[helpermonkey]

Hey gang, Just got my 8000HD this weekend, and I've got a question

about aspect ratio and hi-def channels. Might only apply to NYC'ers.


I was a little surprised that the aspect ratio controls on my plasma

monitor are totally overridden by the cable box. I was able to use

the 8000HD setting menu to set it for 16:9 and tell it to stretch

4:3 SD content. So far, so good.


But, on the Time Warner NYC HD channels, a lot of the programming is

shown in 4:3, and the cable box does not strech it, or even allow me

to change the aspect ratio thorugh the settings menu. It's displayed

with sidebars instead. Is there any way to force the 8000HD to

stretch 4:3 HD content?


Is just just how these boxes work? Or am I missing something?


Thanks in advance.

 

[bfdtv]

Quote:

Is there any way to force the 8000HD to stretch 4:3 HD content?

No. The bars on 4:3 programming on the HD channels is added by the content provider, not the SA8000HD. The SA8000HD (nor any other box) has the means to differentiate HDTV from the SD upconverted on the HD channels.


In order to stretch 4:3 content upconverted on the HD channels, you would have to crop the sides off the widescreen image. I believe some DirecTV boxes give you an aspect mode (accessible by remote) that will let you crop the sides off the widescreen picture to stretch the middle, but no cable box currently offers this functionality.

 

[dt_dc]

Quote:

Originally posted by bfdtv I believe some DirecTV boxes give you an aspect mode (accessible by remote) that will let you crop the sides off the widescreen picture to stretch the middle, but no cable box currently offers this functionality.

8000HDs with SARA allow you to stretch/zoom HD content. Stretch makes people short and fat ... Zoom chops off the top/bottom ... there's no 'non-linear' zoom like most manufacturers include ... but the capability is there. Hit the # button.


Not sure about Passport though, which I think is what TW NYC uses.

 

[helpermonkey]

Exactly -- it seems to be a Passport issue. Hitting # cycles though the different choices on SD channels, but on HD channels, it just says something to the effect of, "The image is already formatted for your TV screen."

 

[kasey]

I just bought a Sony KV-34HS420 this past weekend and I have the SA 8000HD box as well through Time Warner NC, same thing happens with mine. Good example was "Scrubs" last night on NBC HD, image was 4:3 with black bars on the sides and of course I can't stretch with my TV screen setting and impossible to change the 16:9 and 4:3 with sidebars setting on the SA 8000HD while viewing a HD channel.


My worry is the black bars on the sides and burn in on the TV. Is this going to decrease the life of my TV by watching HD channels that are shown in 4:3 like Scrubs?


Thanks,

Kasey

 

[WA2000]

I have the opposite problem...KV-36HS420 (4:3 aspect ratio). I'm worried that the top and bottom will succumb to burnout due to watching mostly HiDef stations....

 

[bfdtv]

kasey,


So long as you have properly adjusted the contrast on your TV using a DVD like AVIA (and aren't using the tube-killing defaults), then you should have nothing to fear.

 

[WA2000]

bfdtv, may I ask what you mean by "...tube-killing defaults"?


BTW, I just ordered AVIA...

 

[bfdtv]

Quote:

bfdtv, may I ask what you mean by "...tube-killing defaults"?

By default, most sets ship with their contrast levels turned to unacceptably high levels. This is so they stand out on a well-lit showroom floor.


Over time, these default contrast levels will cause excess wear and tear (and contribute to burn-in) on your television's CRTs. While you wait for AVIA or another TV calibration DVD to arrive, you may want to see what display settings other KV-36HS420 owners are using over in the Directview displays forum .

 

[Joxer]

You don't have to worry about direct-view CRTs regarding burnin as long as you set your contrast to a reasonable level like 50% and mixup your viewing aspect ratios.