When I watch TNT in HD versus INHD I notice a difference in the PQ and the picture on TNT can seem stretched at times, depending on the program. How does this work ?

Is this because TNT is doing something equivalent to upconverting for programs that weren't filmed at HD resolutions ?

Second question is why doesn't the Versus/Golf channel do the same thing ? Is the equipment non standard or just too expensive for some stations to afford ?

TNT stretches all non HD content on TNT HD. Do a search for TNT stretch o vision. Other channels don't do it because most think it looks horrible.

It's not the network's fault most of the time--some shows just don't have an HD master available to TNT (Angel, The X Files, Charmed, etc)
To avoid pillarbars that TNT has deemed too annoying to the consumer, they stretch out the original picture to fill the screen. This helps give some consistency to the broadcast, as well. I don't find the stretching that bad, because, I'll admit, the pillarbars do get annoying when you're watching 4:3 content for 1-2 hours at a time, and, after a couple minutes, your eyes seem to get used to the shape and the stretching is barely noticible.

It's not the network's fault most of the time--some shows just don't have an HD master available to TNT (Angel, The X Files, Charmed, etc)
To avoid pillarbars that TNT has deemed too annoying to the consumer, they stretch out the original picture to fill the screen. This helps give some consistency to the broadcast, as well. I don't find the stretching that bad, because, I'll admit, the pillarbars do get annoying when you're watching 4:3 content for 1-2 hours at a time, and, after a couple minutes, your eyes seem to get used to the shape and the stretching is barely noticible.

What a load of Bollocks

The only reason I watch TNT- H D is The Closer, and NASCAR. Those just happen to not be stretched. If it ain't OAR, i'm passin'.

I don't find the stretching that bad, because, I'll admit, the pillarbars do get annoying when you're watching 4:3 content for 1-2 hours at a time, and, after a couple minutes, your eyes seem to get used to the shape and the stretching is barely noticible.


Say no to stretch. TV's have their own stretch option, don't force me to watch it that way.

Thanks for the input gents.