Stretch-O-Vision (R)

Ack... THIS DRIVES ME NUTS? I don't understand how...

2010-03-10T16:47:16.171-06:00

Ack... THIS DRIVES ME NUTS? I don't understand how anyone can look at what they do (it's present in just about all of their HD programming as well) to the picture and think to themselves "yeah, this is a really good idea". It boggles the mind.

I don't think it's a simple case of stretching a 4:3 aspect ratio to fit in a 16:9 aspect ratio aperture. I think they're actually using some kind of algorithm to process the video that ATTEMPTS to apply a minimal amount of distortion to the center of the image and apply more stretching to the end of the image. The result is that it looks like they're using some kind of VERY POORLY manufactured lens which hasn't been properly corrected. UGH!

Make it stop!

Cheers, Joe

It drives me nuts to watch content when it isn't i...

2009-09-17T21:01:16.727-05:00

It drives me nuts to watch content when it isn't in the correct aspect ratio. I can't stand it when it's stretched.

The problem I usually see with family is that they they see a show they like on a standard def channel and stop, even if there is an HD channel available. I can't tell you how many times I've walked in, picked up the remote, and switched to the HD version. The reply is usually the same... "oh! That looks much better!".

-MG

Here's the problem: Joe Schmo has an SDTV CRT hoo...

2009-07-12T23:34:59.047-05:00

Here's the problem:

Joe Schmo has an SDTV CRT hooked up to a satellite receiver. Everything he watches is either cropped to fill his screen by the broadcaster, or has small, hardly noticible bars at the top and bottom at worst. Either way, the vast majority of his screen is always filled with content.

Eventually, Joe's SDTV goes out from old age. Joe goes to a major electronic chain's store for a new TV. Joe sees giant LCD and plasma TVs, all showing a crystal-clear picture filling the screen. Joe awes at the quality compared to what he is used to at home, and picks up an HDTV. He talks to a sales person at this store, who convinces him to get HDTV service from his satellite company, which he does as soon as he gets home. The TV is set to be delivered and set up for him in a few days.

Before the TV is delievered, Joe's HDTV service is running through his satellite receiver, even though he cannot watch it. Somebody from the electronics store sets up his TV. He tunes to a channel on his satellite receiver, and the channel happens to be showing an SD program in OAR. Because Joe is not used to seeing large bars on his TV, he is unhappy that the full potential of it is not being used. He wants the entire screen to show his picture, or he feels that his TV is not being used properly.

Joe asks, "Why are those big black bars on my TV?"

The installer replies, "Oh, I can fix that for you." And the installer, naturally, pushes the "Zoom" button on the remote, setting the TV to stretch-O mode.

Joe is happy. He has a big HDTV and has a full-screen picture. Quality doesn't matter because it's HD anyway so it has to be great.

This is so annoying it's amazing that they're stil...

2009-05-30T22:45:11.905-05:00

This is so annoying it's amazing that they're still doing it.