DAC

I just picked up this Hitachi TV and there is an option to have the side bars (when in 4:3 mode) either grey or black. Which is the preferred method? Is one any better for the screen than the other?

Thanks

X

If you're watching during the day or for repeated extended periods, I'd say grey. During the night, black.

brainee

I could be wrong, but as I understand it the point of the grey bars (instead of black) is to minimize "burn-in". The idea being that the tone of grey has enough light to approximate normal viewing exposure, while just black bars (if viewed in that format enough) could result in one part of the screen being noticeably dimmer than the rest in the long-run life of the tv. Of course the black bars "look" better, especially if watching a movie in a darkened room. Your tv is a CRT, which means it is vulnerable to burn-in. So technically your picture is preserved best if you always watch with grey bars. But it's understandable (and many probably do) to watch the occasional HD or DVD feature, trying to maximize the viewing experience, with the black bars. Just be aware of the problem if you find yourself watching all the time with black bars. Again, that's just my understanding of things -- if someone more knowledgeable has a correction or a better explanation, go for it.

Eddie W

Personally, I think the grey bars ruin the aesthetics of the picture. Anyway, most network programming is in HD 16x9 anyway so I would think the burn in issue is less significant than it was a few years ago. Between HD, DVD's and letterboxed SD stuff, I've found that old fashioned 4x3 is the in the minority of my viewing.

So I'd go with black bars.

Maxflier

I prefer/use the black ones.
I don't have the burn-in issue to worry about either, though.

DAC

brainee, that's what I was wondering. I guess I watch enough 16x9 television that it may not be an issue. The grey is fine with me so when I do watch 4:3 I will use the grey unless at night and watching a dvd or something.

Thanks,

DAC

Jeremy517

If you use black, be sure to turn your contrast and brightness to reasonable levels.

Well, you should do that anyways. Just say no to Torch Mode.

black eyed

er sorry im new to this....but what are bars???

apart from things to drink at obv

Spiky

black eyed,
If that's a real question, ask it again. Otherwise I'm assuming it's a joke??

DAC,
Once the set is broken in, after a couple hundred hours, you should be able to do the black bars. Assuming your contrast is set correctly, of course. You may want to use the grey bars for the first couple months just to protect it. By then the phosphor coating on the CRTs should be past the most dangerous stage. Obviously, if you are watching all 16:9 HDTV, no worries at all. (except still have contrast at appropriate levels)

nightmaster

DAC, I've got last years model of this set. I've read in many places to just deal with zoom for the first few hundred hours before allowing any black bars onto the screen. Hitachi's zoom option is pretty good as zooms go. For 4:3 I guess I'd use the grey, but it seems like it would detract from a more filmlike experience for movies that are actually shot in 4:3.......