Grey/Black bars

[ryan8886]

I'm sure this is a TOTAL newbie question..but I have no choice...I just got my ViP 622 installed today; sweet machine so far (aside from the one bug that appears to still be floating around presently)! Couple questions:

On all the HD channels, my display comes across in wide-screen (16x9) but all SD channels are in 4x3 with black bars. I have the option of manually changing aspect ratios around on my TV to stretch the SD's out...however then the guide doesn't fit right when I bring it up.
My previous HD box from Comcast used to fill the screen in (SD and HD) without any manual changes by me to the TV's aspect ratio. Is there a way to make the 622 do this as well?
I'm presently running out to the TV on Component Video lines with optical audio, via a Harman Kardon AVR 330, however I'm considering a switch to HDMI/DVI (the TV is a JVC 56" rear-projection with a DVI input). Will this switch resolve my issue...or is it not relevant?
The AVR 330 is component-compatible but not DVI/HDMI compatible...so that change would require me to run HDMI/DVI direct to the TV, and lose my ability to switch from SAT to DVD via the receiver (more buttons to push changing the TV input!)
So...is there a way to fix the bars and is it worth my hassle/cost to switch to HDMI/DVI? (BTW- it's a short run to the TVfrom the receiver- less than 7 feet of line total)

I appreciate all the help! I found this forum a few weeks ago and it's been a HUGE help in researching my equipment and it's issues!

Thanks!

Ryan

Ryan

[James Long]

Try the "Format" button (*) on the lower corner of your remote. The 622 remembers the last setting for HD channels and the last setting for SD channels so if you prefer to use a screen filling stretch or zoom on SD it will stretch all future SD viewing (until you choose a different format) without messing up the unstretched HD screens.

BTW: Some HD channels will broadcast with side pillars so the true image the receiver is getting is 16x9 even though they are only filling the 4x3 window. NFLHD will fill those pillars with their own grey. ESPNHD channels fill with their logos in soft tones when airing 4x3 clips or shows. Some local stations will also fill the pillar bars with color or logos instead of leaving them black. Some local stations will stretch to fill their 16x9 window when upconverting 4x3.

[ryan8886]

Try the "Format" button (*) on the lower corner of your remote. The 622 remembers the last setting for HD channels and the last setting for SD channels so if you prefer to use a screen filling stretch or zoom on SD it will stretch all future SD viewing (until you choose a different format) without messing up the unstretched HD screens.

BTW: Some HD channels will broadcast with side pillars so the true image the receiver is getting is 16x9 even though they are only filling the 4x3 window. NFLHD will fill those pillars with their own grey. ESPNHD channels fill with their logos in soft tones when airing 4x3 clips or shows. Some local stations will also fill the pillar bars with color or logos instead of leaving them black. Some local stations will stretch to fill their 16x9 window when upconverting 4x3.

Thank you, James! That got me where I needed!

[sNEIRBO]

BTW: Some HD channels will broadcast with side pillars so the true image the receiver is getting is 16x9 even though they are only filling the 4x3 window. NFLHD will fill those pillars with their own grey. ESPNHD channels fill with their logos in soft tones when airing 4x3 clips or shows. Some local stations will also fill the pillar bars with color or logos instead of leaving them black. Some local stations will stretch to fill their 16x9 window when upconverting 4x3.

I saw an interesting use of the side bars last weekend on the TVs in Detroit Metro Airport Northwest gate areas -

CNN in 4x3 shoved to the left side of the 16x9 screen - advertising on rest of the right side of the screen. Kind of irritating to be watching a story while the right 1/3 of the screen is switching to different print advertising every 60 seconds or so. There were ads for Ford, Chrysler and Pepsi during the few mintues I stopped to watch. I'm hopeful this is NOT a trend!

Though it would be nice to see CNN or one of the News Channels use this format with additional info concerning the story they're reporting in that area instead of an advert for Ford, Chrysler or Pepsi.

[christophersj]

Just as a matter of taste, I would encourage you to try and put up with pillar bars. The cinematographers, videographers, and directors work hard to present their work to you in an intended way. Why not see the program as it is intended to be seen in by the creators?

-CJ

[Mark Lamutt]

If you're television is a normal rear projection set (ie 7" CRT, not DLP or LCD), then viewing 4x3 content with black or gray bars on the sides will eventually cause burn in on the center of the screen. That's why filling the screen is important, regardless of how cinematographers, videographers and directors intend for a program to be seen.

[jakattak]

If you're television is a normal rear projection set (ie 7" CRT, not DLP or LCD), then viewing 4x3 content with black or gray bars on the sides will eventually cause burn in on the center of the screen. That's why filling the screen is important, regardless of how cinematographers, videographers and directors intend for a program to be seen.

Similar burn-in can happen with rear projection lcd and dlp as well, though typically not as pronounced. Personally, I have noticed the problem affects the sets much less if you use grey side-bars vs the black.

[Slordak]

This is the very reason why the grey bar mode exists, i.e. to wear the sides of the screen with an "average" intensity signal. It may not give exactly the same phospher wear pattern as having a moving video image over it, but it should be relatively close.

[TBoneit]

Just as a matter of taste, I would encourage you to try and put up with pillar bars. The cinematographers, videographers, and directors work hard to present their work to you in an intended way. Why not see the program as it is intended to be seen in by the creators?

-CJ

hmm... live with gray/black pillar bars or take a chance on burn in happening to watch what the creator of the program may have intended. or stretch the image somewhat. On my TV the stretch button makes 4:3 fill the screen and if feeding it from a DVD it doesn't look to bad to my eyes. :)

I'm thinking that in the past 4:3 Ar was as much or more of a money thing than an artistic thing. I susupect that in the majority of B&W vs Color money was the key too.

The Wizard of Oz being an artistic use rather than a money issue.