Some SD programming in letterbox - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

imaddicted2u · 2011-09-16, 06:26 PM

Just wonder why when I view some channels in SD the program displays in letterbox format but when I switch to the HD version the screen fills normally. Is this something my cable provider is doing to the signal? When the cable provider inserts a commercial on the channel, it is not displayed in letterbox format. The guide displays full screen whether on SD or HD programming. Many other SD channels display in letterbox while many others don't. My cable provider says it is my tv's but I find this hard to believe because if it was a tv setting all SD programming would be in letterbox not just some of the programming, wouldn't it? Any ideas?

Michael TLV · 2011-09-16, 08:22 PM

Greetings

What is the cable box set to output the signal as? All 1080i ...? OR does the SD come out in 480i or p formats?

Regards

imaddicted2u · 2011-09-16, 08:31 PM

Motorla DCX-3400-M
Set to output 1080i via service menu.
CNN for instance, SD version is letterbox, guide displays normally, provider inserted commercial plays normally.
CNN HD version plays normally, guide plays normally.
Some SD channels play normally some don't.
Multiple TV's have the same issue.
That's why I think it is an issue that the provider needs to fix.

snorlax · 2011-09-16, 10:13 PM

I've noticed this on several channels. The SD version changes to letterboxed when the program is 16X9 and is normal 4X3 (with side bars)when the program is SD. The HD channel is full screen when the program is 16X9 and 4X3 (with side bars) when the program is SD. The broadcaster (not the cable or satellite provider) is doing this to ensure none of the image is lost to the SD viewer by side cutting the 16X9 feed. Some broadcasters do it for every 16X9 program while others only do it when the program is not 4X3 safe. Enjoy!

brown · 2011-09-17, 09:53 AM

Some? I'd say almost half of the SD programming is letterboxed. Drives me nuts, what's the point?

Snorlax, if I switch the TV back to 4:3, the feed is still letterboxed. Nothing is lost nor gained.

Paolo · 2011-09-17, 10:17 AM

brown thats exactly why they are doing it, for the 4:3 tv sets still out there.

SD material in canada is still for the most part archived in 4:3 format, so regardless if you have a 16:9 tv it is not doing anything better.

My father is used to watching tv shows with a pillar box (black border) around the entire picture making the viewable area much smaller, even our family over in europe think our tv system is whack when they see how our programs look. they cant figure it out.

2011-09-16, 06:26 PM	#1
imaddicted2u Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Some SD programming in letterbox Just wonder why when I view some channels in SD the program displays in letterbox format but when I switch to the HD version the screen fills normally. Is this something my cable provider is doing to the signal? When the cable provider inserts a commercial on the channel, it is not displayed in letterbox format. The guide displays full screen whether on SD or HD programming. Many other SD channels display in letterbox while many others don't. My cable provider says it is my tv's but I find this hard to believe because if it was a tv setting all SD programming would be in letterbox not just some of the programming, wouldn't it? Any ideas?

2011-09-16, 08:22 PM	#2
Michael TLV Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,101	Greetings What is the cable box set to output the signal as? All 1080i ...? OR does the SD come out in 480i or p formats? Regards __________________ Michael @ TLVExperience ISF/THX Video Systems Instructor

2011-09-16, 10:13 PM	#4
snorlax Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Thornhill, Ontario Posts: 391	I've noticed this on several channels. The SD version changes to letterboxed when the program is 16X9 and is normal 4X3 (with side bars)when the program is SD. The HD channel is full screen when the program is 16X9 and 4X3 (with side bars) when the program is SD. The broadcaster (not the cable or satellite provider) is doing this to ensure none of the image is lost to the SD viewer by side cutting the 16X9 feed. Some broadcasters do it for every 16X9 program while others only do it when the program is not 4X3 safe. Enjoy! __________________ Rogers Employee. My posts should not be considered as coming from an authorized corporate source.

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2011-09-16, 08:31 PM	#3
imaddicted2u Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Motorla DCX-3400-M Set to output 1080i via service menu. CNN for instance, SD version is letterbox, guide displays normally, provider inserted commercial plays normally. CNN HD version plays normally, guide plays normally. Some SD channels play normally some don't. Multiple TV's have the same issue. That's why I think it is an issue that the provider needs to fix.

2011-09-17, 09:53 AM	#5
brown Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 355	Some? I'd say almost half of the SD programming is letterboxed. Drives me nuts, what's the point? Snorlax, if I switch the TV back to 4:3, the feed is still letterboxed. Nothing is lost nor gained.

2011-09-17, 10:17 AM	#6
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,695	brown thats exactly why they are doing it, for the 4:3 tv sets still out there. SD material in canada is still for the most part archived in 4:3 format, so regardless if you have a 16:9 tv it is not doing anything better. My father is used to watching tv shows with a pillar box (black border) around the entire picture making the viewable area much smaller, even our family over in europe think our tv system is whack when they see how our programs look. they cant figure it out.