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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Toronto, Rogers, 9865 & 8300-eHDD, Sharp LC75N8000U, Denon AVR4310Ci; Sony KDL40W3000, 9865
Posts: 55,396
A Trip to Future Shop...
I had a few minutes to kill the other day - went into the Future Shop on Yonge, north of Eglinton in the early afternoon. Store was essentially empty. Went to the "HDTV Section" because I wanted to see the "new" stretch modes on the Hitachis that my Hitachi doesn't have.
Salesperson: Can I help you.
Me. I'm hoping you can, I have some questions about HDTV.
SP: Fire away.
Me: This Sony LCD-based RPTV ($7500) has a strange picture, everyone is tall and skinny, why is that.
SP: hmm, I don't know Sir.
Me: Could it be anything to do with the incorrect aspect ratio (stretch mode)?
SP. No Sir, it's probably just that DVD, let me put in another.
Me. Wait, let me adjust the aspect ratio for you with this remote control.
SP. harumph, some customer must've played with the buttons....
Another Salesperson in another area (SP2). Hello sir, can I help you.
Me. Yes, looking to understand more about HDTVs. Am I currently seeing an HD picture?
SP2: Yes sir, this is HD.
Me. hmm, why does it say 480P when I press this button?
SP2: Oh, sir you must be on the wrong input, let me change it to another and then you'll have HD - 180i.
Me. So, you're going to change a 480P signal into an HD signal are you and you say that's 180i.
SP2. Yes sir 180i, just one moment (changes input). There.
Me. How come I can use the stretch modes on this HD signal on this Hitachi which shouldn't allow you to stretch HD?
SP2. Oh sir, all TVs have stretch modes.
Me. Yes, but only Toshibas can stretch HD.
SP2. No sir, you don't understand. These stretch modes always work and they are designed to fix pictures that don't properly fit on your TV.
Me. Well, under which circumstances should I use which mode.
SP2. Sir, you have to experiment - there are no set modes for particular circumstances.
Me. OK, thank you for your time. (salesperson walks away)
Salesperson 3. Sir, may I help you (correct grammar - a good sign).
Me. yes. That salesperson didn't seem to understand stretch modes completely, would you please enlighten me on when to use which mode.
SP 3. Certainly sir, you use the 4:3 stretch on 4:3 images and you use the 16:9 stretch on widescreen images.
Me. Why then are there 5 stretch modes on this Hitachi?
SP3. Well sir, you use 4:3 on 4:3....
Me. Please tell me what's the difference between 16:9 Standard and 16:9 Zoom.
SP3. They are both used on widescreen DVDs (wow, first right answer of the day! if only by luck)
Me. Well, which do I use when.
SP3. You use 16:9 standard on WS DVDs and you use 16:9 Zoom to zoom in on the details.
Me: Oh, I thought the different modes were for different types of DVD for example, do anamorphic DVDs display differently from regular WS DVDS.
SP3. No sir, all DVDs are the same...
Me. Thank you. I went looking at receivers.
Salesperson 4. Can I help you.
Me. Yes, I'd like an A/V receiver that does component video switching.
SP4. All our receivers switch components.
Me. Oh thank you. I left the store having forgotten to see the new stretch modes. I'll have to go back some other time.
I honestly don't know how they stay in business...
Do you have any good stories?