BBC 1 through Sky + box or my old On Digital box fills the screen in 16:9 mode, but analogue BBC via my terrestrial aerial leaves a black band top and bottom (About an inch top and bottom). Is this correct?
New To Widescreen..Is This Right??
Sort of. Does your TV have an auto mode? That way it will always stay in 4:3 unless it detects a widescreen signal and then will switch to 16:9. However it sounds like it is constantly in 16:9.
Also, make sure that your sky box/on digital box is set to 16:9 in the settings, otherwise you will be missing half the picture and getting squashed people on the screen! See here for examples and more help - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/widescreen/
Also, make sure that your sky box/on digital box is set to 16:9 in the settings, otherwise you will be missing half the picture and getting squashed people on the screen! See here for examples and more help - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/widescreen/
Yes, it's set to auto mode, and my Sky + box is set to 16:9.. So, terrestrial analogue is not broadcast in 16:9, but 14:9, and that is why I'm getting the black bar top and bottom, but on digital (Terrestrial or Sky), it is broadcast in 'true' 16:9, right?
Yep, thats right 
also analogue will probably look a bit squished if it is being stretched out to fill the screen.
Although the proper way to do it is to have black bars down the sides (known as pillarbox) many poeple do not like this for some reason, although you become quickly used to it!
also analogue will probably look a bit squished if it is being stretched out to fill the screen. Although the proper way to do it is to have black bars down the sides (known as pillarbox) many poeple do not like this for some reason, although you become quickly used to it!
You can blame my wife for the question! We were watching our trusty old 4:3 set last week (E.R, I think), and we could either watch it in letterbox mode (big black bars top and bottom) or have the sides of the picture cut off by quite a lot... I saw this as my chance to bring up the possibility of going widescreen...She ok'd it, and the first time she switches it on-BBC has bars top and bottom!!!
I must admit, I do miss the extra height the 4:3 set gave me...I know I'd have got a similar height with a 32" widescreen, but it was outsaide my price range..I'll get used to it eventaually, but right now, I feel like I'm watching on a portable set!!
I must admit, I do miss the extra height the 4:3 set gave me...I know I'd have got a similar height with a 32" widescreen, but it was outsaide my price range..I'll get used to it eventaually, but right now, I feel like I'm watching on a portable set!!
Originally Posted by inabsentia:
“You can blame my wife for the question! We were watching our trusty old 4:3 set last week (E.R, I think), and we could either watch it in letterbox mode (big black bars top and bottom) or have the sides of the picture cut off by quite a lot... I saw this as my chance to bring up the possibility of going widescreen...She ok'd it, and the first time she switches it on-BBC has bars top and bottom!!!
I must admit, I do miss the extra height the 4:3 set gave me...I know I'd have got a similar height with a 32" widescreen, but it was outsaide my price range..I'll get used to it eventaually, but right now, I feel like I'm watching on a portable set!!”
“You can blame my wife for the question! We were watching our trusty old 4:3 set last week (E.R, I think), and we could either watch it in letterbox mode (big black bars top and bottom) or have the sides of the picture cut off by quite a lot... I saw this as my chance to bring up the possibility of going widescreen...She ok'd it, and the first time she switches it on-BBC has bars top and bottom!!!
I must admit, I do miss the extra height the 4:3 set gave me...I know I'd have got a similar height with a 32" widescreen, but it was outsaide my price range..I'll get used to it eventaually, but right now, I feel like I'm watching on a portable set!!”
Yep. Thats how most people feel when they first get their set. But trust me once you get used to it you'll LOVE IT!
Also do remember that films are usually shown in aspects even *longer* than 16:9 (not the correct terminology but you know what i mean) and so even with a widescreen telly you'll get black bars at the top and bottom. Lord of the Rings for instance! However, because it is so wide it can create some stunning scenes.
