My guess is that it's normal. Any time when zoom is being used; part/s of the pictures will get cut off.
I just bought a Philips 30PW8402 HDTV. I don't have digital cable or satellite yet but when I watch a widescreen DVD I put the TV into zoom 14:9, zoom 16:9, subtitle zoom, superwide, or widescreen and the picture gets cut off from the top, bottom, and the sides. It seems as if the movie is being stretched, even a widescreen movie. It doesn't seem to be in true widescreen mode. I called Philips customer service and they were of no help. The cust serv rep said that most of the calls he has been getting are regarding the same thing. He said at this time nothing can be done. I told him it looks like the picture is being enlarged and he said that's exactly what it is. I asked, shouldn't a widescreen movie not have to be stretched. He had no response. I don't know if another TV is going to be the same or if Philips makes an inferior product. Please let me know if you can help.

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