Denon 3910 4:3 picture streaching problem!

mtrx,

Due to industry pressure, DVD manufacturers avoid sending anything higher than 480p out of the analog video outputs (such as Component) because those connections offer no copy protection. 720p and 1080i resolutions will only issue from the digital video outputs (HDMI or DVI) on DVD players. Keep in mind that the data on the DVD itself is only 480i, so anything higher sent out by the DVD player is created algorithmically from that 480i data.


This is distinct from cable or satellite HDTV boxes which usually WILL allow the higher resolutions to go out their Component outputs. The industry is not thrilled with that, but there are so many HDTV sets with only Component inputs out there that the industry has to live with it since otherwise Component TV owners wouldn't see any gain from paying for HDTV.

--Bob

By the way, there *ARE* DVD players out there which will automatically switch what they send out to a wide screen TV according to whether the DVD is issuing data in conventional 4:3 or wide screen 16:9 format. They do this by putting "pillar boxes" on either side of the 4:3 image to flesh it out to wide screen.


This is most definitely "not a good thing" if the player is sending out a 480i or 480p signal to the wide screen TV because the pillar boxes take up too much of the available resolution leaving less for the 4:3 image in the middle of the screen. So typically you would only WANT this if you are using a digital connection from your DVD player and the DVD player is generating a 720P or 1080i signal upscaled from the 480i data which is on the DVD itself. The extra resolution in the generated, upscaled signal allows the DVD player to insert the pillar boxes without degrading the data coming off the DVD which sits snugly in between the boxes with plenty of leftover resolution.


For example, the Pioneer Elite 59avi does this out of the HDMI output in it's "HDMI 16:9 Compressed" mode. Using this setup, the 59avi automatically switches what it sends to a wide screen TV between normal 16:9 and pillar boxed 4:3 according to what's coming off the DVD, even changing scene by scene if necessary. But you'll be much happier using this if you only use it when the HDMI output is set to 720p or 1080i resolution. At 480i or 480p resolution the pillar boxed 4:3 images will be degraded due to the resolution consumed by the pillar boxes themselves.

--Bob

Bob, thanks for your reply, it was very helpful and educating Regarding players that automatically switch resolution there is SONY ES 999 model that does that for you, can tell it what to do with 4:30 add bars or stretch it. That player i guess is discontinued. Looks like SONY is going to come out with a replacement for this one that will have DVI and possible HDMI outputs. I will think DENON has the best PQ. I was really amazed with 3910 pic. The only confusion for me now is that I can't watch all the movies on DVI since Component sometimes provides a better pic.

So then that doesn't make sense. Should you have a better PQ if you are upconverting from 480i to 720p or 1080i?


Btw, I have several dvds that were captured in HD and it's says on the cover that this DVD is in HD. Does that mean that video on those dvds in 1080i? Didn't you mention that all dvds are in 480i?


thanks!