Help with VIZIO non-HD TV modes

[neelb]

I recently bought a Vizio 42" LCD tv. The HD quality is great, but when I switch to non-HD channels while watching via my cable box (connected via HDMI) it only lets me choose between two modes: 'Wide' which shows the black bars on the right and left and 'Zoom' which cuts off part of the image on all 4 sides. However, if I switch to the direct TV input (coaxial) it lets me choose 'Panoramic' mode which stretches the non-HD image horizontally, similarly to all other HDTVs I've seen. Is there any way to get around this? It is quite annoying.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I dont have your answer but I wanted to say welcome to the forums ive never gotten a 1st poster before. :beer:

 

[montypythizzle]

My Motorola HD DVR automatically stretches the image to fit.

 

[PurdueRy]

My thinking is that the non-HD stations you are tuning to are digital. Most TV's have limited ability to stretch these. The stations from your directTV might be analog which allows you to have the normal options.

 

[montypythizzle]

The only time I get 4:3 is when I am on the HD channels and 4:3 material comes on. 4:3 on the regular channels is stretched with virctually any distortion, unless you are used to a 4:3 TV.

 

[neelb]

You guys are all using Vizios? My cable box is also a Motorola HD DVR (Comcast), but it does not stretch the images. I do have digital cable so does that mean the non-HD stations are digital? I don't understand why the TV could not stretch these--I have several friends with other HDTVs and the same cable box and their TVs automatically stretch the non-HD stations. Is there possibly a setting on the cable box? Monthpythizzle--what type of cable are you using to connect the cable box to TV? (One clarifying note: when i said direct TV i meant simply the connection that feeds directly from the cable outlet, not the satellite provider DirecTV)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
The only time I get 4:3 is when I am on the HD channels and 4:3 material comes on. 4:3 on the regular channels is stretched with virctually any distortion, unless you are used to a 4:3 TV.

I am talking about OTA digital channels

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: neelb
You guys are all using Vizios? My cable box is also a Motorola HD DVR (Comcast), but it does not stretch the images. I do have digital cable so does that mean the non-HD stations are digital? I don't understand why the TV could not stretch these--I have several friends with other HDTVs and the same cable box and their TVs automatically stretch the non-HD stations. Is there possibly a setting on the cable box? Monthpythizzle--what type of cable are you using to connect the cable box to TV? (One clarifying note: when i said direct TV i meant simply the connection that feeds directly from the cable outlet, not the satellite provider DirecTV)

I have a Vizio 42" LCD and a Comcast Moto HD DVR box. What you need to do is power off the Moto box, then hit the menu button on it. You'll see the advanced settings menu for the Moto box. From there, you can set the SD stations to how you like it.

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: JohnAn2112

Originally posted by: neelb
You guys are all using Vizios? My cable box is also a Motorola HD DVR (Comcast), but it does not stretch the images. I do have digital cable so does that mean the non-HD stations are digital? I don't understand why the TV could not stretch these--I have several friends with other HDTVs and the same cable box and their TVs automatically stretch the non-HD stations. Is there possibly a setting on the cable box? Monthpythizzle--what type of cable are you using to connect the cable box to TV? (One clarifying note: when i said direct TV i meant simply the connection that feeds directly from the cable outlet, not the satellite provider DirecTV)

I have a Vizio 42" LCD and a Comcast Moto HD DVR box. What you need to do is power off the Moto box, then hit the menu button on it. You'll see the advanced settings menu for the Moto box. From there, you can set the SD stations to how you like it.

Win.
Make 4:3 480p or w/e because it makes weird lines at bottom of screen (on white images) when it is just stretched to 1080i. It may just be problem with TV but it doesn't do it in 480p.

Make the main res whatever you want it to be though.

I use component but it should apply to both outputs.