CBS Digital OTA 4:3, what is it?

[topgun]

CBS is doing a great job with the HD programming in the New York Area. But what are they transmitting when it is in the 4:3 format? Is it 480p?

[kevinw]

Same thing I was wondering, I was watching Star Search using my OTA STB and at first it was just an ordinary picture then someone at the station flipped the switch early for CSI and the picture and audio quality doubled. They need to do this all the time.

[57U]

If you are tuned to the HD channel, they should be transmitting in 1080i all the time. The 4:3 images are usually upconverted to this scanning rate.

Since the images started life as 480i, they are not as good as "original" 1080i, however, the upconverted images I've seen can be very good.

[kevinw]

Actually with OTA they do not transmit 1080i all the time. Stations flip a switch between commercials and when going from a non-HD program to a HD program. In my case I was amazed at the considrable improvement.

[57U]

If they are not transmitting in 1080i, then you should be able to "stretch" the image. Also the bars would turn from black to grey on most TVs. If that's the case, then I believe your "switch" story, however, if you cannot stretch, then I think they stay at 1080i and you're just seeing the difference in quality, not transmission rates.

When I get my signal on cable, there is no "switching" since everything is upconverted as stated before. Perhaps it is different OTA...

[kevinw]

No it is an absolute difference. If they do not flip the switch on a HD program it stays in 4:3. When they make the switch it jumps to WS and definitely HD. In the case of Star Search it was as if the picture was in HD but not widescreen.

Sometime a station is late for the commercial switch and that too can have improved quality but in this case not nearly as remarkable as Star Search was.
Not all TV's can adjust a digital picture received through the component inputs-mine being one of them

[57U]

Originally posted by kevinw Not all TV's can adjust a digital picture received through the component inputs-mine being one of them If they're transmitting SD during the commercials, you should be able to see it through the S-Video or composite video connection, provided you set your OTA receiver to output on that, or does the OTA receiver downconvert anyway even with an HD signal? I'm not up to speed on all the OTA stuff as you can tell......

We need to get someone with a TV that can stretch component input...

[kevinw]

With my STB it has a button on the remote to flip between 480i( through the S-Vid) and 480p,720p or 1080i( I leave mine set to 1080i because my TV accepts only 480p or 1080i through the HD input).

No stretch Modes are available from TV or STB when viewing using the HD input on the TV. When the STB is set to 480i I can zoom, stretch etc. via the STB controls and again using the TV's controls.

[topgun]

I am using a Mitsu 55511 with an intergrated tuner receiving OTA digital broadcast of CBS on 56 AKA 2.01 (on an indoor antenna 35 miles away). Getting great reception of ALL CBS programming, day and night. Some primetime shows are full HD 16:9 but other shows, such as the Late Show are 4:3. The DTV antenna input on the Mitsu will only receive Digital. I understand that true HD, 1080/720 is ALWAYS 16:9. I that true???? Is there any way to tell what resoltuion you are receiving at on the Mitsu?

For example last weeks NFL playoff game JETS/RAIDERS, the pregame show was all 4:3 right up until the moment that the game started. Then it magically switched to 16:9. Commercials were still 4:3. Their 4:3 looks good and always has black side bars and the Mitsu will not let you format anything in digital.

[57U]

Originally posted by topgun 1. I understand that true HD, 1080/720 is ALWAYS 16:9. I that true????

2. Is there any way to tell what resoltuion you are receiving at on the Mitsu?
1. Yes 16:9, sometimes you'll see a movie that had an OAR that was not 1.85, like 2.35 movies or some movies that were 1.33 (the original 101 dalmations shown a couple of weeks ago), but other than that 16:9.

2. ABC and ESPN-HD are/will be 720P. All the rest are 1080i, except Faux TV which is 480P. I don't think I missed any, but if I did, someone will be sure to correct me. Also, someone might know if the Mits can tell what it's receiving. Not many TVs do...

[kevinw]

I do know that often a 480i NTSC 4:3 program is upconverted to 1080i ATSC 16:9. To preserve the aspect ratio black bars are added so your STB is going to show 1080i.

I am still curious as to what actually happens when the station flips the switch to pass theough the HD signal. When it jumps from 4:3 to 16:9.