Samsung T151 and Black Sidebars work-around

rts I've got your solution, because I use it all the time.


Despite the fact that you have a 16:9 TV, set the SIR-T151 to operate with a 4:3 aspect ratio TV. Now the "ZOOM" mode on th 151 will work the way I believe you want it to, zooming the 4:3 center of the 16:9 image and lopping off the black bars. (for HDTV content this will just lop off the material outside the 4:3 area in the middle of the 16:9 frame) The "FULL" mode is the one you'll use for 16:9 encoded HDTV material.


On a 16:9 TV native mode this will give you a "stretched" looking picture. I would assume there is a mode on the TV to add grey bars and correctly display the feed as 4:3, or apply some kind of proprietary "stretch" mode.


The real practical difference you'll see is that on some material that is set up as 4:3 SD on subchannels, such as the "ABC NEWS NOW" programming, you won't be able to set up the 151 to generate the grey bars for a 16:9 TV and show the 4:3 material in the middle. If you try to zoom these subchannels you'll get a "FULL ONLY" message.


When set up as 4:3 the Sammy does indeed have a "HD Zoom" mode. I zoom HD football broadcasts in this manner, and they look absolutely fantastic on my 4:3 Infocus X1.


You're welcome.


P.S. What's wrong with watching the 4:3 stuff with the black bars on the side? You would rather use one of the hi-tech zoom modes on the TV?

Philip,


I don't know how to thank you if it works! Can't wait to go home and experiment this tonight ... To answer you P.S. questions:


What's wrong with watching the 4:3 stuff with the black bars on the side?

1. I feel like TV screen is being wasted

2. I have a Plasma which may get burn-in

3. I didn't pay twice for a bigger TV just so that I've a smaller image!


You would rather use one of the hi-tech zoom modes on the TV?

My TV .. (even though a brand new panasonic plasma model) does not allow zoom if input is 1080i .. I guess, very few do ...


Well, Thanks !

I suspected number 2 that you wanted to avoid burn-in. As for 1 and 3 I personally can't stand a distorted picture, but everyone has different priorities.


That's a shame but not a surprise that your TV won't do stretch modes on 1080 input!


My brother-in-law has a Panasonic ED plasma, and the zoom mode on his TV is really nice, it's less zoomed in the middle and more zoomed on the outside, it actually looks pretty good.


Good luck, I think this will work fine for you.


BTW, the output through the S-Video should work the way you want also, so you can probably use the hi-tek zoom modes on your plasma that way and you won't see the black bars.