>Since I started this thread I should answer Carmen's request.  TV is
>shaped with a width to height ratio of 1:33 :1.  Most Hollywood films
>are released at 1.85 to one, though many directors keep the tv ratio
>in mind when framing their shots and blocking the action.  Films shot
>in 1.85 should be shown on tv in a letterbox format (with black strips
>at the top and bottom) so that the whole width of the image is preserved.
>Most rented tapes, films shown on tv shot for film, and some discs are
>not letterboxed.  You get a full screen but a large portion of the image
>is missing from the left and right sides. liz weis
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Some of the top and the bottom are usually lost as well.
--Richard Leskosky