The specs are for videophiles who have up to date AV set ups, which today includes a 16:9 wide aspect ratio HD TV, as opposed to the aspect ratio of SD TV which is 4:3.
4:3 is square like all older TVs, 16:9 is the wide aspect, rectangular image of all HDTVs.
TV programs used to be shot solely at 4:3 aspect ratio. Currently most new programs are being shot in the wide aspect 16:9 ratio.
When viewed on a 4:3 TV, the 16:9 aspect ratio produces the "black bars" on the bottom and top of the screen.
When a 4:3 aspect ratio signal is viewed on a 16:9 wide screen display, you see black bars on the right and left unless the display intentionally distorts the image by stretching it wide to use the whole screen.
So, 16:9 doesn't mean too much for people with older CRT SD TVs, just like HD sources don't mean anything to them since they can't display them.
Only matters to people with HD widescreen displays. And yes, to these people it makes a difference.
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