Mr. Boffo
Scrapple Level: 124
Posts: 3054/3844 EXP: 21369089 For next: 467573
Since: 24.3.02 From: Oshkosh, WI
Since last post: 3895 days Last activity: 3856 days
| #21 Posted on 30.11.09 1651.32 Reposted on: 30.11.16 1651.39 | Remember if you do watch any 4:3 programming on the new TV, it's in the wrong aspect ratio to fill the screen, so you're going to have to set up the TV for which way you want it to display (it'll be in the options somewhere). See the picture here for visual representation of the various options. All have some sort of drawback, so it will be up to you to figure out which is the least annoying.
Normal mode means the picture will keep the same proportions and none of it will be lost. The downside of this is that you're going to have blank areas on the left and right side of the screen. I know people who very much hate this, because they feel part of their screen is being wasted.
Full mode (called "Stretch evenly" in the picture) means they stretch the image out to fill the whole screen. The downside is this messes with the aspect ratio, so everything has become wider than it used to be.
In Wide Zoom (or "Smart Stretch" or "Stretch evenly") mode, it once again stretches the image to fill the entire screen, but it starts with minimal stretching at the center, and more stretching as you reach the edges. This way the things at the center of the screen look to be pretty much normal proportion. The only problem I've found with this is if you have horizontal text scrolling (as on a sports or news channel), the text appears to scroll faster on the edges than it does in the middle (because of the stretching of that part). Some people find that disconcerting.
In Zoom Mode, it zooms in until the picture fills the entire screen, and it keeps the aspect ratio. The trade-off is that you've lost some part of the top and bottom of the picture. It's kind of like the opposite of "full screen" DVDs: they cut off the left and right to fit the widescreen image on your 4:3 TV, while this cuts off the top and bottom to fit the 4:3 image on your 16:9 TV. | drjayphd
Scrapple Moderator Level: 126
Posts: 3491/4035 EXP: 22940186 For next: 143981
Since: 22.4.02 From: New Hampshire
Since last post: 766 days Last activity: 350 days
| ICQ: | |
| Y!: | |
|
| #22 Posted on 30.11.09 1749.48 Reposted on: 30.11.16 1751.31 | Originally posted by Mr. Boffo Usually for cable companies (and my parents have Dish Network, and I believe this is the same way), the low-definition version is on one channel, and the HD-version is on another channel. I go over to my aunt and uncle's house, and they're watching the low-def channel when the high def is available and I can't understand it. Just used to the old channel numbers, I guess.
AUUUUUUUUUUGH THAT MAKES ME STABBY WITH MY MOTHER
She'll ALWAYS go to the SD channels, rather than the HD ones. I've reprogrammed the favorites, changed the channel to the HD one the nanosecond she lets go of the remote... nothing. Then again, she doesn't use the guide or, hell, the up/down buttons (she will STILL hit channel up/down). Clearly, she's beyond help, right?
EDIT: Speaking of mothers...
Originally posted by Mr. Boffo In Wide Zoom (or "Smart Stretch" or "Stretch evenly") mode, it once again stretches the image to fill the entire screen, but it starts with minimal stretching at the center, and more stretching as you reach the edges. This way the things at the center of the screen look to be pretty much normal proportion. The only problem I've found with this is if you have horizontal text scrolling (as on a sports or news channel), the text appears to scroll faster on the edges than it does in the middle (because of the stretching of that part). Some people find that disconcerting.
My girlfriend's mother has her TV on that, and it threw me off despite not being all that poorly-done. Couldn't find a way to change it, either. (grumble grumble)
(edited by drjayphd on 30.11.09 1853) | AWArulz
Scrapple Level: 125
Posts: 2582/3909 EXP: 21988535 For next: 465692
Since: 28.1.02 From: Louisville, KY
Since last post: 99 days Last activity: 99 days
| | Y!: | |
|
| #23 Posted on 30.11.09 1949.10 Reposted on: 30.11.16 1949.24 | when you upgrade with DTV to HD it costs 10 bucks more a month. My suggestion is get the DVR box too and pay and extra (I cannot recall if it is $5 or $10).
HDMI cables between the box and the TV (my installer put them in). You need a new dish too. And make sure they put on the setting that ONLY shows you the HD when HD and SD are available. My first month I didn't have that set and I was ticked. When I saw that, I was happy.
another thing, if you get the DVR box, hook it up to your house network. As far as I know, you have to do it with an ethernet cable, but then you can
1. Transfer shows to your PC so you can cut DVDs 2. do DirectTV On Demand. (that is a pretty sweet feature)
(edited by AWArulz on 30.11.09 2049) | redsoxnation
Scrapple Level: 165
Posts: 6597/7534 EXP: 58188950 For next: 746855
Since: 24.7.02
Since last post: 3923 days Last activity: 3923 days
| #24 Posted on 30.11.09 2157.08 Reposted on: 30.11.16 2157.18 | Originally posted by Guru Zim
Act older than you are, they will be nicer to you.
So, you want him to start the call by saying Hi, my name is Lazarus? | Lise
Mrs. Guru Level: 77
Posts: 904/1275 EXP: 4108109 For next: 83039
Since: 11.12.01
Since last post: 3090 days Last activity: 2863 days
| #25 Posted on 30.11.09 2238.16 Reposted on: 30.11.16 2239.43 | Originally posted by redsoxnation
Originally posted by Guru Zim
Act older than you are, they will be nicer to you.
So, you want him to start the call by saying Hi, my name is Lazarus?
"How do I watch the NCIS?" | Kevintripod
Knackwurst Level: 109
Posts: 1415/2942 EXP: 13936149 For next: 23541
Since: 11.5.03 From: Mount Pleasant, Pa.
Since last post: 23 days Last activity: 4 days
| #26 Posted on 1.12.09 0425.22 Reposted on: 1.12.16 0425.52 | Originally posted by carnage While you are waiting for a new box from DirecTV, one thing you might try is pulling out an old set of rabbit ears to see if you can pick up any digital signals.
IF he has rabbit ears.
I wouldn't think the odds would be too good for someone to still have rabbit ears lying around these days. | Mike Zeidler
Pepperoni Level: 73
Posts: 463/1117 EXP: 3327606 For next: 158279
Since: 27.6.02
Since last post: 3515 days Last activity: 737 days
| #27 Posted on 1.12.09 0445.08 Reposted on: 1.12.16 0446.12 | Originally posted by Kevintripod
Originally posted by carnage While you are waiting for a new box from DirecTV, one thing you might try is pulling out an old set of rabbit ears to see if you can pick up any digital signals.
IF he has rabbit ears.
I wouldn't think the odds would be too good for someone to still have rabbit ears lying around these days.
With the recent digital transition, rabbit ears are the new "in" thing. Plus they're like $5 at the hardware store. | babetsavant
Polska kielbasa Level: 28
Posts: 130/132 EXP: 121633 For next: 9707
Since: 17.8.06 From: Calgary, AB Canada
Since last post: 4921 days Last activity: 4731 days
| #28 Posted on 1.12.09 1129.57 Reposted on: 1.12.16 1131.42 | I've had my Vizio for a little over a year now and we love it. When we first bought it , by boyfriend did some research and found out that since Vizio was a relatively new company, they decided to hit up Wall-marts and big box retailers to get a wider presence in the market and it has worked! They are fantastic TV's at a lower price. | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
| | | | | | | |