DVR Chatter

The first and third are quite common, since the first is a normal 16:9 HD picture and the third is a 4:3 SD picture as viewed on an HD channel (such as for an SD commercial).  The middle one seems to be a 16:9 picture embedded in a 4:3 frame, as you would see if an HD picture was being viewed on a 4:3 TV, or with a cable box configured to provide a 4:3 picture to an HD TV.  I can't think of any reason for an HD channel to be providing such a feed on its own.

I've often seen 16:9 embedded in 4:3 on SD channels, but not on HD, other than 16:9 SD commercials.  Do you have both eastern and western Sci-Fi HD channels (I can't believe poor old Comcast would use bandwidth for that), or are you referring to the eastern HD and western SD (which is what I get in Seattle), or perhaps a second showing on the eastern HD channel?

The first may be true HD, or some form of stretched SD.

The second is an SD 4:3 letterboxed program that has been upconverted. Basically, you get the pillarboxes (on the sides) for the 4:3 conversion, then letterboxing from the SD. This may be where they only have a letterboxed copy (or rights to only SD), but no HD version. Doctor Who and Sarah Jane Adventures are NOT recorded in HD, they are widescreen PAL SD. Torchwood is recorded in HD. I don't know when BBCAmerica HD launches, but I already see HD tags on some of their shows.

For those, I often go back to the SD channel so I can ZOOM it with my TV. Some TV's may let you do that with an HD signal.

The third is an SD 4:3 program without letterboxing.

Last edited by andyross (04-21-2008 4:25:35 PM)