To support development of the next-generation of widescreen digital television, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today launched new standards activity to support wider, 21:9 aspect ratio television screens.

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.

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," said 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, contact Dave Wilson at dwilson@CE.org.