Re: New MC display options for 2009?

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Curious,
I think you are right on in identifying a problem for MC users who will be using OTA digital cards starting in February 2009. And I agree with you that if a center-cut zoom option was available today in MC for HD resolution broadcasts of SD programs then the very common PQ complete of new MC users who buy systems with high resolution LCD monitors when watching SD programs received with an analog channel could be eliminated
I considered the possibility that some networks might transmit SD programs over one of the their SD sub channels in addition to up scaling them to HD resolutions for use on their primary digital channel.
However, I do not know of any that are doing this and since the MC EPG only contains a networks primary digital channel it would not be a possible for MC users.
"Curious" <spammenot@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:547AC54F-C668-4E71-8090-EFC0CCEA8E4C@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The key reason for my concern it that all of the major networks transmit only at HD resolution 720p or 1080i on their primary digital channel. All programs both HD and SD will therefore need to be shown in letterbox format on 4:3 aspect displays by Media Center. This is because MC does not currently have a center cut zoom display mode that which cut off the sides of a HD resolution transmissions of a SD programs which just contain black bars. Only MC users with OTA digital tuners will be effected by this. However I expect that a lot of US MC users will replace their NTSC analog tuners with ATSC tuners when the OTA analog broadcasts end instead of switching to cable to get full screen displays of SD programs
I understand that the inexpensive conversion boxes available by 2009 will have this capability however it also appears that they will only output in SD S-video and/or composite format.
The thread I provided the link to contains a lot more information about this subject.


"Jaime" <nospamfor-jaimelobo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:e51a8fuCIHA.5600@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I think you're confusing a couple of different things. The deadline has to do with all broadcasters switching to a digital signal, this has nothing to do with whether the signal is HD or SD. If you have digital cable now, all the stations (HD and SD) are digital. Many station will continue to be SD long after the switch to digital.

Also, the FCC only governs the broadcasters, many cable companies will continue to send their signal down the pipe in analog for some time after the deadline.

But you are correct that if you are receiving your signal by an antenna with an analog card, you will be out of luck after the deadline, unless you get a conversion box.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), FL


"Curious" <spammenot@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:848C9DCD-CD85-4F04-B6EE-FCC6A7CDE118@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In February 2009 OTA analog TV programs will cease.
The following thread at the AVSforum has a lot of information on display options for use at that time especially options to not have to use Letterbox format to see HD resolution programs on 4:3 aspect displays some of these options are curretnly available on standalong OTA ATSC digital tuner STBs

If Vista MC currently also had the ability to perform a CenterCut Zoom on HD programs MC would be able to provide much better SD programs on high resolution PC monitors since it could use the SD program upscaled by the expensive video processing equipment used by the networks to upscale SD programs for showing on their primay digital channels by using a HDTV tuner card or a cable card tuner instead of having to use the upscaling capabilites of the MC PC's graphics card.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919828

Does anyone know if MS plans to release any nes MC display options prior to February 2009 to resolve some of the issues discussed in the AVSForum thread?





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Relevant Pages

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