I'm trying to save my SA Explorer 8300HDC recordings to a Toshiba D-R400.
The image always is stretched when processed through the dvd recorder. I played with all the dvr output settings and recorder options; but have yet to find a way to fix this problem. Best I came up with is to record it the way it's displayed and use the zoom image setting on the my hdtv. Using the composite a/v outputs/inputs between the dvr & dvd recorder. Then using hdmi between dvd recorder & the hdtv.

... Then using hdmi between dvd recorder & the hdtv.

That might be your problem. With my TV and recorder (Philips 3575H) I only get wide screen display with the HDMI connection. So shows recorded in 4:3 aspect ratio are stretched.

Unless your TV has a Normal (4:3) setting when using the HDMI connection try using another connection into the TV and make sure the TV setting is set for Normal (not widescreen).

There are so many aspect ratio settings and modes now on both TV and recorder and PVR that can cause so much confusing.

That might be your problem. With my TV and recorder (Philips 3575H) I only get wide screen display with the HDMI connection. So shows recorded in 4:3 aspect ratio are stretched.
Funny, with my 3575, I get natural widescreen from a digital channel with composite and HDMI, connection makes no diff.

When you say "shows recorded in 4:3 aspect," are you talking about recording analog (4:3) channels, or recorded with the 3575's Video > TV Aspect setting on 4:3 Letter Box?

Funny, with my 3575, I get natural widescreen from a digital channel with composite and HDMI, connection makes no diff.

When you say "shows recorded in 4:3 aspect," are you talking about recording analog (4:3) channels, or recorded with the 3575's Video > TV Aspect setting on 4:3 Letter Box?

I am talking about shows recorded that start out 4:3 from analog channels. After recording them and then playing back with HDMI connection they only play strectched because my tv (VIZIO, don't know about others) only has a widescreen mode along with a zoom mode with HDMI input so the natural 4:3 programs only play streched. But with another input, like component, I have a "normal" mode setting on the TV that display 4:3 shows correctly. Which sounds like the above posters problem if other aspect settings are correct with Box/DVDR/TV.

I am talking about shows recorded that start out 4:3 from analog channels. After recording them and then playing back with HDMI connection they only play strectched because my tv (VIZIO, don't know about others) only has a widescreen mode along with a zoom mode with HDMI input so the natural 4:3 programs only play streched. But with another input, like component, I have a "normal" mode setting on the TV that display 4:3 shows correctly. Which sounds like the above posters problem if other aspect settings are correct with Box/DVDR/TV.
I've got a Vizio GV47L 47" 1080p LCD and have Normal, Panoramic, Zoom and Wide settings for analog channels via HDMI. What model do you have... seems odd to only have Wide and Zoom.

I've got a Vizio GV47L 47" 1080p LCD and have Normal, Panoramic, Zoom and Wide settings for analog channels via HDMI. What model do you have... seems odd to only have Wide and Zoom.

Have a 32" 720p (768 really) model, and no normal mode with HDMI input.