Re: EDTV, MCE and Time-Warner HD set top box

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Fred (Fred_at_no.Spam)
Date: 03/21/04 

Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 09:38:23 -0800

1. The native or actual physical resolution of your EDTV is 852x480 and
there is no way you can make it higher. It will accept higher resoution
signals such as HDTV 720p which is 1280x720 but has to throw away enought
rows and columns of resolution to get down to 852x480. ( thats over half of
the pixels of data in the case of 720p).

2. Since MCE 2004 does not accept or handle HDTV video adding a HIgh Def
Cable box will only give you the capability of sending Standard Definition
(SDTV) signals to your MCE via an S-Video connection.

3. You should also be aware that a lot of programs, especially on the major
networks, are still transmitted on their HDTV channels as SDTV video so they
are not in widescreen format. See www.titantv.com for HDTV program listings
for the networks for details.

4. If your EDTV has a stretch function for to expand 4:3 video into 16:9
vidieo then you should send data to in 640x480 SDTV format and have the EDTV
stretch the picture to fit the screen. This will of course make items
appear to be wider than they are but if you want to see the whole image and
have no black bars your only option is to stretch the video. Your EDTV may
have 2 stretch options, linear (all images are stretched by the same
percentage) and non- linear ( the images in the center are stretched less
than the images on the left and right sides) The non- linear stretch is
better for programs where the action takes place in the middle such as news
and most movies. The linear stretch is better for sports events and any
programs such as Financial programs which have a stock ticker on the bottom
in marque mode.

5. Your video/graphics card may also have the ability to stretch the image
so you can send it in 852x480 format or there is 3rd party software for such
as Powerstrip which can do it.

"Wader" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2F815AAA-9AD7-45E0-92E5-58773D686304@microsoft.com...
> Hi All, I have a EDTV plasma connected to a HP Media Center via a DVI
> cable. Will resolution and aspect ratio improve if I use a High Def cable
> box? What output from the cable box should I use to the PC?
> I currently have the resolution set on the PC to 848x400 which is as close
> to the 852x400 that the panel will manage. When I watch TV in full screen
> mode, I get black bars on the both sides, which I can't stand. I was told
> if I get HD signal, I will get wide aspect ratio. What do you all think?
> Thanks,

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