Help w/ 3100hd/vizio l32 problem, please

[BoilerHorn]

I have a vizio L32, multi-HD capable TV driven by a 3100hd from Time Warner Austin. After moving my setup, I powered everything back up and saw something quite confusing. Previously, I had the monitor set to 'Normal' (as opposed to wide, zoom, or panoramic) and the normal (non-HD) channels dislplayed 4:3 AR in the middle of the screen w/ the black bars on the side (as expected). The HD channels would fill the 16:9 screen just fine. NOW, the non-HD channels fill up approximately a 1x1 region in the middle of the screen and look "shrunk" in a "skinny" fashion. The TV no longer can use 'panoramic' mode with this signal and can only display the HD programming when in 'wide' mode. The wide mode will also allow for the normal cable channels to fill a normal 4:3 space. I am using the component inputs to the L32.

Yes, I know that the 3100hd is crap and I need to get it exchanged. Does anyone know why am I seeing this behavior? This does not seem normal.

I have called TW CS and they are useless.

[57U]

The component video outputs of the SA3100HD only output 1080i signals. Most HDTVs cannot stretch 1080i, so this is "normal".

You can connect an S-video cable to another input for the SD channels and you could then stretch the SD signals on that input, or you can upgrade to a different STB. I suggest the SA3250HD, or better yet, get the DVR, the SA8300HD. People love their DVRs.

See the HDTV FAQ "Tips for SA STBs". The SA3100HD doesn't do what's listed in the FAQ, you need to upgrade.

[BoilerHorn]

57U -- thanks for your reply. I read the FAQs before I sent the original post, but clearly they did not sink in. I will definitely get the 8300hd, if it is available here.

Again, sorry for a redundant question!

BoilerHorn