View Full Version : Samsung TXM2796HF - HDTV settings black bars all around
You know, one issue I'm having with HD broadcast is the aspect ratio. My TV screen is the same aspect as a regular TV. So, when a movie is broadcast on HBO that was recorded for wide screen, I hit a button on my remote and it creates black bars above and below the picture to get the ratio right.
However, when the broadcast is a program that was recorded in regular TV dimensions - as many of the Showtime/HBO series are ... my TV automatically puts black bars on the left and right of the picture AND the top and bottom. So, I essentially get a picture with the exact same dimensions as my screen with about a 3" black square around it, effectively reducing my TV from a 27" to a 24".
I've messed with several settings on the TV and the decoder, but nothing seems to fix this. Any thoughts?
thanks
mblank123
08-05-2003, 06:08 PM
I have a Samsung 32 in. If I watch a SD broadcast in the DTV mode I get the side bars and top and bottom bars too. If i switch it to the Analog input then I get a full picture.
don't you think it's odd....I mean, like some HD shows are in 4:3, so you figure I would see the full picture but no!!! there's no fix you tellin me? jeez I'm beginning to hate Samsung...
~S~
mblank123
08-05-2003, 09:48 PM
Soze I think you need to understand some HD points. Nothing wrong with your Samsung. I believe all 4:3 sets will behave this way. When you switch your inputs through your remote control (for example, Analog, Video1, Video2, Video3/S-Video1, DVD, DTV) you should be using the DTV mode only when you want to view a HD program. This will make the bars appear top and bottom and the HD picture will fill out the rest of the screen (side to side). This is how a 4:3 HDTV shows an HD picture. If the program you are watching is not HD, in this mode the picture will not fill out the sides (no extra material to fill it out), and you will see a smaller box within your screen (top, bottom, side bars). Now if you switch to the analog mode the entire picture will fill out if you are tuned to an SD source. By the way, you mentioned a 4:3 HD picture.... This does not happen. All the 4:3 pictures you will see on your tv will be SD. HD is always 16:9....
twonami
08-06-2003, 01:14 AM
I have the same tv and I use the Samsung box with Directv. If you hit the FORMAT button on the STB remote it will go to 4:3 zoom and eliminate the black bars all around without loss of image or resolution.
akaPablo
08-29-2003, 03:55 AM
Originally posted by mblank123
If the program you are watching is not HD, in this mode the picture will not fill out the sides (no extra material to fill it out), and you will see a smaller box within your screen (top, bottom, side bars). HD is always 16:9....
As i understand it, the box effect IS HD. It is an upconverted SD image, and black bars are placed on either side of it by the broadcaster, so the picture is actually filled out to the sides...unfortunately that part of the picture is black. Again this is how I understand it...there is no way for a SD broadcast to have black bars on the side because it is in 4:3.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken :)
