Component to HDMI and SD Aspeect Ratio Changed?

Samsung 42" Plasma with Charter HD cable.

Charter installed this with component cables and we ran that way for a couple of
months. The way it was working during that time was that HD channels were full
screen unless they happened to be showing non-HD content in which case they
showed in 4:3 with bars on the side. The SD channels were always full screen
but with a stretched image.

I just purchased an HDMI cable (supposed to be better right?) and noticed that
afterwards all of the SD channels are now showing in 4:3 with bars on the side.
This is true even if I unplug the HDMI cable and go back to using the component
cables. It seems that some setting in either the TV or the cable box has been
switched when it detected a digital input.

Is anyone familiar with this and know where to get the setting back the way it
was? I have an Email into Charter, but won't hear from them until next week I'm
sure. While I know that image burn is much improved in plasma displays our
owner's manual still suggests limiting viewing that has the bars to prevent
burning. Even with the stretched image I prefer the full screen to what I have
now on the SD channels.

The aspect ratio on the set still indicates 16:9 in setup and I do get full
screen images if I switch to other sources.

TIA

Rick Brandt wrote:
Samsung 42" Plasma with Charter HD cable.

Charter installed this with component cables and we ran that way for a couple of
months. The way it was working during that time was that HD channels were full
screen unless they happened to be showing non-HD content in which case they
showed in 4:3 with bars on the side. The SD channels were always full screen
but with a stretched image.

I just purchased an HDMI cable (supposed to be better right?) and noticed that
afterwards all of the SD channels are now showing in 4:3 with bars on the side.
This is true even if I unplug the HDMI cable and go back to using the component
cables. It seems that some setting in either the TV or the cable box has been
switched when it detected a digital input.

Is anyone familiar with this and know where to get the setting back the way it
was? I have an Email into Charter, but won't hear from them until next week I'm
sure. While I know that image burn is much improved in plasma displays our
owner's manual still suggests limiting viewing that has the bars to prevent
burning. Even with the stretched image I prefer the full screen to what I have
now on the SD channels.

The aspect ratio on the set still indicates 16:9 in setup and I do get full
screen images if I switch to other sources.

TIA

When you connect the HDMI cable, it might have set the STB back to
"fixed"output. Make sure it's set on "pass through". I can't remember,
but when I hooked up my HDMI cable, I first unplugged my STB, hooked up
the HDMI cable, then plugged the STB back in and let it reboot. It will
recognize the HDMI cable connected to it.
Right now your STB is outputting 1080i all the time, so when the TV
see 1080i, it goes HD wide screen all the time, even for your SD
channels, thus putting bars on the side. If you set it to "pass
through" it will output whatever was fed in. For example, 480 in = 480
out, then your tv recognizes this as a SD channel and automatically
stretches it.
720 in=720 out, or 1080 in=1080 out, your TV senses this as an HD
signal and goes wide screen.

"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
When you connect the HDMI cable, it might have set the STB back to
"fixed"output. Make sure it's set on "pass through". I can't remember,
but when I hooked up my HDMI cable, I first unplugged my STB, hooked up
the HDMI cable, then plugged the STB back in and let it reboot. It will
recognize the HDMI cable connected to it.
Right now your STB is outputting 1080i all the time, so when the TV
see 1080i, it goes HD wide screen all the time, even for your SD
channels, thus putting bars on the side. If you set it to "pass
through" it will output whatever was fed in. For example, 480 in = 480
out, then your tv recognizes this as a SD channel and automatically
stretches it.
720 in=720 out, or 1080 in=1080 out, your TV senses this as an HD
signal and goes wide screen.

I'm sorry (new to this group) by STB do you mean my cable converter box? If so
the only setup option that sounds remotely like what you describes is a setting
called RF Bypass which is currently set to "Off", but which does not allow me to
change it. Does that sound like the setting you're describing?

