dvd-4-life

Just got Charter today and seems like most of their HD channels aren't in widescreen. Does that mean the shows aren't in HD or do I have to adjust the screen after every show?

Obi-Wanma

Depends on what they're currently broadcasting. If it's a program that was originally filmed for SD at the 4:3 ratio, then you should have black bars on the side, even on the HD feed. If it's HD content, should be widescreen.

dvd-4-life

Watching Pardon the Interruption on ESPN HD and it takes up the whole screen. The installer said most people prefer it that way but I look at it as not being HD but stretched HD.

TheMovieman

Edit: Ah, I see what you mean.

As Eddie said, check the box settings.

Eddie W

It sounds like what he's describing is cropping the channels to 4x3 and then stretching them back out to 16x9.

At this late date, most of what you'll find on HD channels should be widescreen. I would check the Charter box & make sure it's not set for a 4x3 TV. It may be cropping them, thinking you have an older set.

Also, the installer sounds lazy & dumb if he's telling you most people prefer to watch stretched content rather than setting you up correctly. If you can't get it set to display HD content in it's correct aspect ratio, I would call Charter & ask them to send someone competent.

kenbuzz

Please move this thread from Sports Talk.

dvd-4-life

I'm only watching HD Sports Channels.

Bill Needle

church

Bill Needle

Pharoh

Be that as it may, moving to Home Theater Gear.

Spiky

1, too many shows are not actually in HD.
2, too many cable systems suck.

The 'last straw' for me dropping cable/sat a couple years ago was the utter lack of ESPN HD programming. Why pay ungodly prices for these most expensive channels when they give me crap?

dvd-4-life

Charter is my provider and I am having nothing but problems with them. I had to reconnect to the internet myself(there connection wasn't working) and now today the phone isn't working. My My My.

Charter gave me a good deal with a bundle(internet,phone,cable). And so far their service has sucked. Good thing I kept Directv plus I haven't canceled Century Link(not until I am satisfied with Charter). They have a 30 day money back guarantee .

TomOpus

My girl lives out in the boonies so cable is not an option. She has Dish and they set up the box for stretch mode until I switched it normal.

dvd-4-life

Finally figured out how too change the screen size. On the front of the HD DVR,there is a format button and you use that too adjust the screen.