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WASHINGTON - A group representing hundreds of filmmakers sent a letter to Federal Trade Commissioner Susan Ness objecting to an agreement in principle on a broadcast standard for a new generation of high-definition digital TV.
The Coalition of Film Makers said it was dismayed the accord did not provide for transmission in the digital world of the original aspect ratio of motion pictures.
Hollywood directors, actors and cinematographers have complained the proposed wider screen size would mangle images in wide-screen films.
"We urge you not to approve these agreements until the relatively simple and enormously important principles of integrity ... are addressed in terms that require the transmission to the audience, of the original aspect ratio of any motion picture," the coalition said.
The accord by the computer, broadcast and consumer electronics industries was aimed at allowing the Federal Communications Commission to complete by year's end a government-prescribed standard for advanced digital TV, which offers cinema-quality pictures and CD-quality sound.
TV manufacturers hope to begin bringing digital-TV receivers to market in 1998.
A statement listing the names of nearly 500 filmmakers was attached to the letter.
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