Non HD 4:3 content-Why stretched??

[pkroberts]

Why do the all of the local stations butcher their 4:3 content and stretch it? Does anyone like this? If I want to fill my screen I will let my receiver do it that does a better job anyway than what they are doing.

Kyle

[Bschneider]

Apparently most stations that I talk to are doing it to "save our tv". They receive numerous complaints every week that 1. their screen isn't full. 2. burn-in paranoia.

Now today only two local stations really only stretch the channel to 14:9, WFLA (NBC) and WTOG (UPN). The others are either 4:3 and something between 4:3 and 14:9. WFTS (ABC) actually varies every week.

I personally would like to see 4:3 material stay 4:3. I have complained numerous time to WFLA and WTOG but more people are complaining to them about their tv and my first paragraph.

[rgreenpc]

sorry I am a pureist - if i wanted strecthed material - I WOULD STRETCH IT <G>

That being said some people are too stupid to learn to properly calibrate their TVs and will burn in their TV if not stretched.

[bdraw]

They don't stretch it actually. They crop the top and the bottom.
Personaly I like it.
If you don't like it, watch the SD channel. If they just sent it 4:3 480p most poeple wouldn't be able to stretch it since it isnt 480i.

Actually I wish that they would stretch it just enough to fill the screen.

I never watch it anyways.

I am an HDTV snob, and proud of it.

If it isn't HDTV I am not watching it.

*Accept the Bucs of course.*

[rgreenpc]

or watch it NEXT MONDAY!

[pkroberts]

They don't stretch it actually. They crop the top and the bottom.
Personaly I like it.
If you don't like it, watch the SD channel. If they just sent it 4:3 480p most poeple wouldn't be able to stretch it since it isnt 480i.


You like losing part of the picture and compromised picture quality? You have high standards. If I wanted to watch SD, I wouldn't have bought an OTA receiver to get the digital broadcasts.

How does 14:9 satisfy Joe Blow that is worried about burn in on his Apex he got down at the local Wally World? He still has black bars on the side of the picture. Another example of satisfying the lowest common denominator.

Kyle

[jaymer]

Is there a Wally World in Tampa? Sweeeet

[bdraw]

Kyle
My wife watches friends like that every thrusday, she never complains. There isnt much on the top and bottom anyways. Like I said in my post I don't watch it, you don't have to. Tune your OTA to the regular channel.
I would of thought that the reason to buy an OTA HD tuner is to watch HD, not to watch SD upconverted. I don't think it compromises picture quality at all.

It did bother me during the NFL preseason becuase I couldn't see the score of the bucs games. I just went to NFL.com on my laptop to keep up with the stats.