[rts]

For those of you who use OTA receivers .. how do you deal with the black strips on channels like NBC etc. The black sidebars seem to be integrated with the SD programs in digital. Unlike the grey bars created by the HD receiver, .... neither the receiver not the TV can eliminate them since the transmission tricks them into thinking that they are part of the picture.


This not only prevents one from using the full screen of our widescreen .. but may also cause burn-in on the plasma .. Do you have any tricks to overcome this that you want to share?


Thanks!

 

[JuiceRocket]

I don't use an OTA receiver, so I'm not sure I can help, but I do know on our cable box that only the HD "side" of the channel has the forced sidebars. For example, channel 5 - ABC SD has un-locked sidebars, I can use all of my aspect ratios to change it to fit the screen. However, if I turn to 805 - ABC HD, the sidebars are now locked, and I can't use my aspect controls.


I just watch the SD channel for SD shows, and HD channel for HD shows. Again, I'm not sure if this is different for you, since I'm using cable and you're using an OTA receiver, but hey, I'm trying to help.


-JR

 

[rts]

JuiceRocket .. your help is much appreciated. So I guess .. after reading through many posts, I have come to the following conclusion:


- SOME 4:3 SD SHOWS ARE BROADCASTED AS 'UPCONVERTED' HD SHOWS IN 16:9 RATIO. IN THIS CASE, THEY HAVE BLACK SIDE BARDS WHICH ARE PART OF THE PICTURE. THESE FORCED SIDEBARS LOCK THE ASPECT RATIO AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE IT (ATLEAST IN PANASONIC 7U).


- THIS SUCKS .. AND THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO WATCH SUCH BROADCASTS THROUGH SD EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE AS CLEAR AS UPCONVERTED DIGITAL ONES.


- IF YOU CONTINUE TO WATCH THESE PSEUDO HD PROGRAMS .. YOU ARE DOOMED TO BURN-IN


I hope somebody has a trick to bypass this limitation!

 

[rmcgirr83]

Most STB's allow you to zoom the image, maybe even stretch it. At least my 6000u and 811 from E* do.

 

[JuiceRocket]

Quote:

Originally posted by rts - SOME 4:3 SD SHOWS ARE BROADCASTED AS 'UPCONVERTED' HD SHOWS IN 16:9 RATIO. IN THIS CASE, THEY HAVE BLACK SIDE BARDS WHICH ARE PART OF THE PICTURE. THESE FORCED SIDEBARS LOCK THE ASPECT RATIO AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE IT (ATLEAST IN PANASONIC 7U).

All 4:3 shows are broadcasted on their HD counterpart channel, at least through Comcast. Any SD channel that also has HD content has a 2nd HD channel. The aspect lock has nothing to do with your TV, it has to do with your STB. Which is why it appears Rich can zoom on HD channels, while I cannot.

Quote:

- THIS SUCKS .. AND THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO WATCH SUCH BROADCASTS THROUGH SD EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE AS CLEAR AS UPCONVERTED DIGITAL ONES.

Pretty much. Sadly the SD does look cleaner on their HD channels, which is a shame. I just watch the SD show on the SD channel using JUST or ZOOM mode, depending on the PQ of that particular channel or the content.

Quote:

- IF YOU CONTINUE TO WATCH THESE PSEUDO HD PROGRAMS .. YOU ARE DOOMED TO BURN-IN

Not really. With your contrast and brightness turned down from the factory settings, and mixing up your 4:3 and 16:9 viewing, you shouldn't have a problem. I've watched 4-6 hours of 2:35:1 movies, and at least a couple hours of 4:3 with sidebars viewing, and have never had any hit of burn-in.


Check the Master Burn-In Thread for more information.


-JR

 

[sleeks]

It all depends on your STB.


My Hughes E-86 does not allow me to change the aspect ratio of a "HD" channel. Thus, I have to deal with black or grey or ESPN HD sidebars depending on the channel.


My local CBS does grey, NBC black, ABC stretches everything to 16:9 and ESPN has their own deal of course.


Some STB's allow you to change aspect ratios of HD channels.