Assistance: Aspect Ratio Changes in HD channels

[jdsilverm]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum and I am very excited to be a part of it. I am so pleased that there is this forum strictly for Tampa Bay Area residents. THANKS!

I have searched for this information, but can't find any information. So, OK...I have had HD from BHN for about 7 months now with success. As of a few days ago certain channels have looked different for me on my HDTV. I have made no changes to TV or 8300HD settings. Most of the time now, WFLA (NBC) and WTSP (CBS) no longer fill my screen completely. There are SMALL black verticle bars on the sides. (obviously, smaller than SD bars). Is anyone else experiencing this? In fact, off and on FOX and ABC do the same thing.

I first noticed it while watching a little marathon of "The Office" (NBC, on Thursday, June 1st) Normally, "The Office" completely fills the screen. But, all of a sudden, there are these small black bars on the sides. Any info?

All the other HD channels look great and fill the screen all the time (like HDNT, UVHD, HDTNT, etc.) Only the local channels seem to be having this trouble. Please keep in mind that they had been looking great ever since I got my HDTV.

Thanks for any assistance!

JDSILVERM

[LonghornXP]

I think your issue is related to a local channel issue as many of them will switch off the HD feed if they are having problems. Because of this you are going to see black bars of different sizes depending on the local channel. If it was raining very hard around the area that would be a reason for this. Now just to make sure these black bars are on the left and right hand sides and they are small considering what they could be. Most of the Tampa local stations stretch to about 14/9 instead of 16/9 if they cut the HD feed offline for technicial reasons.

The simple answer to this is that you can't do anything about these issues sadly.

[Bschneider]

I would agree to that. From what was describe it sounds like WFLA switched from the HD feed to the SD feed (on the main channel) giving the viewer the very small vertical bars.

[jdsilverm]

Thanks for all your responses. I appreciate the assistance. I figured as much from our weird local channels!

JDS

[quezilla]

I think it is because they are last seasons episodes. The new ones are in the correct format.

[LonghornXP]

I think it is because they are last seasons episodes. The new ones are in the correct format.

I never even considered the fact that reruns aren't broadcast in HDTV. I do know for a fact that live ESPN HD sporting events shown later in the night or on other days aren't in HDTV like the live airing is.