HD T.V. picture question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

CaptainCrunch · 07-20-2009, 09:56 AM

So I picked up the Shaw 160 gb pvr on the weekend and had shaw come in and do the configuration.

I have a Samsung 46" 1080p T.V.

Here's the question, what do you guys have your picture set on.

If I use just scan, the normal channels are much smaller, while the HD channels look fine.

If I try to use the wide screen, then it stretches across the screen on all channels but its cropped at the top and on the side.

What picture settings should I use?

Is the smaller images for the regular digital channels normal.

ken0042 · 07-20-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Is the smaller images for the regular digital channels normal.

Yes. The only time I use anything else is for shows that are in SD and widescreen (Mythbusters for example.) For those I will use the zoom mode.

Just ignore the "black bars" and after a while you will forget that they are there.

fredr123 · 07-20-2009, 10:03 AM

On our older TV, we have it set so the HD channels come through normally and the SD channels are stretched out to fit the screen. Everyone looks a little fatter than normal but after a week or so of watching it that way, we hardly ever notice. We used to use the black bars on the side on SD channels but started to notice a bit of burn in. It's an older plasma unit and it doesn't have an option to use gray bars.

On our newer TV, we have it set so the HD channels come through normally and the SD channels are only stretched on the sides. It's a bit weird but basically stuff in the middle is relatively unstretched but the sides make up for it. Hard to tell at all that the TV is monkeying with the picture until a character is stuck at the side of the screen.

On both, it's a setting on the TV rather than on the Shaw box that does this.

Russic · 07-20-2009, 11:38 AM

I much prefer to have the black bars. I've tried to get used to the stretchy fat images but I never could.

fredr123 · 07-20-2009, 12:49 PM

If it wasn't for the burn in, I would have the black/gray bars too.

Vulcan · 07-20-2009, 03:15 PM

For plasmas or CRTs it's probably a good idea to stretch the picture to limit burn in but it's not necessary for LCDs. I find picture quality gets worse if I stretch or zoom the image, so I don't do it on my LCDs. Just get use to the black bars.

SebC · 07-20-2009, 04:01 PM

Does black burn in? I would think it doesn't, being an absence of light.

Vulcan · 07-20-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

Does black burn in? I would think it doesn't, being an absence of light.

My guess it's a question of uneven use. The main picture area is being aged while the black bar area is remaining the same, creating a noticeable difference in picture when using a full screen image. At one time it was considered good practise to break in a plasma with full screen images before using it for ordinary use. The new ones are less subject to burn in but still should be used with some care.
These people know more than me about it.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=53080

User Name · 07-23-2009, 08:56 AM

burn in in plasmas is not nearly the problem most make it out to be anymore. Infact i'd say its ALMOST a non issue.

Just make sure you dont watch soley SD, and you'll be fine. I'd imagine the majority of your viewing would be HD, which is widescreen. I seriously wouldn't worry that much about it...

I've never bothered to do much with mine TV's and they are all fine.

CaptainCrunch · 07-23-2009, 08:58 AM

Thanks all (even though it still pisses me off that I'm wasting valuable screen space.

Boblobla · 07-23-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Thanks all (even though it still pisses me off that I'm wasting valuable screen space.

That is why I often find myself only watching HD channels.

Regulator75 · 07-23-2009, 10:19 AM

^^^
Ditto.

CaptainCrunch, you'll get used to it. I hardly notice the bars, however I've had HD since late 2004.

ken0042 · 07-23-2009, 10:52 AM

CC- it should only bug you if the 16:9 TV you now own has a smaller 4:3 footprint than your old TV. You can see what it is here: http://www.cavecreations.com/tv2.cgi

My first 16:9 was a 37" and it replaced a 41" 4:3. Gave me a 31" 4:3 and it drove me nuts. I then got a 50" TV which gives me a 41" 4:3 and I'm fine. The 37" TV went into the bedroom and replaced the 27" 4:3 TV there. So because it was bigger I also don't notice the "black bars."

Russic · 07-23-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boblobla

That is why I often find myself only watching HD channels.

This.

Esoteric · 07-23-2009, 11:58 AM

I wish you were just allowed to purchase the HD channels. I don't care about the other channels - sports, movies and most others shows I just won't watch in SD.

Thor · 07-23-2009, 04:03 PM

A good idea for plasma owners is to use a break in DVD for the 1st 100 hours to configure your TV for optimal quality, this is what professional calibraters do for those who can afford to hire them.

Theres loads of info on this on AVS forums, but it is true that burn in is pretty much a tiny issue with new plasmas these days, but the first 100-1000hrs (especially first 100) is a important time for your Plasma TV.

Vulcan · 07-24-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

CC- it should only bug you if the 16:9 TV you now own has a smaller 4:3 footprint than your old TV. You can see what it is here: http://www.cavecreations.com/tv2.cgi

My first 16:9 was a 37" and it replaced a 41" 4:3. Gave me a 31" 4:3 and it drove me nuts. I then got a 50" TV which gives me a 41" 4:3 and I'm fine. The 37" TV went into the bedroom and replaced the 27" 4:3 TV there. So because it was bigger I also don't notice the "black bars."

Thanks Ken, I haven't looked at that site since I bought my HD CRT 5 or 6 years ago when the big question with us bargain hunters, was whether to get a widescreen HD CRT or a 4:3 HD CRT. Yes there was such an animal but by looking at that chart and figuring where TV was going I bought the widescreen.

Lately I've been thinking of upgrading my 22" monitor for a 24" monitor but in looking at that site, I'll keep my money for now.
The new monitors are cheap but only 16x9 instead of 16x10 and lose some real estate. In fact, taking out my tape measure, a new 24" is the same height as my 16x10, 22" with the 24" being 2" wider which is a gain in sq. in. of only 12.39% by my figuring.

blankall · 07-24-2009, 06:56 PM

Another question. the HD DVD player has two settings 1080P and 1080P/24 Hz, which one is better?

Vulcan · 07-24-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

Another question. the HD DVD player has two settings 1080P and 1080P/24 Hz, which one is better?

Check your TV specs. Many newer TVs handle 24 hz, especially the LCDs with 120 or 240 hz.

OilKiller · 07-25-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esoteric

I wish you were just allowed to purchase the HD channels. I don't care about the other channels - sports, movies and most others shows I just won't watch in SD.

Can't see the CRTC letting this happen for years and years and years. Most likely when they are simply forced into letting it happen, it will then happen.

I agree though. I simply don't watch SD. Perhaps if the Flames game is only avalable in SD, but other than that, I would rather watch a bad show in HD than a good show in SD.