[rmears]

If you have a set top box and know for sure that it

lets you switch between black and gray letterbox bars,

(or any other colors) would you kindly post the

make & model here?


Manufacturers don't seem too keen about publishing this

info. One store salesman told me the RCA DTC-100 gray bars

could NOT be changed to black, while his coworker

insisted they could, but he did not know how.


I understand the point of gray letterboxing on the top

or sides is to prevent burn in, but it's so distracting

with darker movies I would like the option to choose.


Curiously, when standard analog TV broadcasts a widescreen

movie letterboxed, they most always put black bars at the

top & bottom.


Anyway, posting just the make & model of the ones

you're cetain allow choosing would be appreciated greatly.


Thanks,


------------------

..RM

 

[Jim Ferguson]

The RCA DTC100 has the black/gray option. With the latest software update, it's right in menus (under Assistance.) With the original software you had to go to the service menu to change it.

 

[greenwing]

Same goes for the ProScan STB...RCA Look-A-Like...Gray or black bars are optional...


------------------

kenmullins

newnan, ga usa

 

[Larry Hutchinson]

Interesting.


From the lack of replies, it looks like ONLY the DTC100/ProScan allows user choice of bars.


That's really quite pathetic, you know.



------------------

STOP DVI/HDCP; Boycott JVC

 

[Robert Whitehead]

Gray/Black: RCA/ProScan

Black: Sony

Gray: All Others

Zenith ?

 

[BarryO]

The Dish 6000 is also gray/black


------------------

You have a right to install OTA and dish antennas on property under your control.


See http://www.fcc.gov/csb/facts/otard.html

 

[rmears]

Ok then, it looks like the set top boxes

letterbox color choices are:


Gray/Black: RCA/ProScan (DTC100), Dish 6000

Black only: Sony (SATHD100)

Gray only: All the others..

Hughes (HIRDE86), Mitsubishi (SRHD400),

Panasonic (TUHDS20), Samsung (SIRT150),

Toshiba (DST3000)

Unknown: the unshipped Zenith


Thank you for your help with this information.



------------------

..RM

 

[Jim Ferguson]

Keep in mind that the software on the Hughes/Toshiba/Mits. boxes is capable of being updated to add the gray vs. black sidebar option...

 

[Signal]

My Samsung SIR-T150 has black bars. This thread has information about a software upgrade that allows a choice of black or gray pillar box.
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/014521.html


How does one receive the software upgrade for the Hughes/Toshiba/Mits. boxes to add the choice of gray or black sidebars?

 

[Jim Ferguson]

Quote:

How does one receive the software upgrade for the Hughes/Toshiba/Mits. boxes to add the choice of gray or black sidebars?

Updates are downloaded automatically from the satellite. I'm not sure when/if this feature will be added.


[This message has been edited by Jim Ferguson (edited 08-24-2001).]

 

[rmears]

The STB letterbox color choices identified so far are:

Gray/Black: RCA/ProScan (DTC100), Dish 6000, Samsung SIRT150 (with software upgrade if needed as discussed in the thread mentioned above)

Black only: Sony (SATHD100)

Gray only: All the others - Hughes (HIRDE86), Mitsubishi (SRHD400), Panasonic (TUHDS20), Toshiba (DST3000)

Unknown: the unshipped Zenith


Thanks again for sharing this information.



------------------

..RM