Ferrari Mailing List: Re: NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there

[Gary Reed (gary]

Dave,

All of the local "Hi Def" stations on Comcast cable switch back and forth
between 16x9 and 4x3 aspect ratios, depending on their source material.
i.e.- Super Bowl game will be in Hi Def 16x9, but then a commercial will
come on that is in 4x3 Hi Def.

I don't mind having the black bands and really prefer them over the
manipulated "stretched" images, so I don't bother to switch the aspect
ratio, the TV automatically switches the formats.

Gary


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Handa" <dave [at] davehanda.com>
To: "Gary Reed" <gary [at] garyreedsales.com>
Cc: "'The FerrariList'" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 12:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there


> Thanks Dave...but note that this issue with the Pro model Panasonic, only
> presents itself under HD, not standard definition (it allows aspect ratio
> adjustment under standard def).  I am just trying to figure out how often
> this will be a problem, as they claim it only happens on some TNT
stations.
>
> Dave
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Craig [mailto:dave.craig [at] sbcglobal.net]
> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:51 AM
> To: 'Dave Handa'
> Cc: 'The FerrariList'
> Subject: RE: [Ferrari] NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there
>
> Dave,
>
> I can't answer your Comcast question, but I can answer your first
question.
> You will absolutely want to be able to control the aspect ratio.
>
> Like this Panasonic, I have an older Mitsubishi rear projection HDTV that
> locks the aspect ratio on it's 1080i (High Def) input.  Luckily, my Dish
> Network VIP-622 receiver does allow me to switch aspect ratios (5
different
> ones). As your review correctly pointed out, there are some High
Definition
> stations that have screwed up aspect ratios on certain programming and
more
> importantly all standard definition stations have screwed up aspect ratios
> when viewed on a 16:9 TV.
>
> In my opinion, aspect ratio switching is extremely important for
viewability
> and absolutely required for TV types that can burn in; such as CRT based
TVs
> and yes plasma TVs.  Without this feature you will most likely be watching
> all of the standard definition programming with huge black bars down the
> sides of your TV.  And then when a program comes on the standard
definition
> channel that was filmed for high def, you will get the same black bars
down
> the sides and now have black bars at the top and bottom of the image.
Yep,
> this nice 16:9 image will be windowed in your 16:9 TV with black bars all
> the way around (unless you can change the aspect ratio).   Then after a
year
> or so you will notice, while watching a high definition program that fills
> the screen, a contrast difference as the high def image crosses the area
> these standard def black boarders usually occupy.
>
> Good luck,
> Dave Craig
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Handa [mailto:dave [at] davehanda.com]
> Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 12:42 PM
> To: Dave Craig
> Cc: The FerrariList
> Subject: [Ferrari] NFC plasma panel question for you experts out there
>
> I am on a pretty tight budget, but wish to get a 50" plasma screen.  From
> what I have read, the Panasonic 50" models is one of the better ones in
the
> lower price range (around $2k).  I don't care for the silver trim and
found
> a "professional series" that fills the bill, though I have to buy a HDMI
> module separately.  All the reviews I have read are equally good as for
the
> standard consumer model 50".  I have one concern I read, and need some
> clarification, can anyone elaborate?  Below is the message I sent to a
> couple of my more savvy videophile friends:
>
>
>
> I am thinking of getting a pro series Panasonic, because it looks cool
(dark
> grey frame) and 5 year in home warranty.  But am concerned with this
> statement in a Cnet review:
>
>
>
> "We were annoyed that the TH-50PH9UK still can't switch
> <http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5140690-1.html?tag=txt> aspect ratios
> with HD sources, which is an issue if you're watching high-def on a
channel
> that's sized improperly--like a lot of TNT channels--and your cable or
> satellite box can't change aspects. There are four aspect-ratio choices
> available for high-def sources."
>
>
>
> Full review:
> http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_TH_50PH9UK/4505-6482_7-31986328.html
>
>
>
>
>
> Will the Comcast HDTV cable box handle aspect ratio changes?  Or is this
not
> really a huge concern?  Or should I just stick with a consumer model, even
> if it only has a 1 year warranty?
>
>
>
> Appreciate your expertise,
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
>
http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/dave.craig%40sbcglobal.
> net
>
> Sponsored by BidNip.com eBay Auction Sniper
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
>
http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/gary%40garyreedsales.com
>
> Sponsored by BidNip.com eBay Auction Sniper