When we watch HD the picture appears as widescreen with borders at top and bottom, regular channels fill the whole screen. Are we missing something or is this how HD comes through?

I assume you are using a widescreen (16:9) HDTV. You must set the TV to Full aspect ratio and the source box (cable box or satellite) for widescreen output as well (it may be set for 4:3). This should eliminate the bars on broadcast network HD programs.

The HD Guru 

Most Holy One,

If one were to consider purchasing an HDTV less than 20″, 13-17″ would be a nice fit, what model, in your opinion, is best? Thank you.

To date, all the under 20″ HDTV the HD Guru has seen to date look pretty awful. Set makers are forced to keep the price down, so they use earlier generation LCD panels with slower response time and poor viewing angles. The HD Guru can’t recommend any HDTVs in this size range.

The HD Guru

My new JVC LT46FN97 LCD 1080p displays a white veritcal line along the left edge of the screen only on channel 5 (NBC 1080i)when in full native aspect mode. Other 1080i broadcast channels (CBS or WGN) don’t have this problem. Is this a broadcast problem or can the TV be adjusted?

When you said turn the contrast down to 50% I went to turn mine down and saw that it goes from -30 to +30. Did you mean to set it at 0 or at +15.

On your set the 50% setting is at “0″ .

The HD Guru 

A friend of mine just got a ps3, nintendo wii, and already had an XBOX 360 premium. He also just got a samsung 50 inch hdtv that is 720p whatever that means. However he also has a surround sound systemt that is not hooked up and a cable box that is also not hooked up. I want to be the hero and be able to hook all of this up for him but have no clue since there are so many variables. Can anyone help?

Connection information is included in the owners’ manuals of all the sources and the HDTV so start there. A thorough reading of all the infomation contained with the manuals should provide you with the means to get everything connected. Always uses the best connection available for video (I have covered this in previous comments) i.e. HDMI for PS3, component video  with the others.

The HD Guru 

Also experiment with your scalers. If you have an upscaling dvd player for example,experiment to see if your tv’s scaler looks better then the dvd player or any other associated equipment with upscaling. You may be surprised at the results.

Just a comment regarding your step 1 and never laying the TV flat on it’s face. The manual for new Sharp 62U TVs explicitly state to lay the TV on it’s face to install the stand.

ft

Interesting. . While the Shaarp TV may indeed support its own weight sufficently enough with the screen on its face (many don’t) if there is anything on the floor that is laying around when you place the screen on the floor the delicate glass will likely crack. With my recommended method you take no changes.  Using their suggestion, you gamble. Pick one

The HD Guru

With the HDMI cable is more expensive better?

Read my HDMI article in the archive

The HD Guru 

Gary
Thanks for giving us the STRAIGHT scoop on HDTV and cutting through all the BS that we keep getting from the advertisers!!!!!

I will be getting a sony 40″ bravia xbr LCD 1080p. I will need a hd cable box, Do I need to connect cable wire to f connector or get a cable box with a hdmi connection? I do not want to much trouble in connecting tv,I have a AB switch now so my wife can watch and record another channel. Thanks,ps: I am not very good in electronic connections.

You may connect the cable directly to the LCD if you only want to watch the local broadcast network channels your cable company provides. All premium cable fare is scrambled requiring use of an HD cable box connected to your Sony. If you want to record using an external device such as a DVD recorder you can split the cable signal prior to entering the HD box (using a splitter). Contact your cable provider to make sure you have adaquate signal before splitting (the cable provider can test your signal strength and boost it if necessary.

The HD Guru 

Dear HD Guru,

Thanks so much for this awesome site. I tried to buy a book to help me with my set-up, but had no luck of any kind until I found your site via a TV commercial. When are you coming out with your “HDTV For Dummies” book !!!

I am in the market for an HDTV for my bedroom and I’m considering a plasma model. In the past I’ve always thought I would steer clear of plasma because of burn-in problems, but based on your articles, that seems to be less of a problem now.

