Philips creates cinema aspect-ratio HD TV

Roll out the red carpet

By James Sherwood • Get more from this author

16th January 2009 11:41 GMT

Film fanatics rejoice, because Philips has premiered the world’s first cinematically proportioned telly.

Philips' Cinema 21:9 TV

Many existing 52in HD TVs have a 16:9 aspect ratio, but Philips' similarly dimensioned movie monster has a 21:9 aspect ratio. This not only makes the screen look even more rectangular, but also ensures that films fill the entire screen without letterbox strips.

As a result, movies can be enjoyed “as the director intended”, Philips claimed. Everyday telly and games will can be stretched or cropped to ensure it always feels like you’re at the cinema - and, we hope, letterboxed.

The screen’s complemented by Philips' established Ambilight lighting system. This fixe three lights behind the telly – on the left- and right-hand sides and on top – to project ambient glows onto the rear wall.

Colours change according to what’s on screen. For example, an aura of red lights may appear during a gruesome murder, while a green glow would accompany actors walking through woods.

Eastenders and videogames are also displayed like films

It’s worth noting that Ambilight is a fairly old technology. Philips' newer edition of the technology, Aurea, which doesn’t feature on this model, adds the same lighting system into a TV’s frame.

Philips' Cinema 21:9 TV will be available in the UK this Spring, but its full specifications and price haven’t been announced yet. It doesn’t come with popcorn, though. ®