DVR Chatter

Frank · 12-09-2006 5:35:09 PM

Reality check, here. I know I have that "newer is better" disease, so I need a little input. I was just messing around today, and I switched my 4:3 Override from 480p to Off (My TV has 1080i stretch modes). I think it has that "shine" that SD content was missing with 480p. I'd just accepted the duller, less colorful picture.

Is there a legitimate reason for this, or am I just using "new eyes?" Could it be that the 6412 has better circuitry than my TV? What's up?

Wareagle · 12-09-2006 6:46:06 PM

I've always left it "off" because I prefer to have the SD delivered in its original aspect ratio -- no stretch for me. I don't know about the colors, but I prefer round basketballs and normal people.

Frank · 12-09-2006 7:34:13 PM

My TV does impressive stretching and zooming. Hardly noticeable, easy to get over. Either way, SD is delivered in original aspect using both 420p and 420i. It's only the "stretch" one that pulls it apart and puts it into letterbox. The difference is that some TVs do not stretch 1080i ("Off" mode). My original one didn't, which is why I always had it set to one of the 480 options.

I prefer abnormal people. Does it show?

Wareagle · 12-09-2006 8:13:45 PM

I wish I could find some setting that would take an SD letterbox picture and zoom it to fill the 16x9 display. Will your TV do that?

Brewer247 · 12-11-2006 10:06:16 AM

Wareagle wrote:
I wish I could find some setting that would take an SD letterbox picture and zoom it to fill the 16x9 display. Will your TV do that?

My Sony DOES do that, although I never use it. I prefer things in their normal aspect ratio. I will say that I only watch SD programming when there is nothing that I want to watch on the HD channels. I guess I am an HD snob now.

Wareagle · 12-11-2006 10:41:33 AM

Brewer247 wrote:
Wareagle wrote:
I wish I could find some setting that would take an SD letterbox picture and zoom it to fill the 16x9 display. Will your TV do that?
My Sony DOES do that, although I never use it. I prefer things in their normal aspect ratio. I will say that I only watch SD programming when there is nothing that I want to watch on the HD channels. I guess I am an HD snob now.

What I was referring to was a 16x9 picture letterboxed within a 4x3 frame, so that it has bars on all sides of an HDTV screen. Zooming that to fit the 16x9 display would retain the normal aspect ratio.

Brewer247 · 12-11-2006 12:02:45 PM

My TV does do that, although when you zoom, the aspect ratio does not quite seem to be the same, as the top and bottom zoom OK, but the sides still need to stretch a bit to fill the screen to a full 16x9.

andyross · 12-11-2006 5:12:34 PM

Wareagle wrote:
What I was referring to was a 16x9 picture letterboxed within a 4x3 frame, so that it has bars on all sides of an HDTV screen. Zooming that to fit the 16x9 display would retain the normal aspect ratio.

If it's a genuine HD channel, and your TV doesn't allow zooming HD, then you are stuck.
For SD, set 4:3 override to 480i (or 480p). Most HDTV's should allow zooming on SD.
My Sony has 3 SD ZOOM's:
FULL - Anamorphic stretch. Simply stretches the picture horizontally. Designed for anamorphic DVD's (and usually switched to that mode automatically when they play.)
ZOOM - Zooms both vertically and horizontally. Designed for letterboxed SD. Chops off the top and bottom.
Zoom Wide - A non-linear stretch. The middle is not stretched much, but the sides stretch a lot.

Brewer247 · 12-14-2006 9:24:18 AM

andyross wrote:
Wareagle wrote:
What I was referring to was a 16x9 picture letterboxed within a 4x3 frame, so that it has bars on all sides of an HDTV screen. Zooming that to fit the 16x9 display would retain the normal aspect ratio.
ZOOM - Zooms both vertically and horizontally. Designed for letterboxed SD. Chops off the top and bottom.

That's what I was referring to. In retaining the original aspect ratio, you wind up losing a bit of the top and bottom. Maybe I wouldn't notice after a while, but in switching back and forth, you really notice. If it's a movie or show with any text on the bottom, it get's cut. That's why I prefer to stay in original 4:3 with no zoom.

Frank · 12-14-2006 10:04:06 AM

Most TVs have some sort of Service Mode where you can adjust screen positioning, image size, overscan, screen size, color balance, etc. It's very risky to go in there and mess around with that kind of stuff, but if it's between having the type of zoom you want and not having the kind of zoom you want, it may be worthwhile to investigate how to do it with your particular set.

I've done some minor adjustments on mine. "One tick to the left, one tick up" sort of stuff. I can't imagine being frustrated by the way my TV does something, knowing I'm able to change it, and then just sitting there frustrated anyway.

andyross · 12-14-2006 5:24:52 PM

My TV, in the regular user menus, has some limited adjustments for vertical size and rotation.

jganyard · 12-15-2006 9:29:26 AM

I'm a little frustrated that my new Samsung does not allow zoom when receiving an HD signal. I also have a new LG in the bedroom, and that one does allow zoom in HD.

DVR Chatter

#1 12-09-2006 5:35:09 PM

Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#2 12-09-2006 6:46:06 PM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#3 12-09-2006 7:34:13 PM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#4 12-09-2006 8:13:45 PM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#5 12-11-2006 10:06:16 AM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

Wareagle wrote:

#6 12-11-2006 10:41:33 AM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

Brewer247 wrote:

Wareagle wrote:

#7 12-11-2006 12:02:45 PM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#8 12-11-2006 5:12:34 PM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

Wareagle wrote:

#9 12-14-2006 9:24:18 AM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

andyross wrote:

Wareagle wrote:

#10 12-14-2006 10:04:06 AM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#11 12-14-2006 5:24:52 PM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

#12 12-15-2006 9:29:26 AM

Re: Am I Nuts or Does 4:3 Override Off Look Immensely Better?

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