CEA to Create New Standard for 21:9 Aspect Ratio TV

[4K display]

Forget about 16:9, the next generation of displays is an even wider 21:9 aspect ratio. CEA 861 being developed to create a standard.

By Jason Knott, August 30, 2011
To support development of the next-generation of widescreen digital television, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) launched new standards activity to support wider, 21:9 aspect ratio TVs.

CEA is calling for industry participation in a standards update 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. Next-generation TV displays will be capable of showing video in 21:9 aspect ratio, creating an even more expanded widescreen view than today's prevalent 16:9 screens, and greatly enhancing the viewing experience for consumers.

CEA‑861 establishes 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. CEA’s Video Systems Committee has begun developing specifications for signaling the presence of 21:9 aspect ratio video. As video displays with 21:9 aspect ratio are now appearing in the marketplace, adding this feature to the standard can more efficiently deliver such video to DTV receivers with native 21:9 displays.

“The introduction of video displays with 21:9 aspect ratio is an exciting development that can increase consumer enjoyment and satisfaction for video consumption,” says Wayne Luplow, vice president 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 Video Systems Committee believes 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.

Consideration of this increased aspect ratio addition will take place in CEA’s DTV Interface Subcommittee's Uncompressed A/V Digital Interfaces Working Group. Participation in CEA standards and activities is open to any company, organization or individual with direct and material interest. The Working Group’s next meetings via conference call will take place on August 31 and September 13. To get involved, or for more information, please contact Dave Wilson at dwilson@CE.org.

I have no problem with manufacturers making these displays available to those who may want them, in fact it's kinda cool. As long as they are kept to a premium line with 1 or 2 models from each company.
If CE companies are going to make them anyway, like Philips has been doing for a while now, then standard guidelines would be great. However, if they are going to push 21:9 as the next generation "standard" then they are making a big mistake imo...

[drummerboy_2002]

Originally Posted by 4K display

Forget about 16:9, the next generation of displays is an even wider 21:9 aspect ratio. CEA 861 being developed to create a standard.



I have no problem with manufacturers making these displays available to those who may want them, in fact it's kinda cool. As long as they are kept to a premium line with 1 or 2 models from each company.
If CE companies are going to make them anyway, like Philips has been doing for a while now, then standard guidelines would be great. However, if they are going to push 21:9 as the next generation "standard" then they are making a big mistake imo...

Interesting. Not sure how I feel about the possibility of this becoming a new standard. I'm probably alone in my loathing of them refering to the ratio as 21:9, instead of the reduced 7:3. I get it, it's easier to compare it to 16:9 in your head. Still, I can't stand dumbing down things like this for people who don't understand ratios. In other words, they are catering to the lowest common denominator by failing to reduce by the highest common denominator.