Letterbox AND Pillar boxing

[kevxross]

Ok this might have nothing to do with GBPVR but I'm hoping someone here can help me. I have a widescreen television and some programming, such as Discovery Channel, is in widescreen format. The problem is, instead of this widescreen programming filling my widescreen television, it instead keeps its letterboxing. So when I view it in its native resolution, it has the letterboxing AND pillar boxing, making it as if I'm watching a 32" TV inside of my 42". I can deal with letterbox, I can deal with pillar box, but both at the same time is counterintuitive and frustrating. Is there anyway around this without stretching/zooming, since it SHOULD just fit my screen as it is?

I have Comcast digital cable with a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2200 stb and I was hoping I could just set the output aspect ratio, but I can't find a setting for it.

Thanks for any advice!

[sub]

What capture device are you using? All analog capture device mark recordings as 4:3. This is not a GB-PVR limitation, but rather a limitation of the analog devices.

Recordings from digital capture device, then you'll get either 4:3 or 16:9.

[kevxross]

What capture device are you using? All analog capture device mark recordings as 4:3. This is not a GB-PVR limitation, but rather a limitation of the analog devices.

Recordings from digital capture device, then you'll get either 4:3 or 16:9.

Thanks for the reply. I have an HVR-1600. The only thing I can do with the digital tuner on it is get OTA or clear QAM though, right? So basically what you're saying is that everyone who wants to watch HBO or Discovery (non HD) on a widescreen tv has this same problem?

[sub]

So basically what you're saying is that everyone who wants to watch HBO or Discovery (non HD) on a widescreen tv has this same problem?

No, not quite right. There are plenty of folks using DVB etc than get digital versions of Discovery etc, so get the nice 16:9 recordings (like me for example). In the US though, you're options are more limited though due to the DRM surrounding digital cable channels. If you're recording an analog broadcast with an analog device, or in this case the analog side of the HVR1600, then yes, its 4:3 - which is likely the case for most US users. (and it doesnt matter what app you're using, it'll always be 4:3)

[kevxross]

No, not quite right. There are plenty of folks using DVB etc than get digital versions of Discovery etc, so get the nice 16:9 recordings (like me for example). In the US though, you're options are more limited though due to the DRM surrounding digital cable channels. If you're recording an analog broadcast with an analog device, or in this case the analog side of the HVR1600, then yes, its 4:3 - which is likely the case for most US users. (and it doesnt matter what app you're using, it'll always be 4:3)

Thanks again sub. Like I said I was pretty sure it had nothing to do with your great piece of software, but I thought I'd ask here because you guys are knowledgeable on all this stuff.

So is there anyone in the US with some advice for me? I know I can't be the only one annoyed at watching 4:3 "widescreen" broadcasting on a 16:9 television and having it centered in the middle of the screen wasting all that real estate.

[sub]

You can press F7 to change aspect ratios to force it to switch to the 'remove letter' box aspect ratio, which should so it fullscreen on your TV.

[Ted the Penguin]

yeah, all the "widescreen" shows here are actually broadcast with letterboxing in the stream, (if they arent on an HD channel)

and I think sub meant "remove letterbox"