd player & I'm hoping to get an Ipod this week. I don't know about the Ipod, but the others allow you to easily change the display format, so the show is not distorted. (I'd rather watch a show with black borders than to watch it distorted.) Yeah, it can be a bit annoying if you need to change the screen format between episodes on the same disc...but really, it's not that difficult. A couple of clicks on the remote...poof.

Me? I'm just glad to get the shows I'm looking for.

:grineyes:

dont waste the time converting to 4-3

so what if some dont have a tv that will handle it

are you going to convert to beta as well becasue some are too cheap to upgrade??

do something constructive

I have to say- I got a lot of complaints.

Pardon me for saying, but you're dealing with traders who don't want the show badly enough. :p

I suppose if one wants shows that are constantly being aired on various network or cable channels or available on retail, one can afford to be a bit choosy. (Can't say as I ever recall seeing anyone asking about "Bewitched" on this board!) But most of us here, don't trade for those shows.

Some traders may want the full screen because thats the way they remember it back when they originally saw it on TV. I would not turn down a trade either way. Wide screen TVs have really come down in price. I bought a fairly nice one almost 2 years ago for under $1000.00. As much as I watch TV I really don't think that is a lot to spend......but what do I know, some people still think buying 100 discs for $9.99 is a deal rather than spending $28-30 for brand name good media.

Well, one of the reasons I asked is because there have been some traders
that have sent items back because they weren't converted to 4:3 standard
even on shows that were originally broadcast Widescreen.

For me, I'm comfortable with widescreen but then I can understand why someone would want it fullscreen. It would be easier to watch.

I agree that I'll defiantely take a show, in whatever format I can get-

Even BETA lol


I'm just saying for me, I don't watch widescreen in my bedroom because seeing it is impossible-
so those whom have said that to me, if i have the option, ill do 4:3 -
Some dvds have options, one side is widescreen one side is 4:3

so If i borrow a movie from a friend or the library I opt with the 4:3

But I wont miss out on a show over the ratio