Am I receiving HD???

HDpig2 · 10-13-2006, 10:42 AM

Hi:

My parents baught a Samsung HDTV and received a special offer from Rogers for digital cable on their Scientific Atlanta cable box.

However, after everything is set up, I tuned into channel 508 which broadcasts an HD version of OMNI (it's called HDOM1 in the box). But what I saw on screen was butt-ugly. There are two gray horiztontal bars running top and bottom, and there are two black vertical bars rnning left and right, so the picture is cropped off on all four sides and the resulting picture looks more like a regular TV broadcast. Some of the programs still look kind of pixellated. In other words, it's looks nowhere near as good as the HDTV demo programs that I saw playing on those HDTVs in Future Shop.

Interestingly, during the commercial segments, the left and right vertical black bars disappear and some of the commercials are SURPRISINGLY SHARP, getting to the quality of the HDTV demos I saw in Futureshop, however, the top and bottom gray strips remain and the black bars/pixellation return as soon as normal programming resumes.

Furthermore, according to my Samsung HDTV's display, I'm receiving my HD signals on the "video source" called "AV2", is this the right source to be receiving HD signals??? Shouldn't there be a video source called "HD1" or something???

Anyways, my biggest question is how do I tell if I'm looking at authentic HD definition broadcast? Are the "HD demos" they run at Future Shop looping endlessly on nature and travel documentaries truly HD?

I'm so sooooo confused, any insight would be greatly appreciated.

HDpig2

nocaster · 10-13-2006, 11:11 AM

You are seeing an SD program on a digital channel with HD commercials thrown in. If you see a letterbox SD program you will get the pillar boxes on the sides and the letterboxes on the top and bottom. This is all normal stuff and you will get used to it. Also, you will know an HD program when you see it.

pjc · 10-13-2006, 11:59 AM

I agree with nocaster. If you watch an HD channel and what they are broadcasting is not in HD, you will get the bars. I just bought a Samsung LCD and choose to watch it with bars for SD. Somewhere on the remote, you should be able to "stretch" the picture so it fills the screen if you like. It's not as crisp though.

What kind of cable box do you have? Mine had gray bars and I changed them to black because it was easier on my eyes. If it's the SA 8300HD, hit up twice on the "settings" button and then look for an option that says "borders". Change the borders from "light" or "medium" to "dark". This will change the bars to black. Keep in mind, some of the HD channels transmit their own bars as part of the signal. CBS sends theirs as gray bars, so even if you change your settings to black bars, you may occasionally see gray bars on HD channels.

Pete

HDpig · 10-13-2006, 12:05 PM

Thanks all for reply.

I'm going home in about 3 hours, so I'll look up the make and model of my cable box when I get home and post them here.

The HDpig activation mail was a bit delayed so that's why I posted with HDpig2 first.

HDpig

omeletpants · 11-09-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjc

What kind of cable box do you have? Mine had gray bars and I changed them to black because it was
easier on my eyes. If it's the SA 8300HD, hit up twice on the "settings" button and then look for an option that says "borders". Change the borders from "light" or "medium" to "dark". This will change the bars to black. Keep in mind, some of the HD channels transmit their own bars as part of the signal. CBS sends theirs as gray bars, so even if you change your settings to black bars, you may occasionally see gray bars on HD channels.

Pete

Thanks I have been looking everywhere to see if the 8300 will produce gray side bars

mfabien · 11-10-2006, 05:01 AM

HDpig2,

You must select an input which either has Component cables, normally called HD1 and HD2, or an input called DVI or HDMI to get reception of HD signals in your TV. So, do you have such cables?

Zoll · 11-14-2006, 01:06 PM

HDpig2, I agree with mfabien, you're probably connected via regular RCA video cables since your TV input says AV2. Take a look behind your cable box and search for HDMI, DVI or component outputs. Buy the appropriate cable and see the difference! That show you were watching was probably standard definition...wich happens even on HD channels, the commercial was probably HD, but with a regular RCA cables, you won't see in true HD.

**rbinck** · 11-14-2006, 02:47 PM

It will be helpful to get the model # of the TV and the cable box.

nuttyinnyc · 11-15-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDpig2

Hi:

My parents baught a Samsung HDTV and received a special offer from Rogers for digital cable on their Scientific Atlanta cable box.

However, after everything is set up, I tuned into channel 508 which broadcasts an HD version of OMNI (it's called HDOM1 in the box). But what I saw on screen was butt-ugly. There are two gray horiztontal bars running top and bottom, and there are two black vertical bars rnning left and right, so the picture is cropped off on all four sides and the resulting picture looks more like a regular TV broadcast. Some of the programs still look kind of pixellated. In other words, it's looks nowhere near as good as the HDTV demo programs that I saw playing on those HDTVs in Future Shop.

Interestingly, during the commercial segments, the left and right vertical black bars disappear and some of the commercials are SURPRISINGLY SHARP, getting to the quality of the HDTV demos I saw in Futureshop, however, the top and bottom gray strips remain and the black bars/pixellation return as soon as normal programming resumes.

Furthermore, according to my Samsung HDTV's display, I'm receiving my HD signals on the "video source" called "AV2", is this the right source to be receiving HD signals??? Shouldn't there be a video source called "HD1" or something???

Anyways, my biggest question is how do I tell if I'm looking at authentic HD definition broadcast? Are the "HD demos" they run at Future Shop looping endlessly on nature and travel documentaries truly HD?

I'm so sooooo confused, any insight would be greatly appreciated.

