Sanyo HT32744 & DCT6200 & HDTV ???'s

I have the DCT6200 connected to the Sanyo via the Comp3 Input for HD (Comcast New England), as well as through the VCR to the Analog Antenna Input.

The DCT is configured for:
TV Type = 4:3 Letterbox
Y Pb Pr Output = 1080i
4:3 override = 480p

I also have the incoming cable split prior to the DCT and fed into the Digital Antenna on the TV, giving me a dozen or so digital (HD?) channels, mostly the local broadcast stations (and the only way to utilize the TV's PAP feature since one of the signals MUST come from the Digital input).

What's frustrating me the most is that when I view chan X on the digital input, the TV presets the screen to letterbox size. Choosing the standard version of chan X on the Analog input gives the proper 4:3 full size display. The problem comes when viewing the Comp3 signals. The standard chan X is 4:3 full size, but the HD chan X gives me a Pillar Box (full height w/black bars left and right), instead of the HD letterbox. This causes me to have to use the TV's PIX SHAPE button to get the correct display format. The family absolutey hates me for this! :eek:

So... is this a function of the DCT's Comp output, the TV's Comp3 input, or the result of some faulty setting in one/both of the two devices? Would a DVI-to-HDMI cable give me any better/different results?

Finally, what's the deal with HDTV channels? Currently, not all programming is HD-ready, correct? On the major networks, only certain prime-time shows are truely HD (or it least that's how I'm interpreting the local details). Are all HD broadcast signals supposed to be 16:9 format? Is there a definitive answer to this question? Is there a good, easy to understand reference where I can learn everything I need to know about HDTV?

Thanks in advance to any and all help with these issues.

A lot of questions, I'll try to tackle them.

HD/digital stations do not always have HD programs. Your locals probably only have primetime shows (at best) and sports in HD. ESPNHD is limited to certain live games and sportscenter. Only stations like Discovery HD, Bravo HD, TNT HD, HDNet are 24/7 HD. They are currently the minority.

The black bars on the side is what happens when an HD station is showing a non-HD program. You can either watch it with bars, or stretch it to your liking. This occurence is probably a function of your HD box, since it recognizes the station as an HD one and shows it in 16:9 format even though the program doesn't fill the screen.

I'd recommend using a DVI-HDMI cable anyway to increase the quality of connection between your HD box and your HDTV. Component cables use analog technology, while DVI and HDMI use digital technology.

www.computercablestore.com

The above link has some of the best prices around for an HDMI/DVI cable, even with shipping. Use should see a noticable (not huge) difference in your HD picture quality with the better connection.

HD/digital stations do not always have HD programs.Yeah, I'm finding this out for myself... :confused:


The black bars on the side is what happens when an HD station is showing a non-HD program.I understand that HD programming must be produced in HD in order to be viewed in HD. I guess what I'm not sure of though is whether standard programming broadcast on an HD channel is upconverted or sent in it's raw format.


You can either watch it with bars, or stretch it to your liking. This occurence is probably a function of your HD box, since it recognizes the station as an HD one and shows it in 16:9 format even though the program doesn't fill the screen.By "HD box", I assume you mean the DCT6200? If so, I guess that means that Comcast is sending the particular channel as a 1080i HD signal regardless of the content, which is why the TV can't auto-select the proper display format? When the same channel is viewed through the TV's built-in digital tuner, it's receiving a slightly different signal and therefore formats itself properly (usually in Letterbox).


I'd recommend using a DVI-HDMI cable anyway to increase the quality of connection between your HD box and your HDTV. Component cables use analog technology, while DVI and HDMI use digital technology.I have ordered a DVI-HDMI cable and it should be here this week. I'm assuming that won't address the display problems if it is, in fact, the DCT6200 sending the "wrong" details to the TV, correct?

The DCT is configured for:
TV Type = 4:3 Letterbox
Y Pb Pr Output = 1080i
4:3 override = 480pI did a little more testing this morning and have discovered that if I change the 6200's Y Pb Pr Output to 480p, the TV will then format the display (both HD and Std) properly. However, by doing this, do I lose HD display quality since the 6200 isn't sending 1080i when it should or could be?

If the DVI-HDMI cable doesn't help this problem, I guess we'll just have to live with manually changing the display format on the TV... maybe someday the 6200 (or a successor) might be a little more configurable.