hd normal or sd normal - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

bkinden · 2010-11-16, 08:12 PM

i am new to hd and when i am viewing a hd channel in the info pane it will say hd normal and sd normal but the sd normal has an amber rectangle around it am i watching hd or sd please help

Jase88 · 2010-11-17, 03:55 AM

It's basically to allow you to stretch or zoom a picture. Some people prefer a stretched SD 4:3 ratio image, so it fills the entire screen (no bars on either side when viewing on a 16:9 ratio HD TV).

Pinza · 2010-11-17, 06:43 AM

With Bell TV, you are watching an HD Show, when the title of that show has the letters "HD" in front of the show name.

Just because you are watching on an HD channel does not mean the show is in HD.

57 · 2010-11-17, 09:48 AM

Here's the FAQ on HD Programming:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76068

Here's a useful post for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

Pressing the * button allows you to cycle through the various stretch modes and the STB will remember the mode separately for SD and HD channels, however, these days with most people watching mostly HD, I recommend leaving both at "normal" for the best picture quality and no distortion.

Dalek Prime · 2010-11-17, 10:39 AM

To add to the confusion, tv's have their own aspect ratio controls, independent of the receivers. Preferring to see the whole picture, unstretched, I keep both sets of controls 'normal'. The picture is smaller, but I see it all, the way it should look, adjusting for individual shows and films on a case by case basis.

57 · 2010-11-17, 12:06 PM

To confuse things even more, on many TVs they default to "wide" when watching HD (which is can be the correct setting for the TV). Here are the FAQs on stretch modes and black bars.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76074

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76089

markb · 2010-11-17, 12:15 PM

Just because the show has HD on the title in guide doesn't mean it's HD either. 95% of the time that is correct, but there have been instances where Hell's Kitchen or The Amazing Race has shown in Bell's guide as "HD - The Amazing Race". The only thing HD on the Race is the odd commercial, not the show itself, although that's changing.

Stan Dev · 2010-11-17, 04:34 PM

The opposite error also occurs occasionally, where the title in the guide lacks an "HD-" prefix, even though the show really is HD.

2010-11-16, 08:12 PM	#1
bkinden Rookie Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1	hd normal or sd normal i am new to hd and when i am viewing a hd channel in the info pane it will say hd normal and sd normal but the sd normal has an amber rectangle around it am i watching hd or sd please help

2010-11-17, 03:55 AM	#2
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,107	It's basically to allow you to stretch or zoom a picture. Some people prefer a stretched SD 4:3 ratio image, so it fills the entire screen (no bars on either side when viewing on a 16:9 ratio HD TV). __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2010-11-17, 09:48 AM	#4
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,297	Here's the FAQ on HD Programming: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76068 Here's a useful post for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 Pressing the * button allows you to cycle through the various stretch modes and the STB will remember the mode separately for SD and HD channels, however, these days with most people watching mostly HD, I recommend leaving both at "normal" for the best picture quality and no distortion. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2010-11-17, 12:06 PM	#6
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,297	To confuse things even more, on many TVs they default to "wide" when watching HD (which is can be the correct setting for the TV). Here are the FAQs on stretch modes and black bars. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76074 http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76089 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2010-11-17, 06:43 AM	#3
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,575	With Bell TV, you are watching an HD Show, when the title of that show has the letters "HD" in front of the show name. Just because you are watching on an HD channel does not mean the show is in HD.

2010-11-17, 10:39 AM	#5
Dalek Prime Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 262	To add to the confusion, tv's have their own aspect ratio controls, independent of the receivers. Preferring to see the whole picture, unstretched, I keep both sets of controls 'normal'. The picture is smaller, but I see it all, the way it should look, adjusting for individual shows and films on a case by case basis.

2010-11-17, 12:15 PM	#7
markb Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 923	Just because the show has HD on the title in guide doesn't mean it's HD either. 95% of the time that is correct, but there have been instances where Hell's Kitchen or The Amazing Race has shown in Bell's guide as "HD - The Amazing Race". The only thing HD on the Race is the odd commercial, not the show itself, although that's changing.

2010-11-17, 04:34 PM	#8
Stan Dev Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Vancouver Posts: 350	The opposite error also occurs occasionally, where the title in the guide lacks an "HD-" prefix, even though the show really is HD.