Different HDTV signals?

something I really don't like is for example sometimes ER is shown in letterbox high definition format this really sucks I have a 16:9 screen why am I forced to watch this in letterbox screen having to look at black bars along the top and bottom above the pictures. It should be the full 16:9 screen. Another problem like on Showtime or HBO they will show a movie or boxing in high definition but only 4:3 aspect ratio I want it 16:9 or I don't even bother watching it would rather watch the standard definition in 16:9

Eldartford,

The remote control for my plasma has a button for the aspect as well. I used such feature a lot when I was using the S-video cable for regular TV watching while the component video input was reserved for the DVD. Now that I have the Yamaha AVR as my video switcher, which does all the video up conversion, I use only the component video cable for every thing. Thus, the problem does not exist any more. With the component video input, I can never adjust the aspect of the screen. What video input on the plasma that you use?

If you are watching Boxing on HBO or Showtime and it is in a 4:3 Format, it is not in high definition.

Lej1447...I am using S-Video interface. My plasma is not HD, but the picture, using SVideo is sharp enough that my eyes can't distinguish pixels from normal viewing distance. The wire run from the Sony HD Direct TV receiver to the plasma is about 20 feet, so I have not spent the money to try component interface. I will probably go to DVI some day for the Direct TV receiver.