The future of TV systems are for digital 16:9 wide screen transmission. Digital Broadcasting has already commenced in various parts of the European Community and the USA (also in High Definition). The start date for Australia will be on the 1st of January 2001, although test broadcasts will occur during 2000. At this stage it appears that HDTV will be a common format for both PAL and NTSC countries. Current bets are for 1080 24 progressive universally switchable to 25.
Australia will retain analogue television for at least eight years, it will also broadcast a standard digital signal (wide screen) as well as HDTV (High Definition). It is this interim period that causes some confusion about the wide screen aspect ratio and the existing analogue 4:3 transmission. It should be noted that the Australian Government made a bizarre decision of having three different signals. Somebody obviously couldn't make up their mind!
Producers considering shooting in a 16:9 ratio to "future proof" their programs can do so either by shooting on wide screen formats such as Super16 for film or Digital Betacam . New cameras also provide for other formats such as Betacam SP and DVCAM for video. High Definition TV will also be available through digital broadcasting and best suited to formats such as 35mm film and HDTV video cameras.
Digital Betacam and or its equivalent can be "upconverted" to HDTV with reasonable results. Most programs would be "upconverted" until there is a regular supply of HDTV material.
What will 16:9 look like when shown on a 4:3 screen ?
The picture will be letterboxed in a 16:9 format with no loss of image.
A variation of this would be to 'stretch' it slightly to 14:9 format minimizing the loss of image on the 4:3 screen. This is the preferred option by most broadcasters in Europe and probably Australia. The Seven Network seem to be going this way.
If you do neither the picture will be a tall thin image (anamorphic) that would be unacceptable on a 4:3 receiver. Until wide screen transmissions commence these effects can be done through either an Aspect Ratio Converter (ARC) or through a digital effects device. As in the U.S. Australia will eventually phase out 4:3 analogue transmission to free up the VHF bandwidth. Remember this is an interim requirement until digital transmission commences. Producers will end up with two master tapes. One in its original wide screen format and the other in a letterbox format.
Will anyone get the benefit now?
16:9 is a more pleasing aspect ratio and it is generally regarded as a more natural way of viewing an image - similar to the field of view for the human eye. It also provide a new world of framing for cameramen. Major European broadcasters have been transmitting wide screen in Pal Plus (analogue) and now in digital broadcasting. Australia should start to see digital HDTV sets and new generation plasma screens by mid 2000.
How is 16:9 post produced ?
If you decide to produce in 16:9, all post should be done in 16:9 and the final program transferred via an aspect ratio converter or other method to a 4:3 aspect if that is the market you are currently producing for.
Most digital equipment at Post Production houses are switchable between 4:3 and 16:9 formats, i.e. vision mixer, DME, character generator or AVID Media Composers. In a linear online it is possible to combine 4:3 format recordings into a 16:9 format master tape (reverse is also possible). Problems may occur by mixing ratio formats in a non linear domain. It's wise to convert to a single format prior to editing in non linear.
Will producing on 16:9 video cost more ?
Historically, wide screen was only possible on film. The introduction of new generation digital cameras like the Sony Digital Betacam wide screen camcorder - available from guess who - has brought true wide screen video within the reach of most production companies. Shooting on Digital Betacam (in 4:3 or 16:9) has the simplicity of shooting on Betacam SP, but with the advantages of digital recording (both video and audio). It should cost no more to shoot wide screen. The DXC D30 is now available at Digibeta as a wide-screen camera, with either Betacam SP or DVCAM formats.
Things to consider.
In this digital age things just get better and better. The quality of HDTV was simply unthinkable 20 years ago.
Today there is already a prototype DVD in HD. Something one should consider for the long term.
©Mal Hamilton
