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Does My TV have 4:3 or 16:9 Aspect?

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bostonman:
I'm confused.

Years ago when higher definition TVs came out, I attempted to view TV in 16:9 on either a 720 or 1080 TV, but saw everything was fat. I soon realized the cable network (or TV network) was still sending 4:3 - at least this was my interpretation.

Now I have a 16:9 (60") 4k TV, Comcast cable, and a basic cable package (i.e. not HD with limited stations).

In the cable box video settings, the best I can set it to is 1080 at 16:9 and my TV is set to 16:9 aspect ratio.

For many months I've had my TV set to 4:3 because I assumed my basic cable wasn't coming in at 16:9, but today I decided to tinker with the settings. I changed the station to The People's Court where a logo is in the bottom corner (this would allow a constant video feed with something remaining in the same location).

I noticed no matter which ratio I selected, either in the cable box or TV, the P (and maybe) the E in People's Court wasn't displayed. Also, I had black vertical bars on the left and right.

Afterwards I changed to another station with a constant logo location and it seems everything fit on the screen.

I'm back to wondering whether some stations are not displaying 16:9. If this is true, does this mean I need to change my TV depending on which station I watch, or order HD so everything (?) is 16:9?



rdl:
Knowing Comcast as I do, they probably charge extra for widescreen.

Most newer TVs have some kind aspect ratio setting, though it may not call it that. My Sanyo uses "Detailed setting". Look for something like Auto, 1:1, 100%, etc. The other common settings will force the display to either 4x3 or 16x9 and that's not what you want. Also, for some reason TVs will often have a zoom setting.

bostonman:
My TV has 4:3, 16:9, zoom vertical, zoom all (I think), and believe that's it; maybe one or two more.

I tried all of them, and, unless it was zoom, always had black vertical bars on the sides with the 'People's Court' logo missing the P and possibly E.

Yet, another channel seemed to fit fine.

I know this baffled me with my parents' TV years ago because it seemed some channels didn't fit indicating the TV needed to be in 16:9, while other channels made the people look fat indicating 4:3.

I decided to keep their TV in 4:3 mode always, but now it seems more channels are 16:9.

It makes sense Comcast would charge for widescreen, and it's pretty dumb to own a 60" TV and be missing several inches from each side.

Bicurico:
Some channels and/or programs are still broadcast in 4:3 ratio. This may sound weird but just consider the epic amount of recorded shows that are in the old ratio.

You now have a 16:9 screen that needs to render 4:3 material.
Your options are basically: stretch vertically and have black bars on the side or stretch horizontally and get "fat" people.

On the TV you can normally set your preference. But life is complicated because some movies are not 16:9 but even wider! Hence you get black bars again.

The TV may try to be smart and use different approaches for the picture coming in - but often fails.

The most common setting is therefore not to use AUTO but stretch horizontal and live with fat/thin people...

It has nothing to do with the broadcast - they are just the messenger - but with the content being broadcast.

Regards
Vitor

bostonman:
That's a good point because METV often airs shows from the 70s that are 4:3 while other stations air current shows that I'd assume are 16:9.

I don't necessarily have an issue with black bars, but just trying to figure out whether I'm not setting things correctly and getting them, or, as you stated, some shows are 4:3.

I don't know what it takes to convert 4:3 to 16:9, but the cable companies should be providing everything in 16:9 for their customers.

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