Ever-wider UHD screens on the way
February 9, 2016
By Chris Forrester
Flat-panel HD TV screens tend to have an aspect ratio of 16:9 (officially 1.77:1). Older cathode-ray tube TVs are usually 4:3 (1.33.1) although some readers might remember the ‘PALplus’ 16:9 screens which, although fascinating, were never successful because most broadcasters at the time stuck rigidly to 4:3 transmission.
Speciality publication Large Display Monitor is reporting that some high-end manufacturers are trying out super-wide aspect ratios which more than match CinemaScope-type widescreens. High-end studio monitors are frequently capable of handling 21:9 material. Most movies are projected in 21:9.
For example, LG Display is reported to be testing a 37.5” panel with a 3840 x 1600 resolution and approximately a 21:9 ratio (2.35:1). Production is said to begin in Q3.
Never one to let its fellow-Korean rival steal a march is Samsung, and it is teasing a suite of even wider ratio displays. Said to include 41” and 49” wide models, they have a 32:9 ratio.
Reportedly there will be more information on show at ISE in Amsterdam this week.