New HD channels stretching non HD content?

[tkrandall]

Are the new HD channels, as in the HD version of the regular channels, strecthing there non HD content programming? I seemed to notice that on a few channels early this morning like Discovery. I'd rather they not do that.

[PoitNarf]

Yes, some of them do indeed to this. I don't really like it all that much either. I saw it on some paid programming on Discovery. Only thing that can be done about it is contacting the channels that are doing it and voicing your displeasure with the practice. Stuff like this is out of D*s hands, they broadcast what the channel gives them.

[Earl Bonovich]

The "stretching" would be done by the content provider.

So if you don't like the stretching, you should send the content provider an email, or call them.

And it might even vary by show...

[jburroughs]

Are the new HD channels, as in the HD version of the regular channels, strecthing there non HD content programming? I seemed to notice that on a few channels early this morning like Discovery. I'd rather they not do that.

Yes, it appears some of the channels are doing stretch-o-vision. I prefer them not to do that as well. I guess we should all write to Discovery networks or whomever the offending provider is.

Remember, D* only provides to us what they get, it's not D*'s fault the image is stretched on some of these channels.

[ncxcstud]

I don't mind some of the shows doing it...I do mind that some of the movie channels do it...Mystery Men looked terrible this morning (also the sound was a bit off for me...) because of the 'stretch.'

[Crypter]

Just put your TV in 4:3 mode whenever a STRECHED show comes on. I programmed my remote so that the button to switch my TV from 16:9 to 4:3 is real close.

[coit]

Just put your TV in 4:3 mode whenever a STRECHED show comes on. I programmed my remote so that the button to switch my TV from 16:9 to 4:3 is real close.


This won't work in all cases, as I noticed that some content is cropped top and bottom to maintain aspect ratio. At least it looked that way to me. Sometimes it is obvious that stuff is getting cut off the top and bottom.

If you want the whole picture, just watch the SD version...

[David Carmichael]

So far the only stations that I have noticed with "Stretch-Oh-Vision" are:
TBS
TNT
and of all things.. not the programing but.. the commericals on the new HD enabled 'Discovery Line' of channels???

[tonyd79]

A lot of Discovery stuff is stretched but the stretch is not so bad as it seems to be slightly stretched at the sides and a bit squashed at top and bottom and then only to 14:9 rather than 16:9.

Other stretching (like Saved by the Bell on TBS) makes me physically ill.

Maybe we should add a squish for HD request to the wishlist....

[medic4jc7]

A&E is doing it with 24. That show is in HD on Fox. Why stretch-o-vision?

[bobnielsen]

History Channel HD is even stretching the letterboxed content!

[racermd]

So far the only stations that I have noticed with "Stretch-Oh-Vision" are:
TBS
TNT
and of all things.. not the programing but.. the commericals on the new HD enabled 'Discovery Line' of channels???

I've noticed that, sometimes, TNTHD uses a 'hybrid' stretch. The center part of the image appears more normal, and the outer edges are stretched much more. I guess the theory is that the picture content you're most likely to pay attention to is in the middle of the screen and isn't stretched as much.

The weird thing is, two of my sets (Samsung 720p DLP models) have that as an option for SD content, as well. I'll never use it, though.

[PoitNarf]

I've noticed that, sometimes, TNTHD uses a 'hybrid' stretch. The center part of the image appears more normal, and the outer edges are stretched much more. I guess the theory is that the picture content you're most likely to pay attention to is in the middle of the screen and isn't stretched as much.

It's called non-linear scaling and looks MUCH better than simply stretching the content, imo anyway. Still, I'd like them to maintain the original aspect ratio of all broadcasted content.

[tkrandall]

If you want the whole picture, just watch the SD version...

The "problem" is that the overall quality of the HD channel version of the programming is a bit better then the SD version. (appears to have already been upconverted to a higher quality than SD, but not "full" HD) This is very noticable on a large set like my 61 inch DLP. The HD channel version of the programming image is better quality and displays better on the large set than does the SD channel, but the stretch-o-vision to me is annoying. I'd rather have the higher quality non stretched image with original content aspect ratios and pillar box. I have this option with the OTA channels - when they are not in HD mode I get the smaller image with pillar box that to me just looks better.


I realize this is not a DirecTV isssue, but rather a content provider issue.

