I bought a Toshiba 30" Widescreen (Model 30DF56 ) TV yesterday from Best Buy.

The problem is, even when the picture size is set on Natural, nothing will show up in Widescreen unless I manually change the picture size to Theater 1, 2, or Full. Even shows that are broadcast in WS, it shows as if it were a 4:3 ratio as there are black bars around the entire screen, and changing to theater or full cuts part of the picture off. Also, regardless of the broadcast ratio, any time the TV picture size is changed from Natural, the cable box menu (that tells the show name and info) is fairly distorted.

My question is: is this the TV, or the Comcast? I haven't found a setting in the Comcast Cable Box Menu about changing the aspect ratio, and the TV mentions nothing about it. Is there something I need to change for comcast to let the box know the tv is 16:9 now instead of 4:3?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is there something I need to change for comcast to let the box know the tv is 16:9 now instead of 4:3?

Probably yes. What's the make/model of your cable box?
You should be able to find info about setup on the forum. You have to:
a) connect the cable box to the TV using component, DVI or HDMI cable(s).
b) set the box for 16:9 (widescreen)
c) enable the box to output 1080i (or 720p if your TV accepts it) for HD.

a) connect the cable box to the TV using component, DVI or HDMI cable(s).
b) set the box for 16:9 (widescreen)
c) enable the box to output 1080i (or 720p if your TV accepts it) for HD.

Where would the comcast cable box model number be on the box?

a) How do I know which cable(s) (DVI, HDMI, component) is in the digital cable box? I used to have a 15 year old full screen round tube hooked up..
b) How do I go about doing this? I couldn't find it in the menu.
c) I have a 480, it's not HD or anything. Is that a problem?

Have you gotten a new box (HD) scince buying the TV? The model number should be on a lable on the bottom.

No, I don't have an HDTV, it's just a 30" widescreen flatscreen.

a) How do I know which cable(s) (DVI, HDMI, component) is in the digital cable box? I used to have a 15 year old full screen round tube hooked up..
b) How do I go about doing this? I couldn't find it in the menu.
c) I have a 480, it's not HD or anything. Is that a problem?

a) what does the video cable look like that's connected to the TV from the cable box?
Screw on coax?
composite (Yellow with RCA plug).
S-video (round with pins on the side)?
component (red, green, blue with each having an RCA plug)?
HDMI (looks like a USB connector)
DVI (looks like a large connector with a lot of round and rectangular pins on the inside).
b) once you can determine that... someone can provide setup options (it's probably a Motorola or Scientific Atlanta).
c) if you want to watch HD programming... yeah, it's a problem! :)

Your TV has a built in QAM (digital cable) tuner. Do you subscribe to digital cable? If not... your best option is to connect the cable from the wall directly into the RF input of the TV and perform a channel scan. You should at least get all of your local digital (HD) channels.

The cable that goes into the TV from the cable box looks like a screw.

I do have Comast Digital Cable. I don't have the HD channels, nor an HD box, as I don't have an HD TV. I'm simply trying to figure out why in natural mode, a widescreen broadcast is never shown as widescreen unless I manually change the picture size on the TV from natural to Theater 1.

I just tried a program from OnDemand that said it was widescreen, and even in natural mode, it did not show without the vertical and horizontal bars.

Again... your TV has a QAM tuner internally. So, if you plug directly from the wall to the TV (as suggested in my previous post), you will see the difference (even though your TV is not "HD"). You will probably be limited to HD locals with this type of connection. Humor me and try to see what I mean...

You have two options...
Use a splitter and run one line to the exiting cable box and one to the TV. You will have to switch inputs.

Get an HD capable cable box ( if you want VOD, channel guides, etc.)

That's the only way you will be able to take advantage of widescreen (and perhaps better picture quality).

Why would you ever waste $500 on a FAKE analog widescreen TV? That makes ZERO sense. RETURN the TV and spend your money on a REAL HDTV. There is no reason to be investing in an analog TV. You could get EXACTLY what you want in the same price range if you returned this set!

$400...
It's a "FAKE" digital widescreen TV.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1138084372830&type=product

Provide suggestions instead of your preaching from the pulpit.

Search the CRT forum and I'm sure you can come up with something. I'd buy a slightly used Sony 30 or 34XBR960 to get within the price range he seems to have. You CANNOT top that model. I have one and I have yet to see any technology provide a better picture then that set!

Let's check the basics. When you said "I couldn't find it in the menu", are you looking at the setup menu you get on-screen, like part of the TV guide, or the user menu at power off?

To access the STB setup menu: STB on, then hit "Power" off, then "Menu" on the remote within 5 seconds. You will then see a setup screen. Set your display settings there. Once your STB knows it's 16:9, THEN configure your TV for zooming, etc. That's how to do it.

Direct input to your RF tuner for widescreen content should be OK if your viewing is set to 16:9 on the display, e.g. natural or full.

what should 4:3 override be set to for a 1080p set?
mines showing 4:3 override 480i

According to my Moto DCT6200 manual (should be the same for all STB), set it to OFF. This will letterbox 4:3 (analog /SD) material so it looks correct on your widescreen display. As long as it's not a CRT, you don't have to worry about any burn-in problems. Applies to component or DVI output only.

4:3 Override (edited):
Selects the DVI or YPbPr (Component video) output format of the DCT* when it is tuned to 4:3 standard definition programs. Defaults to 480i.

Options are OFF, 480i or 480p. If the DVI/YPbPr Output is set to 480i, this setting becomes redundant and defaults to OFF. This setting provides the ability to specify how 4:3 pictures are to be displayed on your TV.

Selecting OFF will display regular TV programs that are 4:3 aspect ratio in widescreen format. If you have a widescreen TV, black bars will be placed on the left and right of the picture to fit your screen. Selecting OFF when you have a 4:3 TV Type may result in a small picture with black bars on all four sides of the screen.

Selecting 480i will transmit TV programs that are not high definition in their original 480i format.

I think what folks are missing here is that the OP has an SD STB. There is no menu to change.

Andrew, the Set Top Box (STB) that you have is made to work with 4:3 aspect ratio pictures. It can't output a 16:9 picture at all. When you tune in a WS picture it still outputs a 4:3 picture, that is why you see the pillar posts on the side. Also, the WS movie was encoded as a WS picture to be watched on a 4:3 screen, thus the letter box black on top and bottom.

To get any WS pictures, you will need to change to STB for a High Definition unit. Then go into the service menu and set it for a 16:9 picture, and output a 480I picture. Then when you tune an HD channel and it is in HD you will enjoy a WS picture.

The problem you have is the the TV set is straddling two technologies and not doing a good job with either.

I think what folks are missing here is that the OP has an SD STB. There is no menu to change.

Andrew, the Set Top Box (STB) that you have is made to work with 4:3 aspect ratio pictures. It can't output a 16:9 picture at all. When you tune in a WS picture it still outputs a 4:3 picture, that is why you see the pillar posts on the side. Also, the WS movie was encoded as a WS picture to be watched on a 4:3 screen, thus the letter box black on top and bottom.

To get any WS pictures, you will need to change to STB for a High Definition unit. Then go into the service menu and set it for a 16:9 picture, and output a 480I picture. Then when you tune an HD channel and it is in HD you will enjoy a WS picture.

The problem you have is the the TV set is straddling two technologies and not doing a good job with either.

I think we have a winner! This last statement hits the nail on the head!