I posted a few days ago in the DVD recorders section @ Record widescreen DVDs from SA8300HD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1158823), since I thought not being able to record widescreen dvd's was a problem with my Panny EZ28 dvd recorder... now I've learned that it's actually my 8300HD not able to output in stretch mode (480i), using the "#" button on the remote.
Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Is there a way to correct it?
My SA8300HD is running SARA v1.89.22.2.
ProTuber
07-01-09, 10:38 PM
I posted a few days ago in the DVD recorders section @ Record widescreen DVDs from SA8300HD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1158823), since I thought not being able to record widescreen dvd's was a problem with my Panny EZ28 dvd recorder... now I've learned that it's actually my 8300HD not able to output in stretch mode (480i), using the "#" button on the remote.
Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Is there a way to correct it?
My SA8300HD is running SARA v1.89.22.2.Yes, not all remotes for the 8300 are created equal. I have 3 converters (2 8300s and a non-DVR 3250HD) all using the same remote model number. With only one of my remotes did the "#" work to toggle the zoom modes. You can still stretch by pressing the "Settings" button and scroll up to the 'Picture Size" setting and then use the left/right arrows to select the desired mode.
Yes, not all remotes for the 8300 are created equal. I have 3 converters (2 8300s and a non-DVR 3250HD) all using the same remote model number. With only one of my remotes did the "#" work to toggle the zoom modes. You can still stretch by pressing the "Settings" button and scroll up to the 'Picture Size" setting and then use the left/right arrows to select the desired mode.
Thanks ProTuber!
I tested my 8300HD further today - I forgot to change the video in on my hdtv from HDMI (8300HD > hdtv) to component (8300HD > dvd recorder > hdtv), and after setting everything up (guide/info...480i standard, etc) and then pressing the # once on the remote (the "480i stretched" message appeared on screen), the HD channel video was stretched!
I went ahead and recorded the HD channel on my dvd recorder. Even though the video was stretched on my hdtv (8300HD > hdtv) thru HDMI, the video was not recorded in stretched mode (I popped out the disc, and played back on my computer... video was in letterbox (ie. black bars added to top & bottom to keep the widescreen aspect ratio):
http://i40.tinypic.com/2hdzlo7.jpg
When I switched the video input on the hdtv from HDMI to component (8300HD > dvd recorder > hdtv), the video was no longer stretched on the screen. I tried plugging in a small CRT tv to my dvd recorder, but the HD channel video still was not stretched.
Results of my testing is that the video stretches out on HDMI, but not thru component, composite, or s-video.
Today I actually replaced my 8300HD STB, as suggested by jjeff in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16735214#post16735214).
After getting the replacement 8300HD STB home, I went through the same setup and process as before, but I got the same result! :(
I cannot get a HD channel into stretch 480i mode, when using the VIDEO OUT2 on 2 8300HD STBs I've tried. This is all disappointing, as I was looking to record HD channels in widescreen using my Panny EZ28 DVD recorder.
I was hoping that someone may see this thread or my previous Record widescreen DVDs from SA8300HD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1158823) thread, and point out where I was going wrong in the setup.
This really sucks so far.
The easiest test for WS is to just run your composite or S-video cable directly to your TV(you don't need to actually record it or run it through your DVDR). Whatever your screen is seeing(from the same output that would feed your DVDR) is what your DVDR will record. If it's letterboxed that's what your EZ-28 will record. If it's squished 16:9 (which you should be able to stretch back with your HDTV) your EZ-28 will record that.
I've never had a SA8300 but I do record WS all the time from my Tivo HDs S-video output, it's the only way I would consider recording WS material, letterboxing stinks.
letterboxing stinks.
Much agreed! :)
When I say video is "stretched" I mean it's stretched vertically (as this is what I'm seeing when viewing the video thru HDMI). Talking about this another way... when the video is squished, it is squished horizontally.
Thanks jjeff... I will try your suggestion, and hopefully I'll have this all figured out.
Me setting up something wrong (or not following the instructions correctly) was always a possibility that I considered - that's why I turned to AVS Forum. It's been a great resource! :)
I don't think this comes into play recording from the line input but I do know that if you have the EZ-28 setup for a 4:3 TV (in it's FUNCTIONS, SETUP menus) it not only effects the DVDRs output but also how it records from a WS HD channel. If you set it up for 4:3 output it crops off the sides of a 16:9 recording, therefor IMO even if you only have a 4:3 TV now(but you expect to get a WS TV in the near future) I'd set that setting for 16:9.
Again I think this only effects recording from the tuner but it's one thing to check anyway.
I don't think this comes into play recording from the line input but I do know that if you have the EZ-28 setup for a 4:3 TV (in it's FUNCTIONS, SETUP menus) it not only effects the DVDRs output but also how it records from a WS HD channel. If you set it up for 4:3 output it crops off the sides of a 16:9 recording, therefor IMO even if you only have a 4:3 TV now(but you expect to get a WS TV in the near future) I'd set that setting for 16:9.
Again I think this only effects recording from the tuner but it's one thing to check anyway.
I tried many combinations... everything I tried won't get the 8300HD to output an HD channel in 480i stretch mode. I believe this is where the problem is - no vertically stretched (or horizontally squished) video. The EZ28 dvd recorder simply records HD channels in letterbox mode (adds bars on top & bottom, as shown in the screen capture image a couple of posts back).
I tried running the composite cable directly from 8300HD to the HDTV. The video remained (and remains) letterboxed - so that's what the EZ28 records.
I have my EZ28 setup for 16:9, even before I got my HDTV. I learned nearly a year ago that setting the EZ28 to 16:9 (even though I had just a 4x3 CRT tv) also directs the dvd recorder to record in widescreen mode. This worked perfectly for the 1 OTA HD channel available in my area at the time. The EZ28 setup for 4:3 would record in SD (standard def) mode.
I guess there's just no way around it now. The 8300HD refuses to send 480i stretched video out of the VIDEO OUTPUT 2. Sucks. But thanks jjeff for your insight on this.
Other settings, in case others are also reading, who might spot something or have another suggestion:
Panny EZ28
- set to 16:9 tv aspect (to record in widescreen mode)
SA 8300HD
- guide+info buttons: 4:3 SD mode, only 480i standard output
- in SETTINGS... set: picture format to 'fixed'
- press "#" once to get into 480i Stretch mode
The first 8300HD STB and my replacement 8300HD STB run SARA v1.89.22.2.
I found information posted by DoubleDAZ @ SA 8300 HD Tips & Tricks -- SARA (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859) very useful.
I'm going search through this thread later to see if there is any additional information/suggestions that will get the SA8300HD to output 480i stretched video out of OUTPUT 2 (which seems to be the problem I'm experiencing).