the dvd will be stretched so all the people are really flat i would get a wide screen since many dvds are pan & scan now it will just do the 'this has been formated to fit your tv" on your own dvd player and the origanil will be on the dvd still... the only time i wouldnt get widescreen is if the ratio was over 2:1 and didnt have pan & scan on a full screen tv so check the backs of the dvd befor you buy it