I don't have the 6412 (yet) and my TV is a HD-ready 4:3 set
(Sony 40XBR800) which doesn't have a zoom feature.

So I'm wondering what percentage of the shows on the Shaw HD channels
are real 16:9 versus the up-converted 4:3 which will display as a small
4:3 image with letterboxing and pillars (as far as I understand).

My wife is not technical and I don't look forward to having to explain
why we have a big set showing a tiny picture, too often.

Thanks - Greg

80% WS 20% 4:3 maybe...
Any epsodic show should be in HD. Any reality show is usually 4:3.

80% WS 20% 4:3 maybe...
Any epsodic show should be in HD. Any reality show is usually 4:3.


Wrong....

http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=384212

That is basically a huge list a guy made with all the shows that are aired in HD. Usually after 11pm to like 6-7 pm it's all 4:3 except for soap operas that are also aired in hd. *most*

See the following thread:

http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26993

See also the digital Home FAQ "What's on in HD". It really depends on the channel you watch, what time you watch and what programming you prefer. It could be anywhere from say 10% to 100%.

You should probably watch the equivalent SD channel, whenever the HD channel has upconverted 4:3 material on it, otherwise you'll be watching a "windowboxed" (postage stamp) image with bars all around.

Personally, I find that the upconverted SD channel usually looks much better than the equivalent SD channel. Some of these 4:3 shows almost look HD on my rptv: richer colour saturation and much sharper, more detailed image. Survivor is a good example. If given the choice, I'll almost always take the upconverted version.

It probably doesn't help that 6412 does such a crappy job on analog stations.

The answer is NONE if you want it. To watch the HiDef I assume you'll be getting a 6412. You can set it up to output all pictures as 4:3. The 6412 will zoom the widescreen to a full screen pic, chopping the left/right as needed. That's how I watch it.

Thanks for all the answers.

Shaggy: I wouldn't want to watch everything in 4:3 if that meant having
the sides cut offed. I have a hard time watching old movies that are
poorly pan and scanned.

Greg

I agree with you for movies, but i've found TV is different. I guess because they still need to worry about the 4:3 SD tv's, they tend to film with all of the action in the center. I've found I haven't noticed it was pan/scan when watching it. Try it and see what you like.

Shaggy, what settings are you using on the 6412 to have it display 4:3 HDTV?

1. Press the MENU key from the front panel of the 6412 (not the one on the remote). Result:The USER SETTINGS Screen comes up.
2. The first selected item is TV TYPE. Use the > arrow until it says 4:3 Pan/Scan

Away you go!

The reason why I was asking is that I have the Motorola 5100 box and a 4:3 HDTV. When I set the tv type to 4:3 pan and scan, the HD image does not fill the screen. If it set the resolution to 480P, it fills the screen. If the 6412 does this, then it is another reason for me to start saving my pennies.

6412 does this for 480i pan/scan. I don't know about any of the other settings cause I don't have hidef tv (i'm still saving my pennies ;))

1. Press the MENU key from the front panel of the 6412 (not the one on the remote). Result:The USER SETTINGS Screen comes up.
2. The first selected item is TV TYPE. Use the > arrow until it says 4:3 Pan/Scan

Away you go!

Do you know if there's a way to get your remote to perform this function?

I don't think so - you'll have to get your exercise if you want to switch back and forth...!

I stand (or should I say SIT) corrected! It works fine using your remote. Just hit the DCT power button (make sure your TV is still on), then hit the menu button within 3 seconds and the menu appears!

Shaggy, are you saying that you are using a Mot 6412 with a 480i 4x3 TV? You don't need a HDTV to use the 6412? it will output the HD channels in 480i?

trueg, any Moto HD box will ouput to 4801/480P (also called down resolution) if that's what you choose to do.

I have a 4X3 TV, and set my 6412 to 480P. I can't stand getting the "postage stamp" when in 1080i setting. I've asked everyone you comes over to see if they notice a difference between 1080i and 480p and most can't. The benefit is if you set the to 480p as your main setting and backup setting, all HD content is in 16X9 (black bars top and bottom) and 4X3 contant still fills the screen

Sorry to take this thread off topic, but toybox may I ask what TV you have?

I can't stand getting the "postage stamp" when in 1080i setting. This is because you have not properly set up the STB. You can send 480i to the TV as 480i AND HD as 1080i, in which case you would be seeing proper SD and proper HD instead of ED.

http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21274