A wide screen television apparatus comprises a video display (244) having a first format display ratio of width to height, for example approximately 16x9. A first video signal defines a first picture. A second video signal defines a second picture in a second format display ratio of width to height smaller than the first format display ratio, for example approximately 4x3. A video signal processor (301) asymmetrically compresses the second picture, for example 4:1 horizontally and 3:1 vertically. A video memory (420) stores lines of video of the asymmetrically compressed picture. Another video signal processor (300) combines portions of lines of video in the first video signal with the stored lines of video of the asymmetrically compressed picture for simultaneous display of the first and second pictures. The asymmetrically compressed second picture is displayed without aspect ratio distortion. The second picture can form an inset within the first picture. A single picture display can itself comprise a full screen of pictures from one source or from multiple sources.