Newbie ? TWC-HD

[pbarney]

I recently upgraded my TWC digital cable box to a HD box (Scientific Atlanta 3100HD). My TV is a Panasonic PT-51HX40 4:3 PTV.

With non-HD programming I get 2 vertical bars on each side and the picture appears compressed horizontally. All HD programming the picture appears normal, but in 4:3 not 16:9. My set does not any adjustment for aspect ratio. The HD programming looks great!

Is this problem a function of the cable box or a limitation of my PTV? I called TWC "technical" support but they were useless. I have a work-around for the non-HD programs, but I would really to see HD in 16:9.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Patrick Barney
pbarney@wi.rr.com

[mr_yeti]

Your cable box will not scale the HDTV content to a 4:3 screen. You'll just get a full screen image, which is what you're experiencing.

[borghe]

the box upconverts all SD programming to 1080i, which is inherently 16:9. with SD material this means adding black bars to the sides. The only way to correct this on your TV is is to letterbox that signal thereby giving you a very tiny window in which to watch. The answer is to connect the s-video cable up from the cable box to your TV also, and just switch to s-video to watch SD material.

[tjjws]

Welcome, I'm a newbie myself.

You don't mention how you connected the 3100HD to the TV, but you need to use the component video output from the 3100HD.  That's the only way to get HD / 16:9 format.   S-Video will not.

I have a Panasonic PT-51HX42.  I searched Panasonic's site for a 51HX40, but couldn't find one, so I couldn't see the specs.  If you happen to have the same model as me, you should see on the Picture / Other ADJ1 menu, an option to change ASPECT, but its probably grayed-out if you're not using the CV input.

An unfortunate side affect of using CV is that a non-HD broadcast appears letter-boxed all around (black bars on all sides), in which case I use the S-video feed to my TV instead.  Then it fills the entire 4:3 screen.  This is a limitation of the 3100HD, and apparently will be fixed with a newer model (4200?).

[pbarney]

Thanks for your input.

> You don't mention how you connected the 3100HD to the TV,
> but you need to use the component video output from the
> 3100HD. That's the only way to get HD / 16:9 format. S-Video
> will not.

I am using the CV outputs from the HD3100 for HD. The work-around I'm using for SD is the RF output of the cable box. The RF output signal is cleaner because of the comb filter in the TV which SV input does not have.

> I have a Panasonic PT-51HX42. I searched Panasonic's site for
> a 51HX40, but couldn't find one, so I couldn't see the specs. If
> you happen to have the same model as me, you should see on
> the Picture / Other ADJ1 menu, an option to change ASPECT,
> but its probably grayed-out if you're not using the CV input.

No mistake on the model number it is a PT-51HX40. The only adjustment is the Color Matrix menu, which the manual says you can adjust. But you really can't

> An unfortunate side affect of using CV is that a non-HD
> broadcast appears letter-boxed all around (black bars on all
> sides), in which case I use the S-video feed to my TV instead.
> Then it fills the entire 4:3 screen. This is a limitation of the
> 3100HD, and apparently will be fixed with a newer model
> (4200?).

Viewing an SD broadcast through the CV inputs I get just vertical bars. Picture is distorted horizontally (squished). My gripe is that I only see HD broadcasts in 4:3 not 16:9. It appears that the HD picture is cut off on both sides.

[oz]

Has anyone found any technical documentation for the 3100HD, like the instructions? Also, any idea what the USB port can be used for? I read that a keyboard can be used, but for what purpose?

[sp44again]

Check page 2 of the "Equipment" section.

[tjjws]

Here is the 3100HD documentation I've found:
http://www.sciatl.com/highdef/index.htm

TWC did not supply a manual, nor gave any instructions on how to use the 3100HD.

sp44again, you mention "Check page 2 of the "Equipment" section."  To what document/manual do you refer?

[gyoung]

He means to this thread.

Here's the installation guide and the user's manual.  Both are located on this page.

[oz]

Thanks, but I was hoping for a more "in depth" manual. I guess I just have to plug in a USB keyboard and see what happens.