[robert l]

box setup

I,m new to this website so maybe I am posting on the wrong thread. Anyway I have COGECO cable service and use a DCX 700 STBox. All has been fine for months but two days ago I lost sound on four channels. The COGECO tech asked me to disconnect the box power plug and reset the various sound settings. It cleared the sound problem but now the picture doesn't fill the screen vertically on a few channels that were all OK before . Most others are fine. I have the TV settings set for 16:9 as usual . My box remote has an ASTERIX button but it doesn't seem to do anything. On my old remote I think this was a STRETCH button. Any ideas ? Thanks.

 

[robert l]

Thanks Kimbo: When I set the TV to 16:9 , 1080i , and 4:3 (480i) stretch as you suggest most channels fill the screen correctly except for some like CNN which evidently doesn't come in in HD. I need to use the TV remote and set the 'picture' button to zoom 1 to fill the screen vertically for these channels. However, if I leave it on zoom 1 the other channels 'overfill' the screen vertically . Evidently there is no control for this that will automatically regulate the signal for all channels and all signals. The settings combinations available for the picture are many . For certain combinations there is no zoom control . I would like to know what combination is optimum. Thanks for your help.

 

[robert l]

Thanks Kimbo. I think there is a problem with the COGECO box and they are sending me another one to try. I am not clear about the settings you can select from the box. The TV type settings you can opt for are 16:9 , letterbox,4:3 and pan scan. On HDMI output you can pick 1080i,720p or 480p. The 480 override offers: off, 480i, 480p and stretch. I don't get why you would ever select anything other than 1080i when a HDMI cable is used . And why would you ever need anything but stretch if the incoming signal isn't coming in at 16:9 ? Very confusing and the COGECO tech people don't seem to have these answers. Maybe there is a source on line that can explain all this. Thanks again.

 

[robert l]

Thanks Martins: That is very helpful information . I will let you know how I make out when I get the new box from COGECO. Should be on Friday .

 

[robert l]

I got a replacement box - a Pace this time- but the results are pretty much the same. My guess is the incoming signals are not being properly processed by my TV set- a 5 year old Samsung 27" . When the set is on 16:9 the high def. signals don't fill the screen vertically. When I activate the TV zoom feature it overfills. As far as I know there is no way to reduce the amount of zoom. I guess the answer is a new TV. Otherwise this is a great TV with excellent picture and sound. Any other ideas ? Thanks.

 

[robert l]

Thanks ta Guy: My PACE DC550D set box will only allow my TV to zoom if the box is set to 480p . Any other setting like 1080- etc will only allow my TV to show up in 4:3 or 16:9 . A month ago with the 700 box I didn't have these screen-filling issues. I think something has changed with the channel signal codes since analog ended. Just a guess. Anyway I will need to try a new TV and see what happens. I would be content with what I have if I could reduce the zoom function. I don't know of any way to do that on the TV set. Thanks.