Earlier this summer, VIZIO excited the industry by showing off its Cinemawide Series 3D LED LCD HDTVs, which feature a 21:9 aspect ratio. These ultrawide screens are the perfect shape for watching movies released in theaters (and on Blu-ray) in 2.35:1 or 2.4:1 CinemaScope aspect ratios. And now the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is getting excited about it too, and they've decided there should be a standard for that.
The CEA just announced that work has begun on a new set of standards to support these wide 21:9 aspect ratio TV screens. The end result will be specifications for signaling the presence of 21:9 aspect ratio video in various digital media. Right now, the process has just begun, with the CEA seeking out members of the industry to get involved in the update. According to the CEA's announcement, they want "to investigate incorporation of methods for signaling delivery of the presence of 21:9 video into CEA 861, A DTV Profile for Uncompressed High-Speed Digital Interfaces."
CEA-861 is the branch that makes protocols, requirements and recommendations for the utilization of uncompressed digital interfaces by consumer electronics devices such as digital televisions (DTVs), digital cable, satellite or terrestrial set-top boxes (STBs), and related peripheral devices.
Like the VIZIO sets we saw back in June, these next-gen TV sets will have the capability to show an even more expanded widescreen view than today's 16:9 screens. This should make for a better overall viewing experience, not just for watching CinemaScope movies, but for those who want to split their attention between a standard 16:9 program and internet apps on the remaining screen area.
"The introduction of video displays with 21:9 aspect ratio is an exciting development that can increase consumer enjoyment and satisfaction for video consumption," said Wayne Luplow, VP of Zenith R&D Lab, LG Electronics USA Inc. and chair or CEA's Video Systems Committee. "We hope the proposed modifications to CEA-861 will help manufacturers build products that can signal their ability to display this extra widescreen video and invite input from other organizations involved in the creation and delivery of DTV content."
The CEA also says they believe that other standards-related organizations might also want to consider the inclusion of methods for signaling and delivery of 21:9 aspect ratio content utilizing other transport systems.
The working group just had a conference call on August 31. The CEA expects the next teleconference to take place on September 13, 2011. [Thanks to our friends at Twice for the tip!]
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