DVR Chatter

camroncamera · 03-18-2008 8:37:16 PM

Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

TV: 2001 Sony WEGA 32" 4:3 CRT with 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Enhancement mode. Very nice SD set for it's era, and does an admirable job displaying Widescreen-enhanced DVDs. I'd like to watch downconverted HD content this way, too.
Cable box: Motorola DCT3416 High-Def DVR
Video Connection: Component Analog
Cable Service: Comcast Digital Cable w/ HDTV channels
Video Output Settings from cable box: 480i 16:9

Problem: When watching HDTV programming, I cannot get the Motorola box to output a 16:9 Anamorphic, non-letterboxed image. Even in "480i 16:9" output mode, the cable box will only output a letterboxed downconversion of HD content. This setting gives me the same letterboxed image as the "480i 4:3 Letterbox" setting.

The two questions I've had a hard time getting answered conclusively are:
1. Is this a bug on my DCT unit?
2. Would I get the anamorphic picture I am looking for on a DCH unit, which my local Comcast outlet also rents?

TIA!

jganyard · 03-19-2008 11:01:07 AM

I used to have that very same TV and wish I had thought of trying the same thing you are. My guess is that the box automatically letterboxes all HD content that it downconverts to 480i or 480p (have you tried 480p?).

It was a great SD set and I loved the anamorphic widescreen enhancement for DVDs!

Last edited by jganyard (03-19-2008 11:02:25 AM)

camroncamera · 03-19-2008 11:22:36 AM

Unfortunately, my WEGA only accepts an interlaced signal, so no 480p. All I see is a scrambled picture on anything but 480i. I think the next model up (or its replacement the following year) might have accepted a progressive input.

There is a third output setting on the Motorola box, 480i Pan & Scan. This setting outputs the center 4:3 portion of the 16:9 image, cutting off the sides. Not Anamorphic. But obviously the box has the ability to scale the video output.

jganyard · 03-28-2008 3:31:34 PM

Hmmm crazy thought... you could try an HDMI to Component converter box and set the output on the Moto box to Widescreen - 1080i. Perhaps that will work and allow you to use the WEGA's widescreen enhancement mode?

Don't know if you feel like throwing money at the problem, but then again you could return the box if it doesn't work.

camroncamera · 03-29-2008 4:09:55 PM

A converter with this capability is not something I had thought of. You are right about not wanting to throw money at the issue, but If it turns out that someone can confirm that the DCH-series unit has the same bug (what I consider to be a bug, anyway) then I might look into this further. Thanks for the lateral-thinking input!

jganyard · 03-31-2008 11:09:01 AM

I don't have a DCH (or a SD tv for that matter) to confirm with... however my supposition is that it would be the same as a DCT.

DVR Chatter

#1 03-18-2008 8:37:16 PM

Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

#2 03-19-2008 11:01:07 AM

Re: Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

#3 03-19-2008 11:22:36 AM

Re: Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

#4 03-28-2008 3:31:34 PM

Re: Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

#5 03-29-2008 4:09:55 PM

Re: Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

#6 03-31-2008 11:09:01 AM

Re: Cannot output 480i Anamorphic 16:9 from Motorola DCT3416

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