Wide-screen production engineering-an overview from source to display

The paper reviews the history and current status of wide-screen systems in the broadcast industry noting that the current trends are towards enhanced systems based on conventional 625 and 525 line standards. The European situation is examined more closely from source to display. Topics covered are the production standard, studio equipment with particular consideration given to artistic composition and dual aspect ratio working, and the current decisions for sub-titling. The various options are examined for contribution and distribution noting the wide range of scenarios from single play-out and transmission to the complex national network with regional contributions and variations. Wide-screen transmission and the home receiver are reviewed from the broadcast standpoint.