westinghouse 32 lcd hd channels not fitting screen

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 06:45 PM

Hi, I've reviewed some of the Stickies and couldn't find a resolution to my problem. I have a 32 inch Westinghouse HD TV and on the HD channels I have bars on the left and right, and top and bottom of the screen. The HD cable box (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250 HDC) is set to "Normal 1080i" and the aspect ratio in the TV settings is set to "Standard". Even if I change the cable box to "Normal" or "Stretch", nothing changes. The only change that I can make is set the TV to "Fill", which stretches the screen, but there's still bars at the top and bottom.

I just replaced the HD box with the same results, so I doubt it's the box.

Am I missing something here? Any help is greatly appreciated.

bubbis

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 06:47 PM

How do you have the cable box connected to the TV? Be specific...ie, number of wires, color(s), etc.

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

How do you have the cable box connected to the TV? Be specific...ie, number of wires, color(s), etc.

LOL, a yellow-headed RCA cable going from 'Video Out' on the HD box into the 'Video' input on the TV. There's an "HDTV" output on the box; am i supposed to be using this???

Thanks so much for responding!

bubbis

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbisthedog

LOL, a yellow-headed RCA cable going from 'Video Out' on the HD box into the 'Video' input on the TV. There's an "HDTV" output on the box; am i supposed to be using this???

Thanks so much for responding!

bubbis

Yes, the HD outputs are what you should be using and the reason you are having problems with screen size. You are currently using composite (yellow cable) which is the lowest common denominator for video. It is not capable of displaying HD.

You want to use either component video (red, green, blue) or HDMI. If you use component you will also have to connect audio cables (red, white) which you probably already have connected so no problem there.

If you don't have the necessary cables, instead of paying the high prices charged in retail stores, www.monoprice.com will have the high quality cables you need at very reasonable prices. Their shipping is pretty fast also.

Hope this helps.

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 07:15 PM

Loves2Watch, fantastic information for this HD moron. I'll get the appropriate cables, and definitely check out the site that you suggested. What's funny is that the cable company had me replace the box and never mentioned that the cables could be the reason. Pathetic.

Thanks so much for the detailed information and your polite patience.

bubbis

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbisthedog

Loves2Watch, fantastic information for this HD moron. I'll get the appropriate cables, and definitely check out the site that you suggested. What's funny is that the cable company had me replace the box and never mentioned that the cables could be the reason. Pathetic.

Thanks so much for the detailed information and your polite patience.

bubbis

That's what we are here for, to help, share and learn. Good luck and let us know how everything works out...

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 07:21 PM

UPDATE: I did find an S-Video cable and hooked that up. The video quality seems better but the screen is still 'boxed in.' I think I'll go with HDMI.

bubbis

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbisthedog

UPDATE: I did find an S-Video cable and hooked that up. The video quality seems better but the screen is still 'boxed in.' I think I'll go with HDMI.

bubbis

S-Video will not do HD either.

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 07:51 PM

HAHA, I looked at what I was using for my audio cables and noticed they included a green-headed one not hooked up and, thanks to your help, had a eureka moment. I already had a component cable. LOL.

So I used the RCA cable to transmit the sound and plugged the green-headed cable from the HDTV output into a "Y" input on the TV and it now fills the screen!

However... The screen is now black and white? Why is this?

Getting there!

bubbis

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbisthedog

HAHA, I looked at what I was using for my audio cables and noticed they included a green-headed one not hooked up and, thanks to your help, had a eureka moment. I already had a component cable. LOL.

So I used the RCA cable to transmit the sound and plugged the green-headed cable from the HDTV output into a "Y" input on the TV and it now fills the screen!

However... The screen is now black and white? Why is this?

Getting there!

bubbis

From the box to the TV.red to red, blue to blue, green to green.

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

From the box to the TV.red to red, blue to blue, green to green.

That did it!

I only had the green one connected.

They should hire you as a consultant at the cable company! You rock, thanks so much for helping me.

Is there anything I can do to log that you solved my problem (some sites award points, etc.)?

Thanks,

bubbis

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbisthedog

That did it!

I only had the green one connected.

They should hire you as a consultant at the cable company! You rock, thanks so much for helping me.

Is there anything I can do to log that you solved my problem (some sites award points, etc.)?

Thanks,

bubbis

No and it isn't necessary, I was glad to help. Enjoy

**PFC5** · 09-03-2009, 08:28 PM

L2W is a great member who is very knowledgeable and helps many people. We all already know this, and his only reward is that he helps others since we do not get paid for helping others here. Yet he still continues this as do many others as well. That is what makes this site such a great place to go to for help!

Loves2Watch · 09-03-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

L2W is a great member who is very knowledgeable and helps many people. We all already know this, and his only reward is that he helps others since we do not get paid for helping others here. Yet he still continues this as do many others as well. That is what makes this site such a great place to go to for help!

And no one even knows who I am. If they did...

bubbisthedog · 09-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Notice how the cable company thought, *Must be a defective cable box*, whereas the obvious first inquiry from L2W was, *How are they connecting from the cable box to the TV?* Seems rudimentary now that I think about it...

FYI: I'm writing the cable company to let them know about this. This should be troubleshooting 101.

Regards,

bubbis

09-03-2009, 06:45 PM	#1
bubbisthedog My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	westinghouse 32 lcd hd channels not fitting screen Hi, I've reviewed some of the Stickies and couldn't find a resolution to my problem. I have a 32 inch Westinghouse HD TV and on the HD channels I have bars on the left and right, and top and bottom of the screen. The HD cable box (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250 HDC) is set to "Normal 1080i" and the aspect ratio in the TV settings is set to "Standard". Even if I change the cable box to "Normal" or "Stretch", nothing changes. The only change that I can make is set the TV to "Fill", which stretches the screen, but there's still bars at the top and bottom. I just replaced the HD box with the same results, so I doubt it's the box. Am I missing something here? Any help is greatly appreciated. bubbis

09-03-2009, 06:47 PM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,972	How do you have the cable box connected to the TV? Be specific...ie, number of wires, color(s), etc. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

09-03-2009, 08:28 PM	#13
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,401	L2W is a great member who is very knowledgeable and helps many people. We all already know this, and his only reward is that he helps others since we do not get paid for helping others here. Yet he still continues this as do many others as well. That is what makes this site such a great place to go to for help! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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09-03-2009, 07:15 PM	#5
bubbisthedog My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Loves2Watch, fantastic information for this HD moron. I'll get the appropriate cables, and definitely check out the site that you suggested. What's funny is that the cable company had me replace the box and never mentioned that the cables could be the reason. Pathetic. Thanks so much for the detailed information and your polite patience. bubbis

09-03-2009, 07:21 PM	#7
bubbisthedog My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	UPDATE: I did find an S-Video cable and hooked that up. The video quality seems better but the screen is still 'boxed in.' I think I'll go with HDMI. bubbis

09-03-2009, 07:51 PM	#9
bubbisthedog My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	HAHA, I looked at what I was using for my audio cables and noticed they included a green-headed one not hooked up and, thanks to your help, had a eureka moment. I already had a component cable. LOL. So I used the RCA cable to transmit the sound and plugged the green-headed cable from the HDTV output into a "Y" input on the TV and it now fills the screen! However... The screen is now black and white? Why is this? Getting there! bubbis

09-03-2009, 08:41 PM	#15
bubbisthedog My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Notice how the cable company thought, Must be a defective cable box, whereas the obvious first inquiry from L2W was, How are they connecting from the cable box to the TV? Seems rudimentary now that I think about it... FYI: I'm writing the cable company to let them know about this. This should be troubleshooting 101. Regards, bubbis