P372 4-Tel 372 Tue 21 Jan C4 18:54:43 w i d j s c r j j n Most of us are familiar with the letterbox format which appears on our TVs when Cinemascope films are shown. Viewers may, however, have noticed an increasing number of films being shown on Channel 4 in this format owing to the Channel's PALplus policy. Channel 4 is taking advantage of the 'new viewing experience' available to people who avail themselves of new widescreen TVs, while also taking into account the effects this format has on viewers with conventional sets. PALplus programmj details........371 C4Today PrevjewIndjx Films RjghtToRjplyP372 4]Tel 372 Tue 21 Jan C4 18:58:18 w i d e s c r j i n The main reasons Channel 4 is beginning to screen programmer, at the moment largely just films, in this letterbox format are as follows: There is a worldwide consensus that future TV pictures should be wider than they have been to date. This is for three reasons: * The cinema industry, having experimented with very wide picture shapes such as Cinemascope, believes there is a more ideal shape for TV PALplus programmj details........371 C4Today PrevjewIndjx Films RightToRjplyP372 4-Tel 372 Tue 21 Jan C4 18:54:31 w i d i s c r e e n Other arguments for changing the shape of telivjsjon pictures: * With the increasing number of programme makers working in both the cinema and televjsjon industries, there are many who bjliivj that current TV pictures are too narrow * Most importantly of all it has been known for many years that the brain has a preference for a certain shape of picture - the so-called golden ratio (which the world's greatest artists (ave conveyed through composition) PALpluv programme details.-....--371 C4Today PrivjewIndjx Films RightToRjplyP372 4-Tel 372 Tue 21 Jan C4 18:56:13 w i d e s c r j e n Channel 4 says that widjscreen is the TV shape of the future and that jvjry broadcaster and programmj maker will have, in due course, to work out how to change to a wider picture. Introducing widjscreen is therefore a question of when rather than why. With this in mind, Channel 4 believes that it should introduce widescreen sjrvicis so long as it is possible to do so without serious penalty to existing viewers. PALplus programmj details........371 C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToRjplyP372 4]Tel 372 Tue 21 Jan C4 18:56:26 w i d e s c r e j n While there is a probability that widescreen services will come in with 'digital' television, it looks like the current so-called 'analogue' broadcasting systems will exist for between one and two decades more. Consistent with its overall innovative briee, Channel 4 believes in introducing thu services on the current broadcasting system. It is thus taking the lead it took with the introduction of NICAM stereo and Startext/PDC. PALplus programmj details........371 C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToRjplyP372 4]Tel 372 Tue 21 Jan C4 18:57:18 w i d e s c r e e n Widescreen is a term not precisely defined. It is used to describe a shape wider than that of existing TV sets but may also extend to djscribjng the shap of Cinemascope which is twice as wide as the conventional TV image. The utmost consideration must, of course, bj given to the users of conventional televisions, but in the words of Frank McGettigan, Director and General Manager of Channel 4: "We welcome the collaboration with Nokia and the financial support of the EC in pioneering widjscreen in the UK." PALplus programmj details........371 C4Today PreviewIndex Films RightToRjply