[tonyd79]

It's called non-linear scaling and looks MUCH better than simply stretching the content, imo anyway. Still, I'd like them to maintain the original aspect ratio of all broadcasted content.

Not TNT's version of it. It makes me sick. Kind of watching TV thru a funhouse mirror. So far, the Discovery family of channels does a much better job of it.

[M3 Pete]

A&E is doing it with 24. That show is in HD on Fox. Why stretch-o-vision?I noticed it this morning on that show. Maybe because it's a simulcast of the SD broadcast on A&E?

If you look at the Guide, you will see that some shows on the new channels are marked HD and some are not. The ones that are not marked appear to be stretch-o-vision, at least that's what I saw this morning.

[tonyd79]

Probably based on what they have available. They simulcast the Sopranos and some other shows and do them in HD (seen it on cable).

Was 24 in HD early on?

[PoitNarf]

Not TNT's version of it.

Yeah, I thought so. I've never seen them do a more "pleasing" version of stretching, it's always that very ugly straight linear stretching.

Was 24 in HD early on?

Amazon lists the aspect ratio for the season 1 DVD set as 1.78:1, so I'm guessing it was:

http://www.amazon.com/24-Season-1-Slim-Pack/dp/B000NDEXK2/ref=sr_1_9/103-7920014-8923801?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1190838421&sr=1-9

[PlanetBill]

I've noticed that, sometimes, TNTHD uses a 'hybrid' stretch. The center part of the image appears more normal, and the outer edges are stretched much more. I guess the theory is that the picture content you're most likely to pay attention to is in the middle of the screen and isn't stretched as much.

The weird thing is, two of my sets (Samsung 720p DLP models) have that as an option for SD content, as well. I'll never use it, though.

It's called non-linear scaling and looks MUCH better than simply stretching the content, imo anyway. Still, I'd like them to maintain the original aspect ratio of all broadcasted content.

I call it "fish bowl stretch"

[cygnusloop]

The advantage of linear stretch, however, is that most TV's can "unstretch" it by using the TV's 4:3 mode. some of the stuff on HistoryHD seems to unstretch quite nicely, and looks (to me) much better than the SD version of the same program on the SD counterpart.

[tkrandall]

I noticed it this morning on that show. Maybe because it's a simulcast of the SD broadcast on A&E?

If you look at the Guide, you will see that some shows on the new channels are marked HD and some are not. The ones that are not marked appear to be stretch-o-vision, at least that's what I saw this morning.


I'd rather they just do 4:3 (with PQ upscaled as possible) for such content.

[tonyd79]

The advantage of linear stretch, however, is that most TV's can "unstretch" it by using the TV's 4:3 mode. some of the stuff on HistoryHD seems to unstretch quite nicely, and looks (to me) much better than the SD version of the same program on the SD counterpart.

Most TVs I have looked at do not have an "unstretch" mode.

[tonyd79]

I'd rather they just do 4:3 (with PQ upscaled as possible) for such content.

Yes, because most TVs have stretching capability.

[timb2112]

I realize DirecTV is only broadcasting what they are getting. Stretch-o-vision, upconverted simulcasts to 1080i, audio sync issues....I guess I was hoping for more. I must be spoiled by sports being broadcast native, along with channels like HD Theater and HD Net. Maybe as these new networks evolve things will improve with feedback.

Smithsonian Channel looks great! 1080i native.

[PoitNarf]

I realize DirecTV is only broadcasting what they are getting. Stretch-o-vision, upconverted simulcasts to 1080i, audio sync issues....I guess I was hoping for more. I must be spoiled by sports being broadcast native, along with channels like HD Theater and HD Net. Maybe as these new networks evolve things will improve with feedback.

Wait until primetime tonight, I'm sure there will be more true HD content on the new channels then.

[stephenC]

LOL. I think I'm going to buy a lotto ticket.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1110552#post1110552

[JonVig]

Was 24 in HD early on?



I don't think early 24 was HD.

[cygnusloop]

Most TVs I have looked at do not have an "unstretch" mode.

Hmmm.... Most I have seen do. My Sammy 5687 has a pretty basic feature set. When receiving an HD signal, It has three possible formats: 16:9 (obviously), Wide Stretch (linearly gets rid of pillars), and 4:3 (adds pillars and squishes the picture, which is my "unstretch"). Maybe some older sets don't do this, but I don't think you can buy an HDTV with many fewer features than mine.