4:3 image size on a widescreen tv

[bigshotceo]

Here's my question: I'm considering buying a widescreen hdtv-compatible tv. Unfortunately, a lot of my media library is 4:3 material, and I have no interest in stretching it to fit a wider screen. On an average 42 inch widescreen tv, how big in inches would non-streched 4:3 material be? I don't want to spend over $1000 to end up with a tv that'll show video smaller than my 27 inch 4:3 tube tv...

[willy]

Based on my rough calculation, the height of a 42" 16:9 TV should be 20.6" and 27" (assuming you get the full 27" viewing area) 4:3 TV should be 16.2".

So if you watch non-stretched 4:3 video on a 42" 16:9, the image should have the dimension of 27.5" x 20.6" (compared to your current 21.6" x 16.2"). Therefore, in terms of image viewing area, it should be ~ 62% larger (27% increase in both wide and height). Please feel free to correct ...

One thing tho .... It may not be wise to watch non-stretched 4:3 mode on a 16:9 TV for extended period of time.

Although it might sound odd, there are quite a few good deals on the 'low-tech' 30"+ CRT TVs as the companies and stores are phasing them out ... 34" 4:3 will give you the same image viewing area of a 42" 16:9 in 4:3 mode ...

For example, this was one of the deals ... http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486507

[Aske001]

It's simple high-school math to work it out yourself, but roughly speaking the 4:3 picture on a 37" wide-screen TV is slightly smaller than a 27" conventional TV, while a 40" or 42" wide-screen TV would be slightly bigger.

But there's a couple of things you should consider:

1. The picture quality on a good HDTV is vastly superior to a conventional TV in some ways, particularly if you have a good digital source like digital cable or satellite, or DVD (standard def, not even high-def). You won't want to go back.

2. You may think that you aren't interested in watching a stretched picture, but in fact many wide-screen TVs have excellent non-linear stretch modes that look quite natural.

[dmxlite]

...On an average 42 inch widescreen tv, how big in inches would non-streched 4:3 material be?...

35 inches
you can use the calculator on this site:
http://cnet.nytimes.com/4520-7874_1-5108580-4.html