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General discussion

HD - Seeing The Whole Picture

by mrlewp Jun 8, 2009 8:48PM PDT

Have Samsung 42" HDTV, about year old, model etc. I think not relevant, at least for now. Using Comcast HD service. I have 2 devices controlling display. Comcast's remote gives you "Normal", "Zoom","Zoom (2?). But, since getting the HD service, rarely would use any other than "Normal" view.

Samsung remote deals better with HD signal, giving you 4:3, "Just Scan", 16:9, "Wide Fit & Move" - 1 & 2.
Sometimes a DVD is fine using 16:9, sometimes it works better with "Just Scan".

Annoyance now is mainly with TV broadcasting - HD. I used to be able to always find a setting that would allow total view of any script
along the bottom, mainly - or top edge. Also, when viewing a TV show, a lot of credits, sometimes subtitles, are very low in the scenes,and clipped a bit-or missing!
For unknown reason, seems I cant get that perfect fit anymore while viewing TV shows, or movies on TV. Naturally, I'm not going to consider 4:3 simply to view occasional text.

Tech; TV HDMI input comes directly from the cable's HDMI output. Is there perhaps a setting in Comcast's digital box I could look for.
Seem to recall choices about HD, or audio - forget which - that weren't explained, and saw no difference. (or heard?)
Have 5:1 system, but used ONLY for audio - saves lot's in cable costs, and really, why all the signal splitting if no need to.?
Any thoughts.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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"seems I cant get that perfect fit anymore while viewing TV
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 8, 2009 9:54PM PDT

"seems I cant get that perfect fit anymore while viewing TV shows, or movies on TV. Naturally, I'm not going to consider 4:3 simply to view occasional text."

Yup. You and millions of others noticed this.
Bob

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Agree with Bob . . .
by Coryphaeus Jun 8, 2009 10:20PM PDT

Welcome to the world of non-standard delivery.

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4:3 hi-def...not likely?
by ahtoi Jun 8, 2009 11:28PM PDT

Wants to view subtitles? Don't use zoom.

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Comcast box settings/also re: 5.1 output to receiver
by Pepe7 Jun 10, 2009 12:59AM PDT

...there are output settings you can change. There are instructions in the following thread to get you there so you can experiment a little to see which settings works to catch a little more of the subtitles/etc.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/413864

Regarding 5.1 surround sound, why not also connect your HD cable box output to your HT receiver(?) Seems silly to not take advantage of what you are paying for each month. Even DD Pro 2 (="fake" surround) sounds better than the generally less than ideal speakers on a newer HDTV. The cables won't amount to much of an expense or splitting headache like you've suggested. HDMI out from the box to the TV and either digital coaxial/digital optical to your 5.1 A/V receiver.

-Pedro

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view options
by bearvp Jun 10, 2009 5:14AM PDT

I just set my HDTV to "Auto" for what mode to display in which will display 16:9 signals to fill the screen without any zooming and 4:3 signals with black bars on the sides. I think that displaying standard def 4:3 signals without stretching them to fill the entire screen is far superior than to stretching it.

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HDTV Viewing Options
by mrlewp Jun 14, 2009 8:43PM PDT

I wanna thank last 2 posters (is that right? ha.), for substance, rather than pointless chat.
Now, I did go into the deeper menus of Comcasts digital box, and found the "display" options.(hope I'm rememebering that right)
Found 4 choices- I'll do my best.( 6:30am now, and days after...)
1)HDMI Upconvert- 1 2)HDMI Upconvert- 2 3)AUTO DVI....(?)
4) ?
Anyway , I tried the AUTO, and seems to have corrected the issue. At times I do have to play with the TV's display choices to get largest image I want, without stretching or clipping. I think this is where the "non-standard" point comes into play.
Also, the comment "Even DD PRO (=fake surround) sounds better..."
One of you swerved into another issue I've wondered about, but am ok with for now. (I am btw, getting use of my sound system's 5.1, with audio connections - Fiber optic, and PCM lines.) Likely should be new post. I'll title it something like
"PRO LOGIC vs. HDMI" Surround.
Thanks

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Glad you figured it out ;)
by Pepe7 Jun 15, 2009 12:14AM PDT

The other topic on surround would be a nice one to discuss.

cheers,
P

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