Plasma TVs can appropriately scale standard (4:3) TV program images to give you the most realistic image. There are several ways in which the Plasma monitor can scale incoming video signals to match the native 16:9 aspect ratio. The image can be shown on the Plasma in its original 4:3 format with either black or gray bars on the sides of the image. There is, however, some variation among the different plasma screens in how well this can be done to fit the widescreen monitor. Another option, which many consider to be the best of both worlds is stretching the image out from the center and enlarge the whole image to be larger than the screen size, and then cropping the edges. This scaling technique sounds quite complex, but it basically allows the majority of the image stretching to be located on the edges of the image this keeps the visual distortion of the image to a minimum.

There are several ways to show an incoming "standard" 4:3 picture (whether its source be from satellite, VCR, or cable TV). There are some plasmas which cope with the conversion better than others, so this might be a factor to consider before purchasing your Plasma television. First option is that the image can be displayed as is, having the black or grey bars appear on the sides. Or you can choose the "Zoom" mode which has the image fill the entire screen area while experiencing very little stretching or distortion. The one factor to be cautious of in choosing this mode is that too much of the picture around the edges can be cut off. This is a little touchy because it can cause pixilation which causes a jagged or grainy appearance.

Perhaps the best choice for converting a "standard" 4:3 TV signal is the mode called "Just" or "Full" (different plasma manufacturers have different names for this particular mode option). This option converts the 4:3 image using complicated and specifically engineered algorithms that best reduce the visible distortion by using a series of techniques: cropping little of the image and then moving any of the stretching to the outer edges of the image. where it will be less noticiable. If it's done well, you'll hardly notice any difference at all.