Yet another aspect ratio question

1404 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by spollock15, Sep 25, 2007

spollock15

Discussion Starter · Sep 24, 2007

Just had the cable cards installed on my new S3...what an ordeal!

SD broadcasts appear to cycle through zoom, panel and full with the aspect button as expected. With HD channels, though, it seems as though the aspect button has no effect. The words zoom, panel and full cycle on the screen, but there is no change in the picture. When I'm receiving 4:3 programming on an HD channel, I'd like to be able to fill the screen to eliminate the black bars which I'm guessing are part of the actual 16:9 broadcast (they don't change from grey to black with the TiVo settings). I have not found any combination of settings that allows me to do this.

When tuned to an HD broadcast, my screen (3-yr-old Pioneer Elite 920HD) only provides a choice between full and wide. I can't stand the wide mode which simply stretches horizontally. Full, the only other choice, leaves me with the black bars.

Even my old Scientific Atlanta cable box allowed me to do this with HD programming. Am I missing something or is there no way to zoom into the HD picture with my S3?

Steve

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

ewilts

· #2 · Sep 25, 2007

The TiVo won't allow this with HD programming. Some TVs do allow it. Since your's doesn't, you're out of luck until you either upgrade your TV or convince the broadcasters to provide more HD programming (I'll bet 2 bits on the first).

.../Ed

Save

moyekj

· #3 · Sep 25, 2007

Also, I guess you realize that if you were allowed to zoom HD content that a portion of the top and bottom of the video would be cut off as well in order to preserve proper aspect ratio so it wouldn't look right... The only time zoom makes sense for me to use is on some SD shows with black bars on top and bottom (such as some SciFi shows). Otherwise it cuts off too much off the top and bottom.

Save

wierdo

· #4 · Sep 25, 2007

moyekj said:
Also, I guess you realize that if you were allowed to zoom HD content that a portion of the top and bottom of the video would be cut off as well in order to preserve proper aspect ratio so it wouldn't look right... The only time zoom makes sense for me to use is on some SD shows with black bars on top and bottom (such as some SciFi shows). Otherwise it cuts off too much off the top and bottom.

I'm zooming an "HD" program as we speak. Luckily one of my TV's modes fixes strech-o-visioned letterboxed 4:3 content.

The program is, of course, really SD, but broadcast on an HD channel. (One of the ones that so rudely stretches 4:3 content to fill the full width of a 16:9 screen, in this case)

Save

Maxnl

· #5 · Sep 25, 2007

I feel like if you are watching 4:3 content on a HD channel, that you should just watch the SD version of said channel.
Wouldn't that make sense?

Save

wierdo

· #6 · Sep 25, 2007

Maxnl said:
I feel like if you are watching 4:3 content on a HD channel, that you should just watch the SD version of said channel.
Wouldn't that make sense?

Some channels do not have an SD version. Additionally, the HD version of a channel that is simulcast almost always looks better due to the increased bit rate.

Save

spollock15

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 25, 2007

moyekj said:
Also, I guess you realize that if you were allowed to zoom HD content that a portion of the top and bottom of the video would be cut off as well in order to preserve proper aspect ratio so it wouldn't look right... The only time zoom makes sense for me to use is on some SD shows with black bars on top and bottom (such as some SciFi shows). Otherwise it cuts off too much off the top and bottom.

You all make good points, thanks. I guess this is a pretty personal issue without a perfect solution...at least until round pegs fit into square holes. I've been willing to sacrifice some content from the top and bottom in order to fill the frame.

I guess I'll have to check out those new Kuro's in person. There is an ominous disclaimer in the user guide that says, "The selectable screen sizes differ depending on the types of input signals." In the case of my present screen, any HD signal disables the zoom mode.

Steve

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month