Hi Aussie Bloke,

It is likely so as to contrast the quality of the old standard television sets with HD television sets. With HD the scan lines are thinner (I think 4 times the scanning lines)... almost totally unnoticable. The industry is trying to get you to say "forget this 4:3 ratio, I'm buying HD." OK, this kind of sounds like a conspiracy theory, but since my father used to work for Phillips, and called it "planned obsolesence" it is unfortunately true.

I have a Phillips 32 inch digital HD ready (I got it 3 years ago) but is 4:3 ratio and looks every bit as good as any older set I have seen. No scan lines visible.

BTW, HD is awesome.

Gabe