Kevm

Hello, just got my DCT3412 (comcast) yesterday. The tech that installed it was a nice enough guy, but an obvious box jockey with no idea whatsoever of how the thing should be set up. So I want to ask the pros here for some suggestions.

I have a wide screen HDTV from HP which I currently have set to stretch mode which does stretch the 4.3 broadcasts out to full scrren and says in the manual that it displays hi def programming at its correct resolution.

I have left the set top box settings at default, but have no Idea if they are optimally set. I can access them from the menu, but have not changed anything.

I know that when I look at channels like espn hd or comcast sportsnet hd, that the times I have seen them, they look hd, but have the sidebars which say hd on the bar. discovery HD is always widescreen and looks great.

Can anyone give me a suggestion on if I need to change any settings on the box of where they should be set?

secondly, I have heard some things about leaving the set top box on all of the time and just turning the tv off. What is the common practice here? also, if the box is turned off, will it turn its power on to record on the dvr if a recording is scheduled?

If turning everything off is there an order in which you should do so? and also when turning things on, any order?

Finally, I am considering the harmony remote that walmart carries. the 500 series. will this help wioth simplification? I will have the TV,the comcast box, a dvd / vhs combo and a progressive scan dvd player hooked up.

Thank you