However I have one question. When watching 4×3 programming I prefer to watch it with sidebars rather than stretching the picture. If I watch a lot of 4×3 programming will the sidebars cause an issue such as burn-in (or maybe the opposite of burn-in)?

If you follow the directions for break-in and setting of the plasma’s user controls found in the plasma/lcd article in the archive you should not have an issue with burn-in.

The HD Guru 

HDMI Cables!!!

You can get them on Amazon.com for less than $10 each plus shipping. They work just fine. Don’t believe the salesperson at Best Buy that tries to sell you a Monster Cable for $160. You won’t notice the difference.

I just got a Samsung 42″ DLP TV how long does the light bulb in these tv last? what is the cost to replace them? and how much better is 1080p then 1080i?

Lamp life is most affected by the number of turn on/shut off cycles. I recommend leaving it on rather than turning it off every time you leave and plan to return. Check with Samsung for rated lifetime.

HD Guru 

Is it possible for a built-in/Integrated tuner to be strong enough that one does not need an antenna in order to receive Over-the-Air (OTA) digital broadcasts?

I purchased a Panasonic TH-50PX600U based on your recommendation, as well as Consumer Reports, and I’m able to receive HD broadcasts without having my indoor antenna turned on. My goal was to avoid the monthly expense of cable or satellite service and so I purchased an Indoor antenna, but now I’m thinking I don’t even need it.

By the way…your site is a tremendous source of information.

dear hdguru,
after buying an hd dlp tv and blu-ray disc player, what is the best home theatre system to complete the dream room and what are the best wires or cables? thanks for your time

Dear Guru, I had cable in home since the 70,s. Recently had IO digital installed.Cable man had to run rg6 coaxial cable from pole to basement. I still have old thinner coxial throughout house,he installed a amplifier to boost signal,so I could receive signal for Digital. I want to purchase a HDTV. Will I receive Good HD? I will be spending $3000.00 on a Sony 40″ xbr2, But worried? Would very much appreciate your comment.

Dear Guru,

I just bought a Mitsubishi WD-57831. I have used component wires for most of my components.

Here is my issue. I have an XBOX 360 that currently does not have an HDMI cable available, it only has component. The other thing is my TV doesnt allow 1080P to be input into the TV using Component. It only allows 1080i. Can I use a componnet to HDMI coupler?

Second question… is there any difference between a 20 dollar HDMI cable and a 300 dollar HDMI cable? Is this BS that Monster is telling me?

Thanks,
Will

There is no such item as a component video to HDMI converter on the market. Please read my “what retailers won’t tell you about HDMI cables” article in the archive but the short simple answer is no.

HD Guru 

Hey, I purchased aa Symphonic 32″ hdtv. When I connect the hdmi cable to the satellite receiver box, and turn on the t.v., it acts like it loses its signal intermittently. What could the problem be, on the normal channels, it functions properly. Could it be the almost $40.00 hdmi cable?

Could be the HDMI cable, the TV or the Sat box. First exchange the cable, if you still have a problem call the customer service department of your Sat provider for a service call, it may be a bad box. If the box is good too, its your TV.

HD Guru 

I have hdtv and the hdtv channels are beautiful. But the other channels that are not high definition are not very clear . They have a little fuzzyness to them. Do you think there is somthing wrong with the TV or the cable .

Upconversion of standard def channels is very challaging for the HDTVs internal scaler and some sets do a better job than others. A poor signal will make the problem worse. Check with you cable provider to have them come to you home and test your signal.

HD Guru  

Will buying the Monster caliibration wizard DVD be a good Idea for calibrating my HD TV.

Yes. It will help you properly set the user controls on you HDTV.

It will allow you to color “calibrate” the white balance of your TV (know as ISF Calibration) This requires sophisticated test equipment and specific training. You can find a trained tech at imagingscience.com if you are interested in this service

 HD Guru

Dear HD Guru,
My plasma HDTV just started to cut off the top and bottom of the picture. When watching a sporting event I lose the top half of the score shown and when I’m watching headline news I don’t see the ticker tape that scrolls on the bottom of the picture. How can I fix this

Either your TV, or set top box or both are set to the wrong aspect ratio. HDTV should be set to “Full” source box set to widescreen (or will read 16:9)

HD Guru

I use an antenna for local channels. Just recently I have black bars on the left and right side of the screen? TV is set to 16×9. However when I switch to my satelite I see the 16×9 OK? Any ideas? Program is HD.. NFL, channel 6-1? Scott

LIZ from 13 Jan-

Also make sure that the TV or cable/satellite box is not set to “zoom”.

