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New Contributor
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Letterbox bars on all 4 sides of picture
My tv will letterbox all 4 sides of most of the regular (not HD) channels. (I think this is called 'windowboxing'). I do understand it's an aspect ratio thing, with the 4:3 fitting in the 16:9 widescreen tv screen, but why won't it expand enough to just have the black bars on the sides or the top & bottom instead of all 4 sides? This makes my picture on a 32" tv really small. I've adjusted the aspect ratio on both the cable box and the TV, but it doesn't change what's on my screen. HD channels & Netflix, etc, fill the screen well - it's just the regular channels that are shrunk down. Is there a setting I'm missing? I have an HDMI connection between my TV and the cable box.
Thanks
Domino
Valued Contributor III
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This is the result of 16:9 video being "squeezed" to fit onto a SD (4:3) channel, then being displayed on a 16:9 ratio display. Nothing you can do about it other than using a ZOOM (not STRETCH) feature on your TV or cable box (if available.) You're SOL if you are using Trio (Contour) and your TV has no ZOOM function. Trio (Contour) supports STRETCH, but not ZOOM.
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sammi
New Contributor
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Darn, I was afraid of that. My tv is from 2009 - do newer TVs have the same issue? (Kinda hoping to justify a new one ) thanks!
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Domino
Valued Contributor III
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Yes, but "newer" TVs (like my 8 year-old Sony) may have stretch/zoom buttons to compensate for letter-boxed or picture-framed video. Your 2009 TV has no "zoom" feature?
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sammi
New Contributor
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My tv does have the zoom but the picture isn't very good and it seems to cut off the top and bottom:(. I'll play around with the settings more... At least I know what causes it, which helps! Thanks!
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