SuperSport is ditching the 4:3 picture format across all its standard-definition (SD) broadcasts, moving to a widescreen format based on the 16:9 aspect ratio, parent MultiChoice said on Friday. The broadcaster already offers its HD channels in widescreen.
“The switchover brings these SD channels in line with international broadcasting trends and with other channels on the DStv platform,” MultiChoice said.
There’s nothing more frustrating than being pulled out of an adrenaline-filled emersion in your favourite game because part of your picture’s been cut off. That was the problem with the old 4:3 aspect ratio when combined with modern flat-screen TVs,” it said in a statement.
Viewers with older TVs that don’t support widescreen pictures will have to select 16:9 letterbox format manually on their DStv decoders. “This will display the full 16:9 image on a 4:3 screen, with black bars at the top and bottom of the screen,” the company said.
SuperSport acting CEO Brandon Foot said the brought SuperSport in line with international trends. “It offers a far richer viewing experience, particularly for sport which is often fluid and panoramic.” — (c) 2014 NewsCentral Media