Re: "Meet Mr Lucifer" (film)
Television and human psychology make a strange mixture.
Decades ago, when higher definition standards than 525/625 lines were being first touted, the Japanese proposed a system called Hi-vision or MUSE (MUltiple Sub-nyquist Encoding) producing 1125 lines (1035 visible). Aspect ratio changed to 16:9.
A demo truck went touring, showing a prototype set. A video recorder had also been developed to provide a signal. The recorder and the set's electronics had not been miniaturised, so the large truck was essential.
Punters were shown the new picture. Joe public didn't really notice the improved resolution, and didn't care about it. He liked the 16:9 ratio of screen, though.
Punters asked if they'd need to get a new aerial.
The demonstrators assured the punters that no, their present one would be OK.
The demonstrators eventually noticed that the punters were, in general, disappointed by this!
The punters liked the 16:9 format because they could show it off to their friends and neighbours. They wanted the aerial to be different to show the street that they were posh enough to have the new type of TV set!
Improved pictures paled into insignificance against good old-fashioned snobbery.
New Scientist published a synopsis on the report of the trials that had me laughing in the library.
David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done
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