1080i question

[jap1253]

I have a 42" Panasonic HDTV 1080i and use COMCAST Cable box. I recently installed the HDMI cable to watch HD channels. The problem that I am having is that the HD channels picture seem larger than the screen. the channel logos are cut off. Is this normal? Is there some settings that are required to have the picture look normal but in HD format?

 

[MikeD105]

Make sure all the video or display settings on both the TV and the cable box are set to 16:9 and/or normal. Switch off anything that says something like Stretch, Zoom, Wide, etc.

You might still see a bit of overscan on some channels, but not much.

 

[jap1253]

That was very helpful.

I see alot of the HD channels with the black ban on the side of display screen now. I am assuming this is normal becuase the channels are not broadcasting 1080i format. Am I correct?

 

[MatthewB.]

jap this is called overscan and happens with all RPTV's. Think of the image like a movie theater screen and the image doesnt quite fit and bleeds onto off the screen. Same principle. The three lenses are projected onto a large mirror and then projected onto the screen which results in "overscan" This is normal also for "Native" resolutions.

You can have the screen isf calibrated which will help to some degree, but unless you get a fixed display, like Plasma or LCD it just comes with the territory. I have a Pioneer Elite 620 58" that is 7 years old and it does a better job at overscan than my parents 2 year old 52" RPTV, all TV's deal with overscan differently, but is present in all of them.

 

[jap1253]

Matthew,
The overscan issue is resolved MikeD105 gave me some helpful information. I really appreciate your input. Thanks

 

[MikeD105]

That was very helpful.

I see alot of the HD channels with the black ban on the side of display screen now. I am assuming this is normal becuase the channels are not broadcasting 1080i format. Am I correct?

Glad to help.

Yes certain HD channels are going to appear with black bars on the side because not everything on that channel is an HD broadcast. The easiest examples are the network channels like CBS or NBC. Some shows are in HD some aren't. Then you have your 100% HD channels like Discovery Home Theater where every show will be in HD.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Neat little trick

Hi Japman!

I have Charter cable, with my motorola box I can turn off the power, then quiclly hit the menu button. this opens up a tressure chest of options! You can select what format to brodcast type of audio output yor using etc. But the cool thing is for plasma owners. you can make the box brodcast a strecthed non hd channel. then when you turn to a hd channel it fit the screen normaly, (unstretched). Youll avoid 4.3 letter box burn in . You miight want to try that to make sure everthing is cool in there! Remember for fast moving pictures, 720p is better than 1080i.