HDTV Forum

I have a Samsung HPT4254X Plasma TV. If I set ASPECT to stretch a 4:3 signal, when I then go to an HD channel/signal it does not adjust but stretches the HD signal, causing a poor display.

Is this the way it works or is there a setting that will allow the TV to adjust ASPECT to something appropriate for the signal being displayed?

Thanks

Ray

Hi rcharles -

There a bit of confusion ( on my part, very possibly ) - but - there can be no HD with a 4 X 3 format - that's our old analog presentation.

No, if one doesn't keep older shows in this size, with side bars and / or top-bottom letterboxing, the display will always appear faded, washed out, distorted, pale - less than good.

IF - IF one's preferences are to observe a majority of such broadcasting, then it's better Not to have a plasma set, since to do so more than a small percentage of one's week total viewing is not usually recommended. HDTVs are intended for ... HD ..., especially plasma sets.

In spite of the latest pixel wobbling, screen savers, and the like, plasma sets do still need a majority of the viewing to be at full size display ! LCDs do not have this "issue."

Somewhere - with that HDTV set's Remote - there will be a section for ... video or picture or display ... settings. There, you may elect an "auto" setting for all HD presentations, as you 'posted'.

In many of our local cable HD Receivers, there are also similar choices available, usually under "advanced settings" and done either by using the menu on the Receiver console specifically or perhaps by that cable Remote in conjunction with a screen instruction.

Lastly and, perhaps unfortunately, with that "auto" choice, your display may be most unpleasant in that it may appear to be always "jumping" screen sizes as the broadcasts changes from HD show to old, non-wide screen commercials.

We did & ended up shutting "off" this auto feature, using the HD Zoom instead, manually.

<<No, if one doesn't keep older shows in this size, with side bars and / or top-bottom letterboxing, the display will always appear faded, washed out, distorted, pale - less than good. >>

Well, I have an early Pioneer 50 inch Plasma. And we sometimes stretch the 4x3 to the full width of the screen. It's never faded, washed out or pale- maybe a tad less sharp. Just makes everyone look a bit on the chubby side . Which can be fixed by choosing one of the other wide screen options - but then you lose a pretty fair portion of the picture. All trade-offs....


<<IF - IF one's preferences are to observe a majority of such broadcasting, then it's better Not to have a plasma set, since to do so more than a small percentage of one's week total viewing is not usually recommended. HDTVs are intended for ... HD ..., especially plasma sets. >>

I assume here the reference is to the possibility of "burn in" on the screen. But I have to tell you, we have watched thousands of hours of 4x3 SD on this plasma without any visible problems. Of course they were intended for 16x9 HD viewing, but they were put on the market long, long before there were many hours of HD on the air....

One other thing in your post puzzles me, though. Maybe just becuz I don't have the same problem. Whenever there is HD reception, our system automatically locks in the correct aspect ratio. Not sure if it's the Pioneer that does that or the Dish DVR. I suspect the Pioneer. And you can't change it.

Jerry

Hi jerfilm -
Thanks for your reply!

Ours is a Sony with a S.A. 8300HD Receiver on local HD, as well as the HD OTA & outside antenna.


It does has (within) the Sony menu settings that option of 'auto wide' Vs 'off'.... although it did do similar to yours whenever a HD signal came via the Receiver, it would also change back & forth several times during a single commercial break! Drove our eyes silly... we have 4 screen sizes on the SA box as well the 3 with the Sony remote, so since I like to "fiddle" , I found it easier on the eyes to do it manually.

I can also find a better match with the various broadcasts, it seems, without either 'overlapping' or too small.

By-the-way - very glad to know about your many hours of standard w/o any ill effects! Even now, the Panasonic web site - under their "F.A.Q." - has a friendly suggestion ( right near the statement that permanent patterns are Not covered by warranty) to limit 4:3 viewing to under 15% a week!

Thanks again for your info! Appreciate it.
eli whitney

<<( right near the statement that permanent patterns are Not covered by warranty)>>

Early on I worried more about those damned network logos - Fox had an especially bright one that was always on in the lower right corner, I think it was. But I think they've tamed them down so they shouldn't burn into your plasma.

Maybe our Pioneer and Sony - my favorite brands - are better quality than the Panasonic. Haha....

Jerry

jerfilm -

Certainly accurate of your Pioneer !!!