COMCAST Cable - HDTV 4:3 material

[THX198]

I currently bought a 42" Plasma Widescreen (Panasonic TH-42PWD5) and this last Friday Comast installed the box that supports HDTV. Excellent picture! My question is since I am running my system using component cable through out with the exception of my S-VHS why does the non-HDTV stations broadcast with the black bars on the side. I can not turn on the internal gray bars that the Plasma has. The only way I can do that is if I run the S-Video mode. Which by the way is a pain! Does anyone know a way to overcome this other then what I've done??

[57U]

Here are some answers to your questions.

1. Most TVs do not allow you to stretch 720P or 1080i (high def) images. Just the way it is, sorry. Your 3100HD outputs everything via component video cables at 1080i - no adjustments, again, sorry. The black bars on upconverted 4:3 material are actually part of the 16:9 High Def image.

2. Future STBs are scheduled to have stretch modes for HD material. Due in a few months...

3. You'll have to watch SD material via S, or composite video cables to be able to stretch the images and use grey bars. This may actually provide you with a better picture, because SD channels shown through the 3100HD's component cables do not have the best PQ.

It's a pain, but most of us have to put up with it.

[vanman]

Yep, that's the way it is for me too. BUT go to www.scientificatlanta.com and you'll find info on the new 4200HD box that IF COMCAST OFFERS IT, will allow you to reformat the picture before it gets to your component inputs. It also may have IEEE 1394, which as a new Mits 65869 owner really peaked my interest
--Vanman