PROJECTORS: 4:3 native / 16:9 compatable. What does this mean? (1 Viewer)

[Chris Dugger]

Just got my hands on a video projector that is 4:3 native, but states it is 16:9 compatable....

Exactly what does that mean?

Dugger

 

[Allan Jayne]

This means that if the DVD was optimized for 16:9 (is anamorphic) then you can push a button on the projector's remote to reshape the picture as seen on the screen to be correctly proportioned rather than squashed left to right.

 

[Jim Mcc]

If the majority of your viewing will be widescreen, you want to buy a native 16:9 projector. Just the opposite if the majority of viewing will be 4:3.

 

[Mark-P]

To be more precise, the projected image is 4X3. But 16x9 shaped material will be accommodated by projected black bars above and below.

 

[Philip Hamm]

As they have said. My Infocus X1 is this way. Native 4x3 with a 16:9 mode which has letterboxes.

Just yesterday I was watching an IMAX film and thinking how happy I am that I have that big gigantic 96" 4x3 image......

 

[Chris Dugger]

so, those who have the 4:3 projectors use a fixed 4:3 screen and live with the letter boxing?

Dugger

 

[Jim Mcc]

I have a 4:3 projector, the Infocus X1, but I use it in 16:9 mode with a 16:9 screen. I'd say only 10% of my viewing is 4:3(old DVD movies).

 

[Philip Hamm]

That's what I do. Fantastic picture. I love it.