A question from an HDTV newbie

Hi all.

I just bought a new set -- Panasonic plasma 42 in -- and I like it a
lot... when I watch an HD programming. However, it seems to be
really inconvenient (and even irritating) with regards to regular
programs.

First of all, the manual advises against using 4 x 3 mode, since there
can be burnout. Alternatives? Either use zoom and loose half of the
image (and 3/4 of the quality), or steretch the image to the extent
where all the shapes have unnatural form.

Second, is there such a thing as 4 x 3 HD image? The cablevision
provides (supposedly HD) duplicates for a few chanels. Some of them
really look amasing, others look better than the original ones, but
still have 4 x 3 format, and yet otrhers seem to be stretched. What
can be going on here?

At some point in quite distant past I heard that all TV broadcast is
to be switched to HD. Is it still the plan or are we dummed to watch
stretched images for the rest of our lives?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Arkadiy

"Arkadiy" wrote

First of all, the manual advises against using 4 x 3 mode, since there
can be burnout. Alternatives? Either use zoom and loose half of the
image (and 3/4 of the quality), or steretch the image to the extent
where all the shapes have unnatural form.

Those are your choices, which is one reason I did not choose plasma.

Second, is there such a thing as 4 x 3 HD image?

Absolutely. It's just an image that was recorded in 4:3 being broadcast over
a HD channel. Happens all the time.

At some point in quite distant past I heard that all TV broadcast is to be
switched to HD.

Absolutely not. In 2009 all broadcasting in the U.S. will go digital, but
the conversion to HD is entirely a voluntary commercial decision by
broadcasters. HD and digital are not the same thing. Anything can be
broadcast in digital (including SD video, audio, data etc.). On the other
hand, HD video requires a digital signal.

"Dave Gower" wrote:

Second, is there such a thing as 4 x 3 HD image?

Absolutely. It's just an image that was recorded in 4:3 being broadcast over
a HD channel. Happens all the time.

Does this mean it is no different from 4:3 that I get on a regular
chanel? Or does it have a different resolution?

Thanks,
Arkadiy

Arkadiy ) wrote:
: Hi all.

: I just bought a new set -- Panasonic plasma 42 in -- and I like it a
: lot... when I watch an HD programming. However, it seems to be
: really inconvenient (and even irritating) with regards to regular
: programs.

: First of all, the manual advises against using 4 x 3 mode, since there
: can be burnout. Alternatives? Either use zoom and loose half of the
: image (and 3/4 of the quality), or steretch the image to the extent
: where all the shapes have unnatural form.

: Second, is there such a thing as 4 x 3 HD image? The cablevision
: provides (supposedly HD) duplicates for a few chanels. Some of them
: really look amasing, others look better than the original ones, but
: still have 4 x 3 format, and yet otrhers seem to be stretched. What
: can be going on here?

: At some point in quite distant past I heard that all TV broadcast is
: to be switched to HD. Is it still the plan or are we dummed to watch
: stretched images for the rest of our lives?

: Thanks in advance for any info.

: Arkadiy

To know if you are getting HD check the format - if it is 720p or 1080i it is
HD, otherwise it is just digital, not HD. You should be able to adjust the
picture width to avoid wide faces, I am surprised to hear that Panasonic
advises against leaving sides dark I thought that plasma people solved this
problem. LCD panels do not have the burn-in problem.
Cass

On 13 Mar 2007 20:20:21 GMT, Cass Lewart wrote:

LCD panels do not have the burn-in problem.

Don't be so sure. The the *first thing* in the manual for the 40" Samsung
LCD HDTV is a warning about burn-in, with all the gory details.

Pete

On Mar 13, 12:49 pm, Pete wrote:
On 13 Mar 2007 20:20:21 GMT, Cass Lewart wrote:

LCD panels do not have the burn-in problem.

Don't be so sure. The the *first thing* in the manual for the 40"
Samsung
LCD HDTV is a warning about burn-in, with all the gory details.

Pete

Yep.DLP is the only type totally free of burn issues.

GG

"Arkadiy" wrote in message
ups.com...
"Dave Gower" wrote:

Second, is there such a thing as 4 x 3 HD image?

Absolutely. It's just an image that was recorded in 4:3 being broadcast
over
a HD channel. Happens all the time.

Does this mean it is no different from 4:3 that I get on a regular
chanel? Or does it have a different resolution?

The signal can be in HD (1080i or 720p) but still be in 4:3 size. Also -
besides the screen size, the actual quality of something coming at you in HD
will differ from show-to-show. My local station's live news broadcasts in
720p 4:3 are HORRIBLE while a series like Desperate Housewives coming from
the same channel in 720p widescreen is superb.

Dave Gower wrote:
"Arkadiy" wrote


First of all, the manual advises against using 4 x 3 mode, since there
can be burnout. Alternatives? Either use zoom and loose half of the
image (and 3/4 of the quality), or steretch the image to the extent
where all the shapes have unnatural form.


Those are your choices, which is one reason I did not choose plasma.


Second, is there such a thing as 4 x 3 HD image?


Absolutely. It's just an image that was recorded in 4:3 being broadcast over
a HD channel. Happens all the time.


At some point in quite distant past I heard that all TV broadcast is to be
switched to HD.


Absolutely not. In 2009 all broadcasting in the U.S. will go digital, but
the conversion to HD is entirely a voluntary commercial decision by
broadcasters. HD and digital are not the same thing. Anything can be
broadcast in digital (including SD video, audio, data etc.). On the other
hand, HD video requires a digital signal.



Satellite direct to home broadcasting has always been digital.

All those digital artifacts people don't like about satellite signals
will be present in the digital broadcasts from your local OTA broadcast.

Those viewing a large screen TV will see larger artifacts. HD won't
hide defects.

Dave Gower wrote:

Satellite direct to home broadcasting has always been digital.

Actually, not. Reportedly, both Sky TV (in the U.K.) and Primestar (in the U.S.)
started out as analog and converted. (The two systems were not related.)


All those digital artifacts people don't like about satellite signals
will be present in the digital broadcasts from your local OTA broadcast.

There is no reason that the artifacts of over-compressed digital satellite
signals will be present in over the air broadcast. Many are finding just
the opposite to be the case; i.e. digital OTA produces a better picture.

Digital artifacts are the result of compression problems or insufficient
bandwidth to support the image. The DVD is an example of a digital system
that almost always shows excellent pictures.


Alan

"Peter H. Coffin" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 18:49:33 -0400, Stevie wrote:

The signal can be in HD (1080i or 720p) but still be in 4:3 size.
Also - besides the screen size, the actual quality of something
coming at you in HD will differ from show-to-show. My local station's
live news broadcasts in 720p 4:3 are HORRIBLE while a series like
Desperate Housewives coming from the same channel in 720p widescreen
is superb.

Maybe they haven't bought HD studio gear yet, and are just upscaling
same NTSC stuff they always had.

That must be it. It's terrible. Worse than most SD channels.