Is it advisable to go with WIDESCREEN as opposed to conventional 4:3 bigscreen?

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I'm hoping for some sage advice. I was placed in charge of looking into and ordering a bigscreen rear projection TV for my father-in-law. He is eyeing a SONY 51" HDTV-capable Digital Hi-Scan 16:9 Widescreen stereo TV, mainly Model KP51WS510. He knows nothing about these things, and I am not much more knowledgable. He NEVER rents DVD's or videos, and ONLY watches cable and network TV!!!! Does he even need widescreen, or should he go with a 4:3 square screen? If he is still adamant about the 16:9 widescreen, is it true that this TV will stretch a conventional 4:3 cable or network TV picture, and transform it to widescreen? Or will there be bars to the left and right? Also, is it true that when these TV's 'stretch' the 4:3 cable/broadcast TV signals, the picture looks unatural? Or is the conversion 'normal looking' to the eye? The man watches a LOT of old westerns, and I am afraid John Wayne may look like David Blaine (after the fasting stunt, of course)!!! Any info on the above topics would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks a lot in advance!!!

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Topic - Is it advisable to go with WIDESCREEN as opposed to conventional 4:3 bigscreen? - 6 meters DX 16:42:04 11/16/03 (4)

Thanks for comments! Went with a HITACHI widescreen! - 6 meters DX 11:14:41 11/17/03 (0)

What will he think when HDTV is standard in a few years? - Doug Otte 08:55:53 11/17/03 (0)

Take him to the store. - Joe Murphy Jr 18:07:01 11/16/03 (0)

Re: Is it advisable to go with WIDESCREEN as opposed to conventional 4:3 bigscreen? - rico 17:40:12 11/16/03 (0)

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