When viewing the cable box signal through the DR1F9H, the picture is squished with black bars top/bottom.

I went into the menu/setup but the "TV Aspect" setting is greyed out.

Shouldn't I be able to set this option?

Sounds like you have a 16:9 display? But it doesn't matter for this issue, I suspect your STB is sending you the signal with the letterboxing. DVD Recorders don't modify the incoming signal in that manner, only when playing back (from DVD for example) what it knows to be 16:9 material on a 4:3 display. This is a common mistake, to see a letterboxed picture from the STB through the recorder and blame the recorder.

As to why you can't change the TV Aspect Ratio setting on the recorder, I can't say. But changing that won't get rid of the letterboxing if I am correct. Something on the STB needs to be changed for that.

I guess it is just that I can't pass-through any HD signals. If the input is a SD signal then the image is not letterboxed. But any 720p or 1080i signals get letterboxed and stretched.

Even though I know I can't record a HD signal, I was hoping I could pass it through. Guess not, unless I'm missing something.

I guess it is just that I can't pass-through any HD signals. If the input is a SD signal then the image is not letterboxed. But any 720p or 1080i signals get letterboxed and stretched.

Even though I know I can't record a HD signal, I was hoping I could pass it through. Guess not, unless I'm missing something.

What cable box are you using? What output (component, s-video?)? Different STBs handle the hidef output options differently...

But any 720p or 1080i signals get letterboxed and stretched.By the cable box, not by the recorder.

An SD signal will pass through a recorder. An HD signal will not, you won't see anything. If you are seeing a letterboxed signal coming through the recorder, then it is receiving an SD signal (480i), which has been letterboxed by the cable box prior to being received by the recorder.

I'm guessing you're using S-Video from cable box to recorder, or perhaps Composite Video (yellow RCA).

Even though I know I can't record a HD signal, I was hoping I could pass it through. Guess not, unless I'm missing something.

Some DVD recorders have the ability to pass through hidef signals when the recorder is turned off (this works with my Polaroid). But Bobkart is correct, when the unit is turned on it will choke on anything higher than 480i.

Some cable boxes, however, will still output a widescreen SD signal when set to 480i... some SA boxes do this over the component out, and I think (anyone confirm?) that at least one motorola DVR will. It's not hidef, but it will get anamorphic widescreen to your recorder (at 480i).

I have the exact same problem. I have the DR1F9H and the SA 8300HD. Does anyone know what setting in the 8300 needs to be changed in order not get the letterbox?

I have the exact same problem. I have the DR1F9H and the SA 8300HD. Does anyone know what setting in the 8300 needs to be changed in order not get the letterbox?

The SA8300HD will only output 480i widescreen via component. If your recorder does not have component inputs it is a no can do. There are external devices that can handle the conversion from component to s-video which should allow you to record wide screen (via s-video inputs on your recorder). But there is no setting on the SA8300HD which will do it.

I posted this a couple days ago as a possible work around:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=761474

Another info thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=760599

By the cable box, not by the recorder.

An SD signal will pass through a recorder. An HD signal will not, you won't see anything. If you are seeing a letterboxed signal coming through the recorder, then it is receiving an SD signal (480i), which has been letterboxed by the cable box prior to being received by the recorder.

I'm guessing you're using S-Video from cable box to recorder, or perhaps Composite Video (yellow RCA).
I do not totally agree with this, I have three Cable boxes, all the same brand and model and they all pass a 16:9 signal from the HD channels through my Sony DVD Recorders, the signal is no doubt down converted to 480i but it is still 16:9 (no letterboxing) and can be recorded as such or viewed through the Sony DVD Recorder. I haven't tried it with my Panasonics yet because ( I understand 16:9 recording is a moot point, will not record the 16:9 Flag on it's own like the Sonys) I use them for my weekly 4:3 recording .... I can tell you for sure that some cable boxes do pass this signal as is and some DVD Recorders do not strip or stop signal from these boxes and they recorders will recieve and record 16:9 through the Composite or SVideo inputs from the cable box. In fact , recordings made for the HD channels are alot nicer because the source is higher res.... and cleaner. By the way, they are PACE HD cable boxes made by Scientific Atlanta.

I do not totally agree with this, I have three Cable boxes, all the same brand and model and they all pass a 16:9 signal from the HD channels through my Sony DVD Recorders, the signal is no doubt down converted to 480i but it is still 16:9 (no letterboxing) and can be recorded as such or viewed through the Sony DVD Recorder. I haven't tried it with my Panasonics yet because ( I understand 16:9 recording is a moot point, will not record the 16:9 Flag on it's own like the Sonys) I use them for my weekly 4:3 recording .... I can tell you for sure that some cable boxes do pass this signal as is and some DVD Recorders do not strip or stop signal from these boxes and they recorders will recieve and record 16:9 through the Composite or SVideo inputs from the cable box. In fact , recordings made for the HD channels are alot nicer because the source is higher res.... and cleaner. By the way, they are PACE HD cable boxes made by Scientific Atlanta.