Thanks again;

Rick Brandt wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
When you connect the HDMI cable, it might have set the STB back to
"fixed"output. Make sure it's set on "pass through". I can't remember,
but when I hooked up my HDMI cable, I first unplugged my STB, hooked up
the HDMI cable, then plugged the STB back in and let it reboot. It will
recognize the HDMI cable connected to it.
Right now your STB is outputting 1080i all the time, so when the TV
see 1080i, it goes HD wide screen all the time, even for your SD
channels, thus putting bars on the side. If you set it to "pass
through" it will output whatever was fed in. For example, 480 in = 480
out, then your tv recognizes this as a SD channel and automatically
stretches it.
720 in=720 out, or 1080 in=1080 out, your TV senses this as an HD
signal and goes wide screen.

I'm sorry (new to this group) by STB do you mean my cable converter box? If so
the only setup option that sounds remotely like what you describes is a setting
called RF Bypass which is currently set to "Off", but which does not allow me to
change it. Does that sound like the setting you're describing?

Thanks again;

STB is set top box, or cable box. RF bypass is not what you are
looking for. What kind of STB do you have? Motorola? General Instrument?

"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
STB is set top box, or cable box. RF bypass is not what you are
looking for. What kind of STB do you have? Motorola? General Instrument?

It's a Motorola. In the configuration screen it indicates model DCT. Just in
case it is helpful here is everything on that screen...

Model: DCT
S/W Ver: 73.50
Message: 1325
Status: X6 0000 (this one is changing every few seconds)
A/B: Disabled
Output: 3
Region: 0
MCA: 0-13, 1-8206, 2-16681, 3-34307
Unit ID: 000-10895-06935-011
Disconnect: No
Return: RF
IPPV: Yes
Stereo: Unknown 3
IR Blast: Yes
Firmwa 10.13
NTSC/PAL: NTSC

Rick Brandt wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
STB is set top box, or cable box. RF bypass is not what you are
looking for. What kind of STB do you have? Motorola? General Instrument?

It's a Motorola. In the configuration screen it indicates model DCT. Just in
case it is helpful here is everything on that screen...

Model: DCT
S/W Ver: 73.50
Message: 1325
Status: X6 0000 (this one is changing every few seconds)
A/B: Disabled
Output: 3
Region: 0
MCA: 0-13, 1-8206, 2-16681, 3-34307
Unit ID: 000-10895-06935-011
Disconnect: No
Return: RF
IPPV: Yes
Stereo: Unknown 3
IR Blast: Yes
Firmwa 10.13
NTSC/PAL: NTSC

Rick, I'm not familiar with that STB. I have the General Instrument
STB. But you should be able to access the "settings" menu from your
remote. There should be an option called "picture format" . Then you
can choose from "fixed" or "pass through", or since the HDMI cable is
connected it might say "Auto".
If you still have problems, try unplugging the STB, wait 10 seconds,
then plug it back in and let it reboot. Do no turn on the STB or TV
until it has rebooted.
Let me know what happens.

"Mikepier" wrote in message
oups.com...
Rick, I'm not familiar with that STB. I have the General Instrument
STB. But you should be able to access the "settings" menu from your
remote. There should be an option called "picture format" . Then you
can choose from "fixed" or "pass through", or since the HDMI cable is
connected it might say "Auto".
If you still have problems, try unplugging the STB, wait 10 seconds,
then plug it back in and let it reboot. Do no turn on the STB or TV
until it has rebooted.
Let me know what happens.

Charter is apparently supplying a universal remote of some kind. It has
Charter's logo silk-screened on it, but not Motorola's and there is no Picture
Format button and the on-screen menus don't mention a screen format. The reboot
made no difference.

Thanks again. Hopefully I'll get an answer from them tomorrow. I tried their
phone support, but on the weekend you apparently get routed to off-shore support
(useless). I was transferred three times and then the connection was cut off.

I think on that STB you can access settings by hitting the menu button
on the STB when It's OFF. You can try that.

"Mikepier" wrote in message
ups.com...
I think on that STB you can access settings by hitting the menu button
on the STB when It's OFF. You can try that.

Hey! That was it. What a bizarre way to set that access up.

Thanks a ton.

Good on ya for helping him. It's always great to see a feller help a feller
and have their problem fixed in the end. pat on the back

The cable company probably would of run him around the block several times
and never got it corrected. LOL

Mikepier wrote:

I think on that STB you can access settings by hitting the menu button
on the STB when It's OFF. You can try that.




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