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Watching TV in HD: Adjusting screen ratios
You've invested in High Definition Television. Let's ensure you're watching the best picture quality.
HD television is broadcast in a 16:9 screen ratio, which is similar to big-screen movies. It's wider than a traditional 4:3 TV screen. HD programming is filmed on specific cameras to deliver both the wide screen picture and the excellent picture quality.
Currently, programming broadcast on HDTV channels may contain a mix of both Standard Definition and High Definition content. While HD channels primarily carry true HD programming, there are instances when standard definition programming is on HD channels. To find true HD broadcasts, press INFO when watching a program or looking in your interactive On-Screen Guide. You'll see the HDTV logo on the information screen for all HD broadcasts, whether it's a movie or TV series or special. This information is reported by the broadcaster.
Black bars are used to fill screen
When you are using your HDTV to watch non-HD programming, you may see black bars down the side of the screen. These are included by the broadcaster to preserve the aspect ratio of the program. You may also see the black bars on the top and bottom if a movie is presented in a format other than 16:9.
You can choose to set your Advanced HDPVR to stretch the image to fill the entire screen. The result will be a distortion of the original picture to fill the screen, or you may prefer the black bars, which leave the picture undistorted.
Using the Aspect Mode
You can easily remove the black bars by pressing ASPECT on the remote and move between the normal, stretch and zoom modes. The activated mode will be displayed on the front panel of the receiver. Be aware that you may lose the sides of the image as the aspect ratio is changed.
Normal (nor) will broadcast the programs in the aspect ratio that they are broadcast in, with black bars in the case of Standard Definition programming on an HD channel.
Stretch (str) will force a Standard Definition picture to fill your TV's wide screen, with some distortion of the picture.
Zoom (zoo) will stretch the picture vertically and horizontally, eliminating black bars at the top and bottom of the screen by zooming into some of the picture.
The Aspect function affects both HD and SD channels. If you leave the receiver in Stretch or Zoom mode while tuned to an HD program, you will lose part of the picture.
Use options menu to set the 4:3 override
Another way you can manage your picture settings is by setting the override to automatically stretch all 4:3 Standard Definition channels to the full width of your HDTV. It will not change the aspect ratio of SD programming broadcast on HD channels. If you want to stretch these programs, use the ASPECT button.
Access the Options menu. Use the Settings icon from the menu bar, or push the OPTIONS button.
- Choose 4. System Settings.
- Choose 5. Video Settings.
- Under Output Format, make sure 1080i is checked.
- Under TV type, make sure 16x9 is checked.
- Under 4x3 Override, check the 480i option.
- Select Save and press ENTER. Then exit or go back to return to the main menu.
With these settings, when you are tuned to a standard definition channel the receiver will output the picture in 480i resolution. Most TVs will automatically stretch signals in this format to fit the whole screen. When you change to an HD channel, the receiver will output the picture in 1080i resolution, which your TV knows not to stretch. You may see a brief flicker or loss of picture when changing between SD and HD channels – this is normal as your TV adjusts to the new resolution.
To turn the 4:3 override off, go back into the menu and select off. You'll see Standard Definition programming with its correct aspect ratio.
