><<Can anybody suggest why so many recent television commercials are >being shot and shown in a letterbox format?>> Someone suggest it was because they were doing it to also use them in movie theatres or as a "warm-up" for HDTV. Most commercials are shot on film then transferred to video (for the editing I believe). And just because it's shot with that aspect ratio doesn't mean they have to keep it in that aspect ratio. Remember that most movies transferred to video are not in a letterboxed format. I think its just another trick in the bag to catch your eye or evoke some mood. Curtis _________________________ _____________________ Never Get Out of the Boat | [log in to unmask]