View Full Version : SA 8300HD DVR - Side Bars
aechevarria
05-31-2005, 01:13 PM
I live in Charlotte, NC and I have just picked up the 8300HD DVR from Time Warner. It uses the passport software.
My question is, is there anyway to change the colors of the side bars on a 4:3 image to black instead of gray? I looked online at the Scientific Atlanta website and in the PDF manual they post it says there is in option under settings, but I don't see that option.
I have it connected using HDMI, which as far as the TV is concerned is always 16:9, so I have figured out that the grey bars are coming from the STB and not the TV. If it's a true 4:3 signal coming in at 480i or 480p I can set the color of the bars via the set (which I have changed from grey to black). Now I just need to figure out how to get the box to give me black bars instead of grey.
Any ideas anyone?
aechevarria
05-31-2005, 01:38 PM
By the way, this is for 4:3 content on regular channels not the HD Channels. The 4:3 content on the HD channels are broadcast with the black bars as opposed to the regular channels where the STB adds the bars.
Grey bars mimic the phosphor wear like a colour image. Black causes burn in on susceptible TVs (See the HDTV FAQ on "burn in") That's why the bars are grey
The black bars on 4:3 upconverted material on HD channels are part of the signal, so they can't be changed as you noticed. Since you can already change the SD/ED (480i/P) programming on your TV, that only leaves the HD channels, which cannot be changed. I'm confused by your statements.
Passport software may not allow the change of bar colour like SARA does. Check out the various settings options. Perhaps someone with Passport software can assist you.
aechevarria
05-31-2005, 02:58 PM
57U, you hit it on the head. The issue is with Passport vs SARA. SARA seems to have the option whereas Passport does not.
Oh well. If gray bars are better than I will get use to it. Thanks for the response!!!
If gray bars are better than I will get used to it.Depends on the TV. Which type of TV do you have? Make/Model? IF you have a susceptible TV, you may wish to stretch the SD images...
Ratman
05-31-2005, 03:09 PM
Which type of TV do you have? Make/Model? .
Panasonic TH-42PX25
hmm, Plasmas are the worst for burn in. Suggest you stretch 4:3 content, unless 4:3 viewing is less than 20% of your viewing.
aechevarria
05-31-2005, 04:00 PM
Yeah that's the set that I have. On the HDTV channels I have no choice. All 4:3 content is broadcast with the black bars.
So, just so I can be clear, I should be concerned that the black bars will burn in?
I really appreciate all you guys help!!
I should be concerned that the black bars will burn in?Read the HDTV FAQ on "Burn in". Not only can black bars be a concern, if they are on screen for extended periods, but also grey bars - a line may form at the interface of the grey bars and the image, if you watch a lot of 4:3 programmes without stretching.
See also the FAQ "What you need to do to your new HDTV". Some of the burn in risk can be minimized with a proper setup of the TV.
I'm trying not to "overplay" the risk. Burn in is something to be aware of, but not paranoid about. With varied viewing and a proper setup of the TV, burn in can be avoided.
craddie
05-31-2005, 09:54 PM
Your Panasonic should have a "Just" stretch mode, which stretches only the far sides of the screen and leaves the center (where the subject of the shot normally is) unstretched. This is what I do with mine and it looks just fine and I don't have to worry about burn-in.
With my cable provider, any HD channels are also simulcast in non-HD, so if I'm watching 4:3 content, I simply view it on the non-HD channel so that it can come through in passthrough mode which will allow the TV to use the "Just" setting. If you're watching 4:3 content on HD, your TV will likely not allow you to use the "Just" setting, only "Zoom" and "Stretch" because it thinks it's getting a 1080i feed even though the broadcaster is actually sending the black bars as part of the upconverted 1080i signal.
Hope that helps....
aechevarria
05-31-2005, 10:39 PM
Thanks guys! This has been very helpful. Definitely a good community here.
aechevarria
06-14-2005, 05:01 PM
Just a quick follow up. I don't think my box has the passthrough mode enabled and I do not see an option to enable. Otherwise I would use the "Just" aspect ratio (which is what I really want for 4:3 non HD content)
If you don't have passthrough (or auto-HDMI) if you want to view SD programming in "just", you need to change the output of the STB to 480i. You should be able to do that somewhere in the settings. You would need to switch back to 1080i for HD programming.
I'm not familiar with the workings of Passport firmware. Perhaps someone else will be able to assist you further.
