Samsung DLP picture size?

[gnagel]

My brother just purchased a Samsung HL-T6756W 67" DLP television. He then ordered high definition cable from Comcast.

The problem he is having is that the high definition channels do not fill the entire screen. There is a black band at both the top and bottom of the picture.

I suggested that he change the aspect ratio setting on the television to 16:9. He's done that and it doesn't make a difference. Of course, if he changes the aspect ratio to 4:3, he ends up with bands on the sides as well.

I'm not sure what to suggest beyond this. Does anyone have any ideas? I've already checked Samsung's FAQ and knowledge data base for this...

Glenn

 

[Martiad3]

There may be a setting in the cable box that needs to be set to 16x9 also. Check the manual that should have come with it for how to check these settings.

One question: is this happening on all HD channels and all HD cable programming?

Edit: Quick thought, check the cable box's remote. There should be a HD zoom button on it. Cycle through the different zooms to find the "Normal" one (that's what it's called on my box, so hopefully it's the same). One of the HD zooms for me squeezes the picture and puts the black bars on top and bottom of a 16x9 broadcast.

 

[gnagel]

There may be a setting in the cable box that needs to be set to 16x9 also. Check the manual that should have come with it for how to check these settings.

One question: is this happening on all HD channels and all HD cable programming?

Edit: Quick thought, check the cable box's remote. There should be a HD zoom button on it. Cycle through the different zooms to find the "Normal" one (that's what it's called on my box, so hopefully it's the same). One of the HD zooms for me squeezes the picture and puts the black bars on top and bottom of a 16x9 broadcast.

Thanks for your quick response.

This is happening on all HD channels and all HD cable programming.

I'll have to give him a call and see if he has the ability to switch to a "Normal" setting. His cable remote is also tied to the TV---so when we cycled through the usual options (16:9, Zoom 1, Zoom 2, 4:3, etc.), none of the settings seemd to work.

He may have to call Comcast as many of the setting for the cable box are not readily accessible.

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for your quick response.

This is happening on all HD channels and all HD cable programming.

I'll have to give him a call and see if he has the ability to switch to a "Normal" setting. His cable remote is also tied to the TV---so when we cycled through the usual options (16:9, Zoom 1, Zoom 2, 4:3, etc.), none of the settings seemd to work.

He may have to call Comcast as many of the setting for the cable box are not readily accessible.

Thanks,
Glenn

Yes, he may need to call comcast
If the cable is sending a channel that broadcasts in hidef, usually a decimal channel, I think, then their standard broadcast is 16:9. Other stations not yet sending a hidef signal will have a 4:3 picture, even if it is a digital signal, as best I know. Movies would still have black lines at the top and bottom though, depending on the movie's aspect ratio.

 

[gnagel]

Yes, he may need to call comcast
If the cable is sending a channel that broadcasts in hidef, usually a decimal channel, I think, then their standard broadcast is 16:9. Other stations not yet sending a hidef signal will have a 4:3 picture, even if it is a digital signal, as best I know. Movies would still have black lines at the top and bottom though, depending on the movie's aspect ratio.

It must be something with that particular cable box, though. He has another HDTV connected to a Comcast HD box in the bedroom and that one works fine. The HD broadcasts are coming in at 16:9.

For some reason, this new Samsung television has approximately a 1" black band (and not a real straight break) on both the bottom and the top of his picture.

Glenn

 

[Hi Ho]

The box is not set up correctly. This is typical of Comcast installers.

First, confirm that the box is connected with either component video cables (red, green, blue, white, red) or HDMI. If not, that's the first thing that needs to change. Composite (yellow, red, white) or coax will not provide a high definition picture.

Next, turn the box off, press the menu button on the Comcast remote, change the YCbCr output to 1080i, the 480 override to 480i, and the aspcect ratio to 16:9.

 

[gnagel]

The box is not set up correctly. This is typical of Comcast installers.

First, confirm that the box is connected with either component video cables (red, green, blue, white, red) or HDMI. If not, that's the first thing that needs to change. Composite (yellow, red, white) or coax will not provide a high definition picture.

Next, turn the box off, press the menu button on the Comcast remote, change the YCbCr output to 1080i, the 480 override to 480i, and the aspcect ratio to 16:9.

Thank you! I gathered that the box wasn't set up correctly. I had checked the cables and noticed that the Comcast installers used the composite cables. So, we ordered a HDMI cable--but I had no idea that this would impact the aspect ratio.

When he receives the HDMI cable, I'll then check to see that the output is set to 1080i.

Thanks again...
Glenn

 

[Hi Ho]

The reason it affects the aspect ratio is that when the box is connected with composite cables and/or set up incorrectly the HD channels are being displayed in 16:9 letterbox which ads black bars for display on a 4:3 display.

I spend a considerable amount of time on my job fixing Comcast installations.

 

[gnagel]

The reason it affects the aspect ratio is that when the box is connected with composite cables and/or set up incorrectly the HD channels are being displayed in 16:9 letterbox which ads black bars for display on a 4:3 display.

I spend a considerable amount of time on my job fixing Comcast installations.

Thanks for the explanation.

The sad part is that I didn't really expect Comcast to install his HD cable box correctly.

But, I was a bit more surprised that I had to spend a considerable amount of time fixing my uncle's installation--which was completed by Tweeter (and he paid hundreds of dollars for that "professional" installation). After Tweeter was done, he didn't have an HD signal or surround sound! I believe Tweeter is out of business now.

Glenn

 

[Hi Ho]

We don't have Tweeter stores in this area but I also spend a considerable amount of time fixing "installations" done by Best Buy and Circuit City.

 

[gnagel]

We don't have Tweeter stores in this area but I also spend a considerable amount of time fixing "installations" done by Best Buy and Circuit City.

It always amazes me that stores would tolerate inferior installations. Don't they want their customers (and potential other customers) to be impressed with the picture quality of the products that they just purchased?

When people are impressed with a home theatre, they are generally curious about where it was purchased and who installed it. It's not like doing it right would cost a lot more money or take much more time in many cases.

Glenn

 

[MDS]

We don't have Tweeter stores in this area but I also spend a considerable amount of time fixing "installations" done by Best Buy and Circuit City.

With HT equipment getting more complex and a lot of these stores offering installation/setup services, your job should be pretty secure for a long while.

 

[Hi Ho]

When I do installations that is exactly how I feel. I'd rather do it right the first time rather than spend more time and money coming back and fixing it or turning away potential customers because the system is incorrectly set up and not as impressive as it should be.

Big box stores seem to hire people that have little to no experience in setting up systems. Comcast installers are generally knowledgable as far as getting the cable signal to the house and making sure it's strong enough but they don't seem to know anything about HDTV.

 

[tamiam3]

There may be a setting in the cable box that needs to be set to 16x9 also. Check the manual that should have come with it for how to check these settings.

One question: is this happening on all HD channels and all HD cable programming?

Edit: Quick thought, check the cable box's remote. There should be a HD zoom button on it. Cycle through the different zooms to find the "Normal" one (that's what it's called on my box, so hopefully it's the same). One of the HD zooms for me squeezes the picture and puts the black bars on top and bottom of a 16x9 broadcast.

Awesome! That tiny little "HD ZOOM" button on my Comcast HDTV cable box finally allowed to me to see the whole picture. Thanks!