This is a critical factor for my wife in selecting a new TV. She is less than satisfied with most stretching modes but wants to have the option of several being available for various types of viewing material.
Reading several reviews, it seems the majority of sets will only allow changing the aspect ratio for 480i sources, with no options for 480p and above. However, it appears the Hitachi 65XWX20B and the Sony GWII LCD both have modes available for both 480i and 480p, but not 720p or 1080i. Still, this is a big improvement, as it allows some degree of cropping options for 2.35:1 movies.
Even better would be a set that allowed adjustment of HDTV (720p and/or 1080i) signals so that 4:3 HDTV programming that is shot in a letterbox format for 4:3 does not get shown on my 16:9 TV with black bars on all four sides of the image.
From what I can gather, the Sammy HLM617W may be able to do this. Can anyone confirm?
Another key is the ability to save manual setup parameters either by input or by display mode. Some offer to save by input, others allow only saving by display mode (movies, sports, bright room, etc.). Really poor sets only allow a single, global setting to be saved.
I'm wondering how the new Panny 50LC13, Hitachi 50V500, Sony GWIII, and Sammy DLP sets fare in these regards. Since most web sites and salesmen don't have a clue about either subject, I'm interested to hear from owners on this forum, who are clearly the best-informed bunch of reviewers out there.
Thanks,
HDD
Reading several reviews, it seems the majority of sets will only allow changing the aspect ratio for 480i sources, with no options for 480p and above. However, it appears the Hitachi 65XWX20B and the Sony GWII LCD both have modes available for both 480i and 480p, but not 720p or 1080i. Still, this is a big improvement, as it allows some degree of cropping options for 2.35:1 movies.
Even better would be a set that allowed adjustment of HDTV (720p and/or 1080i) signals so that 4:3 HDTV programming that is shot in a letterbox format for 4:3 does not get shown on my 16:9 TV with black bars on all four sides of the image.
Another key is the ability to save manual setup parameters either by input or by display mode. Some offer to save by input, others allow only saving by display mode (movies, sports, bright room, etc.). Really poor sets only allow a single, global setting to be saved.
I'm wondering how the new Panny 50LC13, Hitachi 50V500, Sony GWIII, and Sammy DLP sets fare in these regards. Since most web sites and salesmen don't have a clue about either subject, I'm interested to hear from owners on this forum, who are clearly the best-informed bunch of reviewers out there.
Thanks,
HDD