ONCE again people are being enforced to accept the dictates of the technological whizz-kids - this time, regarding the shape of their TV screens (Letters, February 15).

It has been decided that in the near future, all screens are to be oblong, like a letter box slot.

Why is this - after 100 years of the average "2 x 3" rectangular Cinema screen having been accepted with no problems?

It is unacceptable that the public will have no choice as they do in at present, whether they want to view through a letter box or not.

The novelty gimmick of Cinemascope screens were introduced to cinemas during the 1950s as the thing of the future, but fizzled out.

Now, the elongated reduced format is called "wide screen" as with TV.

Regrettably, these new screens do not adjust satisfactorily or sufficiently enough to accommodate the rectangle of the golden age of cinema classics such as "Casablanca", etc, which evidently qualify for repeat reruns on TV and in the cinema today.

Similarly, vinyl records have been phased out recently - everything is now on CD or tape - no choice.

But, hearteningly, I hear that the new discs are vulnerable to cracking and are not as durable with age as vinyl.

J MARSDEN, Scarborough Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.