But only SD channels. That's no problem. The problem seems to be with the HD channels. With the SA8300HD STB when viewing HD channels at 480i using s-video there is artificial letterboxing. What model STB do you have?

edit - are you getting your results via s-video or component?

But only SD channels. That's no problem. The problem seems to be with the HD channels. With the SA8300HD STB when viewing HD channels at 480i using s-video there is artificial letterboxing. What model STB do you have?

edit - are you getting your results via s-video or component?
Nope, That is with all SD and HD they come through as they would to the TV , NO letterboxing. IT is set for a 16:9 TV ... They 4:3 aspect ratio comes through as clean 4:3 and 16:9 clean , no letterboxing. I have seen what you are talking about but that was on an SA 3250 HD box. All Cable boxes are NOT created Equal.
I record HD programming regularly and it is fine. Just as viewed.

Nope, That is with all SD and HD they come through as they would to the TV , NO letterboxing. IT is set for a 16:9 TV ... They 4:3 aspect ratio comes through as clean 4:3 and 16:9 clean , no letterboxing. I have seen what you are talking about but that was on an SA 3250 HD box. All Cable boxes are NOT created Equal.
I record HD programming regularly and it is fine. Just as viewed.

Via component or s-video? Which STB? As was posted in the past "it's all about the source". I know some STB's do send full wide screen via s-video. I'd like to find out which ones.

Okay - I just reread the thread. Pace made by Scientific Atlanta. Never heard of it. Is it new? What is the model number of the box? I think it would be an easy fix for Scientific Atlanta to make full wide screen via s-video on all boxes. Mine does not which requires component for full wide screen as a result.

All of this really has nothing to do with the DVD recorder. Again it's "all about the source".

Here's something on Pace:

http://broadcastengineering.com/news/broadcasting_time_warner_cable_3/index.html

It does not appear that it is a Scientific Atlanta product. I know TWC in my area does not use them. Looks pretty good though.

More on Pace HD box:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/04/12/pace-tahoe-set-top-works-as-dual-hd-tuner-dvr-and-cable-modem

Here's more on Pace that mentions both Scientific Atlanta and Motorola:

http://digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=platforms&id=3723

Not sure what the connection is but it looks like Pace is trying to increase its supply to the US cable market.

The Vegas box mentioned in the link is SD though. Not HD.

Here's something on Pace:

http://broadcastengineering.com/news/broadcasting_time_warner_cable_3/index.html

It does not appear that it is a Scientific Atlanta product. I know TWC in my area does not use them. Looks pretty good though.

More on Pace HD box:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/04/12/pace-tahoe-set-top-works-as-dual-hd-tuner-dvr-and-cable-modem
That's the Box. Pace DC-550 HD On the back it says Scientic Atlanta....
Also lists Pace and Scientific Atlanta as the Same remote code used. 0008
Actually this is the current model of it...
The Pace DC551 Laguna

That's the Box. Pace DC-550 HD On the back it says Scientic Atlanta....
Also lists Pace and Scientific Atlanta as the Same remote code used. 0008
Actually this is the current model of it...
The Pace DC551 Laguna

Great well that's one then. I'm sure there are more but my SA8300HD isn't one of them. How do the recorded wide screen DVD's play on a 4x3 screen? Are they letterboxed?

Yes, they are letterboxed but that is becuse my Sonys put hte 16:9 Flag on. I tried it with a Pioneer and it recorded the 16:9 but did not play letterboxed on a 4:3. Using the sony and setting it to 16:9 for record, it will play either letterboxed or pan and Scan depeding on how you have your player set. from the Pioneer I have to record the 16:9 content and then copy to PC and use infoedit to add the 16:9 flag.

Ok then this means that the Pace box isn't sending the flag. I do the same with my Toshiba's. Toshiba can set the flag like the Sony.

I think everybody ought to start calling their cableco and demanding that they program the boxes to send 480i wide screen via s-video. As more people move to 16x9 displays there will be more and more unhappy people. I fixed my problem by using a recorder with component inputs but this is not common on most DVD recorders.

Pace made by Scientific Atlanta.

Pace is an independent company based in the UK. They make boxes for S/A, Motorola and OCAP networks. Pace may licence some S/A technology but they are independent and design their own boxes. They can not make DVR’s for the S/A network. They also make the new HR20 for DirecTV.
http://www.pacemicro.com/americas/home/index.asp

just got a new digital Toshiba TV as well as a new PACE DC551 Laguna with HDMI I am using the connection for both audio and video the problem is the box after turning it off and then back on will not carry the pcm audio to the TV I know this because the TV will tell when the PCM audio thru the HDMI is enabled When I reset the box it works again other than getting a new box is there any solution

thanks
JP