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Panny plasma Vs Comcast HDTV, HELP


Hey folks. Need some help here

I got myself a Panasonic 42in plasma, model # TH-42PD50U
I have 2 ways i have been trying to watch the TV

Currently, i have the HD box set up passing HD through the component (comcast HD boxes DO pass 1080I through component)to the plasma. Also, i have the COAX from the HD box connected to the COAX input on the Plasma.

When watching the source through the COAX input, i am unable to get the HD (as expected). When watching standard definition programming i can use the aspect button to switch from Full, Just, 4:3, and ZOOM to find the best way to view the program. on the 4:3 there are grey bars on the sides, and the other 3 methods will stretch the pic in different ways so i can select which is the most desireable.
However, NONE of the menu's will be displayed, i cannot get the channel guide to show up through the COAX input.

When watching the source through COMPONENT, i am able to recieve 1080I signals, everything looks crisp and lush, however, on standard definition channels the picture is broadcast 4:3 aspect to the TV. This results in the black bars on the left and right side.
The TV has an ASPECT button, however, when watching through COMPONENT the ASPECT button DOES NOT WORK. The TV will not go into Zoom, Full, Just, or 4:3 mode.
When watching the HD channels it WILL go 16:9, the 4:3 HD signals will show the grey bars on the side, or some wierd moving pattern with channel logo's and stuff depending on the channel. When watching 16:9 aspect the entire screen is used and works as it should, and i should also add, it looks SPECTACULAR. The channel guide and menu's from the cable box WILL show up.
The biggest pain in the ass is that the SD WILL NOT fill the whole screen, and the ASPECT controls do not work, meaning that if i get a wide-screen movie on demand, then i have black bars on the TOP, BOTTOM, LEFT, AND RIGHT of the screen!!!

So, as a work around, when i am watching an HD channel i watch through the component, and when watching SD i watch through the coax so i can use the aspect mode to fill the screen. When searching the channel guide i have to flip back to the COMPONENT input

My buddy has a Panasonic CRT HDTV with the same box, he uses the HDMI and his TV will broadcast widescreen in widescreen, and his Aspect control WORKS with the SD. He doesent seem to have this problem.

Does anyone have this TV? Have you used it with HDMI?
Im thinking that i might need an HDMI-to-DVI cable in order to be able to use the ASPECT button with the SD in order to fill the screen.

Ugh, i hope this isnt too confusing, but it is complicated to explain.

Basically

Watching from COMPONENT
ASPECT button WILL NOT WORK, SD is broadcast with black bars, without the use of the Aspect i fear i might get burn-in.
The cable guide DOES DISPLAY

Watching from COAX
ASPECT button DOES work, HD does not, and the channel guide DOES NOT SHOW UP.

Is there any way i can have my cake and eat it too? Should i get the HDMI cable? I really dont want to blow another 100 bucks just to find out that doesent work either.

Ugh... why cant i just have 1 input that will show the cable guide, have full use of the aspect button, and get HD?

ALSO, My denon 2900 connects to the Denon 3805 via COMPONENT, then to the TV via component, the aspect does NOT work with the DVD player either.... im starting to think the aspect function will work with coax but NOT COMPONENT, maybe it will work with HDMI?
slappy
reubent
7,005 posts
 
Slapster,

No time to re-read your entire post as I'm headed off to work, but I think Danlib1 may be onto something.

My cable box had setup for aspect ratio. I set mine for 16X9 and things display correctly. However, I don't think I can change the aspect ratio of hi-def. channels. I think they are "you get what we broadcast" and it is a function of the TV.

However, when watching SD programming through the component output of the cable box, I can change aspect ratio.

So, check your cable box for setup. Lastly, "cable-guide" is available only via the cable box for my cable company. It is part of the digital tier.

Enjoy,

TIC
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
My Directv box has the aspect ratio button---which doesn't work for any so called "hd in 4.3". My tv itself allows me to stretch. Anyone concerned with burn-in needs to make sure you don't watch to much with black bars on the sides.---So it ain't your cable box; your tv needs to be able to stretch this "4.3-HD".(which ain't hd;it's upconverted 480 material)
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Your friends TV cant be hooked up via Componet video and be able to stretch SD 4.3 signals into widescreen, it just doesnt work that way...what you are getting in terms of performance is completly normal
bluecirclehead
79 posts
 
Slappy,
If your hd tuner is a Motorola, turn it off, leaving your plasma on. Press the menu button in your remote and you'll see the menu for the cable box. One of the options is to force a 4:3 to a stretched 16:9 or to display the native signal without scaling.

The OnDemand movies are mostly upconverted analog signals and will be displayed with 4 bars and horrible quality. In the OnDemand menu you'll see a 'HDTV' link showing the only few movies shown in HD in OnDemand.

As for connections, the usual rule of thumb is to use dvi or hdmi if you have a plasma and componet if your monitor is a CRT. I have a 34" Sony KD34955XS and the component connection is superb.

Hope this is somewhat useful,
edesilva
768 posts
 
To summarize a little, I believe component is inherently 16x9, so that when you use component, aspect conversion is done by the box sending the component signal--whether DVD or STB. "Aspect" isn't any standard convention, so what your friend's TV may have is a "zoom" feature for 16x9 images.

I've got a Pio 16x9 plasma and Comcast service, but my region (Alexandria, VA) uses the Scientific Atlanta boxes. Some other areas, including the adjacent DC market, use Motorola boxes. The thing to do is run a search on the box model over at AVS Forum--http://www.avsforum.com--and you should find a thread on how to get to some "not-for-Joe-bag-o-donuts" settings on your STB. You can also try the mfr's website. You want to make sure your STB knows what resolutions, for example, your TV likes. When I watch OnDemand, I get blackbarred SD 4x3 stuff, but I do get widescreen when the movie is widescreen, so there is something funky going on.

If your box happens to be a Scientific Atlanta box (either an 8250HD or 8300HD, I've got some experience with those. Both of those are HD DVR boxes, however. Also be warned--some of the SA boxes have a DVI out, but it may not be functional. While I like the digital video interfaces with my TV, DVI and HDMI can be a PITA b/c of HDCP.
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