February 2, 2009 As all aspect ratio snobs know, the 21:9 cinema screen aspect ratio was developed to mimic our own peripheral vision and therefore provide a more immersive viewing experience. Recognizing this Philips has unveiled the world's first cinema-proportioned LCD TV dubbed the Cinema 21:9, which features a 21:9 aspect ratio 56-inch screen and Philips' Ambilight technology to deliver what it says is the most completely immersive home viewing experience possible.
While many people may have thought the days of black bars framing the TV image may have been behind them when the shelled out for their standard 16:9 HDTV, they discovered that is not necessarily the case. Particularly with many Blu-ray titles available in the cinema standard 2.39:1, which of course results in the unwelcome return of those black bars framing the picture – not so with the Cinema 21:9. Philips claims the TV uses highly advanced formatting technology to adapt regular 16:9 content from sources such as TV broadcasts and games consoles to fill the 21:9 screen, but there's no details on whether this involves stretching the image, whether zooming is involved or if the feature can be disabled, but Philips has promised more detailed product specs at the end of this month. Home cinema buffs stay tuned.
No word on pricing, but expect a premium price tag when the Cinema 21:9 TV is made available in spring this year.
Via SlashGear.