HDpig2

if you have the Grey bar on the top and bottom you have the wrong cables period, don't go searching, don't go crazy. You just need to connect the SA box, with HDMI(HDMI to HDMI or HDMI to DVI) or Component cables. That is the only way to watch HDTV. First you need to make sure you have an SAHD box. You should have one if you are even accessing the HD channels but just in case. It would say SA#then HD on the box. If you do not have that you will not get any HD shows. Go to your Cable provider and switch the box, usually for no charge with as long as you are getting DTV already. But as for the the Grey bars on the Left and right, everyone is right about them above. The commercials and some programing is not shot in 16x9 so it goes back to the 4x3 with the Grey bars. Also the SA boxes do not give you an option to change the bars so you will see either black and/or Grey.
One problem to expect also once you get this one solved. You will notice a delay in changing the channel between HD to SD channels. That is the TV processing the signal, you can let the TV do it or the cable box. If you want the cable box to do it and there will not be any delay. Press settings, more settings then output. Set your output to 1080i only and the delay will not happen. But remember that doesn't mean all channels are coming in 1080i like the TV will display.
Good luck man, you have a good TV, but these TV's aren't plug and play anymore so there is a little work before you truly enjoy it.

wsteinhauer · 11-16-2006, 11:16 AM

To simply re-state the above info..

An AV, composite , or S-video connection does not support an HD signal.

10-13-2006, 10:42 AM	#1
HDpig2 What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1	Am I receiving HD??? Hi: My parents baught a Samsung HDTV and received a special offer from Rogers for digital cable on their Scientific Atlanta cable box. However, after everything is set up, I tuned into channel 508 which broadcasts an HD version of OMNI (it's called HDOM1 in the box). But what I saw on screen was butt-ugly. There are two gray horiztontal bars running top and bottom, and there are two black vertical bars rnning left and right, so the picture is cropped off on all four sides and the resulting picture looks more like a regular TV broadcast. Some of the programs still look kind of pixellated. In other words, it's looks nowhere near as good as the HDTV demo programs that I saw playing on those HDTVs in Future Shop. Interestingly, during the commercial segments, the left and right vertical black bars disappear and some of the commercials are SURPRISINGLY SHARP, getting to the quality of the HDTV demos I saw in Futureshop, however, the top and bottom gray strips remain and the black bars/pixellation return as soon as normal programming resumes. Furthermore, according to my Samsung HDTV's display, I'm receiving my HD signals on the "video source" called "AV2", is this the right source to be receiving HD signals??? Shouldn't there be a video source called "HD1" or something??? Anyways, my biggest question is how do I tell if I'm looking at authentic HD definition broadcast? Are the "HD demos" they run at Future Shop looping endlessly on nature and travel documentaries truly HD? I'm so sooooo confused, any insight would be greatly appreciated. HDpig2

10-13-2006, 12:05 PM	#4
HDpig What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1	Thanks Thanks all for reply. I'm going home in about 3 hours, so I'll look up the make and model of my cable box when I get home and post them here. The HDpig activation mail was a bit delayed so that's why I posted with HDpig2 first. HDpig

11-10-2006, 05:01 AM	#6
mfabien High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,087	HDpig2, You must select an input which either has Component cables, normally called HD1 and HD2, or an input called DVI or HDMI to get reception of HD signals in your TV. So, do you have such cables? __________________ Samsung LN52B750, SA8300HD, Energy speakers, Yamaha RX-V540, SVS PB12-ISD, Harmony 880, HD-A1, BDP-1400, Oppo DV-970HD, Zektor HDS4.1

11-14-2006, 02:47 PM	#8
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,338	It will be helpful to get the model # of the TV and the cable box. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

11-16-2006, 11:16 AM	#10
wsteinhauer HD is what? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 40	To simply re-state the above info.. An AV, composite , or S-video connection does not support an HD signal. __________________ Vizio 47 LCD Tivo 2 Sherwood VR670 Comcast HD DVR

10-13-2006, 11:11 AM	#2
nocaster High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 35	You are seeing an SD program on a digital channel with HD commercials thrown in. If you see a letterbox SD program you will get the pillar boxes on the sides and the letterboxes on the top and bottom. This is all normal stuff and you will get used to it. Also, you will know an HD program when you see it.

10-13-2006, 11:59 AM	#3
pjc High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,108	I agree with nocaster. If you watch an HD channel and what they are broadcasting is not in HD, you will get the bars. I just bought a Samsung LCD and choose to watch it with bars for SD. Somewhere on the remote, you should be able to "stretch" the picture so it fills the screen if you like. It's not as crisp though. What kind of cable box do you have? Mine had gray bars and I changed them to black because it was easier on my eyes. If it's the SA 8300HD, hit up twice on the "settings" button and then look for an option that says "borders". Change the borders from "light" or "medium" to "dark". This will change the bars to black. Keep in mind, some of the HD channels transmit their own bars as part of the signal. CBS sends theirs as gray bars, so even if you change your settings to black bars, you may occasionally see gray bars on HD channels. Pete

11-14-2006, 01:06 PM	#7
Zoll What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1	HDpig2, I agree with mfabien, you're probably connected via regular RCA video cables since your TV input says AV2. Take a look behind your cable box and search for HDMI, DVI or component outputs. Buy the appropriate cable and see the difference! That show you were watching was probably standard definition...wich happens even on HD channels, the commercial was probably HD, but with a regular RCA cables, you won't see in true HD.