What does Panel aspect ratio do?

[jtodd929]

Does Panel simply letterbox a 16:9 picture? and basically if you have a 16:9 TV (and don't need letterbox), then there is no use for Panel?

[RonDawg]

If you have a 4:3 TV, when watching widescreen programming it gives a choice between Full screen (people are tall and skinny), Panel (letterboxed), and Zoom.

For people with 16:9 TV's, I believe that for standard definition programming, Panel adds bars to the side while Full stretches the image.

[alansplace]

also note that the aspect button only functions when you are watching hd programming.
--
Alan :D

[pdhenry]

It also affects the display of JPEG images (on an S2, at least).

[alansplace]

i'm talking about the 'aspect' button on the peanut remote (newly labled 'aspect' on the S3 and TiVo HD remotes) located on the left side, 3d button down. it does nothing when i display a jpeg. maybe that button's not what the OP was asking about?
--
Alan :D

[pdhenry]

In my case there's a setting for TV aspect ratio at Messages & Settings / Settings / Video. If you accidentally set it to 16:9 with a 4:3 TV everything looks OK except for JPEGS (you may have to reboot for it to take effect, I'm not sure).

[alansplace]

yeah, that's what i figured you might be talking about. i'm mostly convinced that that's whet the OP was asking about as well!
--
Alan :D

[jtodd929]

I was wondering if Panel has any purpose for a 16:9 picture on a widescreen TV. It sounds like it doesn't. Panel is only for use by people watching a 16:9 picture on a 4:3 TV.

correct me if I'm wrong.

[RonDawg]

I was wondering if Panel has any purpose for a 16:9 picture on a widescreen TV. It sounds like it doesn't. Panel is only for use by people watching a 16:9 picture on a 4:3 TV.

When watching standard definition programming on a widescreen set, Panel adds bars to the side.