[richard plumb]

I know they don't 'know' that the image is 2.35:1 - all the pixels are being sent, just a lot of them are black. But perhaps we could have a button which selects the aspect ratio of the movie being projected?

When watching a 2.35:1 movie for instance, the actual movie section could then be moved to the bottom of the image. For me, that would have two benefits

1) less craning of the neck at close viewing angles, so I can sit closer
2) easier to mask off the top of the projection screen to get rid of grey black bars.

[KelvinS1965]

With my AE2000 there is a work round I found: There is an electronic shift that doesn't perform any rescaling, but it allows the user to move the image up or down the screen. I found that this setting is remembered for each input resolution, so I set the 1080/24p setting up for 2.35:1 (as most BluRays seem to be 2.35:1) and the 1080/50p setting for 16:9 (for when I watch BBC HD via my HTPC). There might not be enough shift available to completely move the image to the bottom of the screen, but it goes most of the way in my setup.

With the newer AE3000 there is actually a proper lens memory that can set to store the zoom, electronic shift & focus settings for 3 aspect ratios.

[dun_buyin]

So basically you want what Panasonic have provided with the AE3000 if I understand the lens memory function correctly. I think it allows you to save the zoom and lens shift settings for different aspect ratios and you select the appropriate one. This would probably allow you to do what you want in a roundabout sort of way.

Edit - beaten to it by KelvinS!

[cyberheater]

My Sharp XV-Z3000 also allows image shift so you can move those 2:35 movies nearer to the bottom. Unfortunately, it doesn't move all the way and I wish it did.

[KelvinS1965]

Actually, thinking about the OP's original question, a lot of PJs have a manual lens shift that can be set easily to get the 2.35:1 image at the bottom of the screen, mostly LCD ones though. I went off on a tangent as I assume that everyone wants an electronic/remote control solution like I do.

Just be aware that a light coloured wall behind the screen will still be lit up by the bottom 'black' bar, so I attach a piece of black velvet to mine. It also gives a surface for any subtitles to appear on (surprising how readable they are even on a black 'screen').