Widescreen Plasma Question

[Joe The Dude]

I've been shoping around for a Widescreen Plasma display and I have a few quick questions.
(A Screen Height of at least 1 foot is preferred)

Is there such a thing as a widescreen plasma display with a feature called something like "Auto-Detect Aspect-Ratio"?

I ask this because I would like to buy my sister a plasma display and mount it to her wall, so her and my niece will no longer have to watch the DVDs I send them on a 17" PC monitor.

Its sole purpose will be for playback of DVDs, so I'd be satisfied with a max resolution of 480p.

I'd like to get one that is simple to use; one where all she has to do is hit the play button on a DVD Player's remote, and the plasma screen will display the movie at the proper aspect ratio automaticaly, ie:
1) Automaticaly adding black bars to the left and right of a 4:3 movie.
2) Automatically filling the screen when the DVD is 16:9.
3) Automatically having small black bars at top and bottom when playing a movie that is widescreen, but smaller than 16:9.

I have yet to find such a display with that feature.

You see, unlike us (and her husband), my sister doesn't put a lot of importance into viewing things in the proper aspect ratio.

Because of this, I highly doubt she'd take the time to properly set up the display when her husband is at work and she pops in one of the many DVDs I send over there for my niece to watch.
I edit them for content and/or remove comercials.

While I don't mind my Sister's lack of interest in viewing movies in the proper aspect ratio (I've given up on changing her mind), when it comes to my niece, I feel differently.
I'd like for my niece to have the oppertunity to experience the DVDs I send her in the way they are meant to be seen, regardless of weather or not her father is present.
8)

[pbhalerao]

Most modern Plasma TVs start from 42" diagonal so they are more than 2" in height and they are almost always widescreen. You may be able to find some older plasma's in 4:3 but that will be a rarity.

Most plasma's that I have see adjust the aspect ratio automatically. But why don't you visit a store and check out for yourself. Better still go armed with a widescreen and 4:3 DVDs.

[SaSi]

With 3 different DVD players I have used, I have understood that the "auto-fit aspect ratio" is a function on the player itself.

Typically, you select the type of TV/Screen you are using and the player will compensate in the output for the aspect ratio of the screen.

So, if for example, you have a 4:3 TV but tell the DVD player you have a 16:9 TV, the player will output 16:9 material as is, showing them on the TV vertically stretched.

I know of some widescreen TVs function that enables a 16:9 aspect ratio on received signal, but I am almost certain this functionality has nothing to do with DVD playback.

[pbhalerao]

Sasi, what you say is partky true. When I was in UK last year, my rented apartment had a 30" widescreen TV. It used to adjust the aspect ratio automatically; even for TV broadcast. 4:3 TV's don't have this function and it is our job to set the correct aspect ratio on the player.

[edDV]

Joe The Dude needs to answer

1 $ budget

2 Is 42" too large? otherwise will a LCD do?

3 Is the prime goal to have the new TV and DVD player work out of the box with no setup? Well that is a show stopper if DVD progressive playback (480p) is the goal. You will need a Geek Squad for menu setup. And don't forget the progressive quality ($19 at Wal-Mart) component cable.

Once set up, the system will likely play properly unless power loss cancels setup preferences.

[Joe The Dude]

Joe The Dude needs to answer

1 $ budget

2 Is 42" too large? otherwise will a LCD do?

3 Is the prime goal to have the new TV and DVD player work out of the box with no setup? Well that is a show stopper if DVD progressive playback (480p) is the goal. You will need a Geek Squad for menu setup. And don't forget the progressive quality ($19 at Wal-Mart) component cable.

Once set up, the system will likely play properly unless power loss cancels setup preferences.

1) My Budget is $3,000 (USA)

2) 42" is perfect ^^. In this case I'm going with Plasma as my sister doesn't like LCDs at all. =X

3) The first setup will be done by me, and after a power-loss her husband can easily re-configure any settings that may be erased.
8)

I hadn't consitered having the DVD Player handle the aspect ratio corections automaticaly as mine only has the following settings:
A) 4:3 Letter Box
B) 4:3 Pan Scan
C) 16:9 / 4:3 Wide Mode

Are you saying that some DVD Players have a setting like the following?:
D) 16:9
And will not stretch a 4:3 image?
Looks like someone forgot to give me the memo!

(My bad)
:P

If that's the case All I'd have to do is get something like THIS for $1,694 and match it with a New DVD Player that has the example "Option D" as stated above, eh?

EDIT: I'd prefer one without an intergrated TV Tuner but it's not a deal-breaker

EDIT 2: Scratch that particular example.
I just recalled I couldn't find a wall mount that was specificaly designed for it.
That's a must, as her Homeowners Insurancy Policy won't cover replacing it if the wall mount fails (unless it specifically mentions it's for its particular make and model).
She has the same policy as me and I like to ask about stuff that costs over a couple hundred $ to replace.
$_$
Nice people, but complicated policy.

[edDV]

If you don't care about HDTV, then shop for a 42" EDTV plasma.

You will have to evaluate the menu structures in the store or download a manual.

Costco usually has very good deals and support.

At the low end, Best Buy's current ad has a Maxent 852x480 for $1499 after all the rebates. They also show a Panasonic and a Samsung for $2499.

Get a good progressive DVD player (name brand with cinema progressive modes) and a good component cable* then set player to 16:9 progressive. Set TV for progressive DVD input.

* get cable at Wal-Mart for $20. Best Buy will want to sell you a $70 cable.

[Joe The Dude]

* get cable at Wal-Mart for $20. Best Buy will want to sell you a $70 cable.

That is one of the many reasons I have been giving out Visa Gift Cards instead of (Insert any store name here) Gift Cards since 2 Christmas-es ago.
8)

But seriously, I'd like to thank you all for your insight and help in my time of need.

I've pocketed one 16:9 DVD-R, and one 4:3 DVD-R, and am all set to hit the stores this coming Wednesday.

[pbhalerao]

All the best.

I wish someone presented me with a 42" plasma ...

[sullen]

My local Wal-Mart sells two 42" plasmas, both ED. One is a Sanyo and the other is there no-name brand. The Sanyo was like $1900 and the other $1600. You can play with the controls in the store. They ditched the actual HDTV Sanyo plasma model from their instore display and went with ED. Now the only HDTVs on display are LCD, LCD projection or tube.