4:3 mode with black bars for SD can lead to IR or BI, right? So an excellent panorama-type stretch mode seems pretty important for a plasma panel. Fat heads are an Achilles heel IMHO. It's tough to test this at BB and CC with their limited feeds, but it's clear many brands stretch SD poorly; listening Samsung? [excuse that editorial] Pioneer, Phillips, and HP appear to do a good job, but again, I can't be sure. So which panels do this the best?

NEC and Pioneer. Of course, you will pay a premium for the better ability. After that, any panel with something equivalent to a "just" mode, where the middle of the picture is stretched less than the sides, is OK. Can't speak for the other brands, but my Panny does a halfway decent job.

NEC and Pioneer...After that, any panel with something equivalent to a "just" mode,....

Thanks! I guess part of my newbie problem is figuring out which panels support a decent "just" mode. There seems to be little consistency in the labels used for aspect ratio settings from brand to brand. So I'm hoping for some real world feedback.

I'm still (after over three months) blown away at how good SD analog looks on my Pio 5070. I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. Well, maybe I would opt for the 6070 as the 50-incher seems to be "shrinking." ;)

I'm still (after over three months) blown away at how good SD analog looks on my Pio 5070. I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. Well, maybe I would opt for the 6070 as the 50-incher seems to be "shrinking." ;)

I second every word of this post. My next panel is going to be a 6070 and move the 5070 to the bedroom.

Yeah, I'm thinking of a 4270 for the bedroom... currently have a 50" NEC in the bedroom, wife hates it. Think I may move it to the living room.

My vote....NEC 50XR6A. Great SD and the best zoom/stretch feature you can get INMHO.

4:3 mode with black bars for SD can lead to IR or BI, right? So an excellent panorama-type stretch mode seems pretty important for a plasma panel. Fat heads are an Achilles heel IMHO. It's tough to test this at BB and CC with their limited feeds, but it's clear many brands stretch SD poorly; listening Samsung? [excuse that editorial] Pioneer, Phillips, and HP appear to do a good job, but again, I can't be sure. So which panels do this the best? . . . .

. . . . I guess part of my newbie problem is figuring out which panels support a decent "just" mode. There seems to be little consistency in the labels used for aspect ratio settings from brand to brand. So I'm hoping for some real world feedback.I have no experience with NEC or Fujitsu SD stretch modes nor have i seen any screen shots, but everybody says they're among the best. If you can come up with screen shots for these two brands you can make your own determinations. I would like to see them myself as i've seen all the other brands' stretch modes.

Being a big SD watcher, i like the Pioneer Consumer model's Cinema mode the best of all the other brands' stretch modes that i have seen. It seems to be the least "un-natural" looking.

Here are a couple good threads with info on the Pioneer Consumer model SD Stretch Modes:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=712271&highlight=cinema+wide+just

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=802560&highlight=cinema+wide+just


And One on Panasonic's two different Just modes (Industrial vs Consumer):

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=578661&highlight=just+mode

The NEC has a zoom + and - button on the remote. Every time you press it, it enlarges (zooms) the picture (in all directions) an 1/8 of an inch or maybe a little more every time you press it-thus keeping the proportion constant. I have to practice taking screen shots then I will post some....got a new NIKON D80 on the way.

Yeah, I'm thinking of a 4270 for the bedroom... currently have a 50" NEC in the bedroom, wife hates it. Think I may move it to the living room.

Bah your supposed to upgrade screen size, not downgrade! Tell her you think you need an 8th gen 60" for the bedroom ;) !

4:3 mode with black bars for SD can lead to IR or BI, right? So an excellent panorama-type stretch mode seems pretty important for a plasma panel. Fat heads are an Achilles heel IMHO. It's tough to test this at BB and CC with their limited feeds, but it's clear many brands stretch SD poorly; listening Samsung? [excuse that editorial] Pioneer, Phillips, and HP appear to do a good job, but again, I can't be sure. So which panels do this the best?

As others have said, Pioneer and NEC are probably the best two for handling SD content...wonderful processors on those TV's.