HD Guru….. How do I hook up to my hdtv, when There is a AB switch connected before box, that is so my wife can watch and tape dvd’s? I want to use HDMI cable. thanks John.

Dear HD Guru:

I must be a dolt? I can’t find the archived article on “break-in and setting of the plasma’s user controls (found in the plasma/lcd article).”
Can you direct, or repost?

Thanks,
Rich

Check the Nov. archive for LCD vs. Plasma and Dec. archive for  “Setting Up Your New HDTV”

The HD Guru

I HAVE A 50INCH HDTV PANASONIC CONECTED TO A HD SATELITE BOX MY HD CHANNELS LOOK GREAT; BUT THE REST FORGET IT. HELP ME OUT GURU

Contact your satellite provider and have a technician look at the the picture. You may have incorrect settings on the satellite box.

The HD Guru 

this is part of message i sent on 1/16/07
this is the amp im using.its a sony digital cinema sound/cimema studio ex..just thought i would let you know what all this was getting connected to..thank you

Dear HD Guru,

I have recently purchased a 60″ Sony SXRD HDTV that I want to hook up to my surround sound. I have a Bose lifestyle system that does not have HDMI in or out. I have an HD DVR cable box from my provider. I have my DVR hooked up to the HDTV with a HDMI cable. For my audio is it better to go from the DVR to the Bose brain with an optical cable and turn the sound off on the TV or should I go from the optical out on the TV to the Bose brain. Please let me know what you think.

It is easier to take the digital audio out of the DVR into the Bose, though you need to check for lip sync issues. If you have them try the other way (I asssume it will pass the digital audio through, you may have to check the TV owner’s manual to confirm)

The HD Guru 

Thanks,
Jason

My 37″ Panasonic Plasma and my 46″ Sony Bravia flat panel LCD are both 768P.I have Direct tv and in the setup menu for the HD recievers My options are 1080I or 720P. What would be the proper choice?
Right now I have the Direct tv recievers set at 1080I. thanks

If you can only choose one setting, leave it at 1080i. Some set top boxes will allow display of native 720p (i.e.ABC-HD) as 720p and  native 1080i as 1080i. If your box does it, I would put in into that mode.

The HD Guru 

Every Tuesday at 8:00AM eastern time,HD NET broadcasts test patterns which can help you calibrate your set.

HD NET is available on Direct TV and Dish network.

If you whant to get it very good,I’d recommend a ISF calibration.

I HAVE A BOSE LIFESTYLES 27 SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO HOOK MY COMCAST HD CABLE BOX AND 50″ PANASONIC VIERA PLAZMA TO IT TO MAXIMIZE IT ABLILTY.

I am not familier with the Bose system so I can’t make specific recommendations. Generally speaking one should connect an HDTV or HD source to the surround sound via HDMI if available, if not use the digital audio output (coaxial or SPDIF-optical)

The HD Guru 

where did my ? go..?

I have a toshiba 46″ HDTV. I also have a Scientific-Atlanta HD DVR Cable Box. I have the ration set at Full and the Widescreen choice on the Cable. I only get the screen filled when I watch HD broadcast channels. Is there a way to fill screen on all channels without the stretch or zoom mode? ty

No. That’s what these modes are for.  Something as to give when you try to fill a rectangle with a near square image.

The HD Guru 

Hi!
Great site!

I have a samsung 40″ plasma set with PIP and can not get a signal to the PIP. Comcast has sent 3 tech’s to get it to work but no solution. I get a PIP window but no picture. HELP!!!!

Have you contacted Samsung customer service?

The HD Guru 

Hello!
I just got a Magnavox 37″ LCD HDTV. The picture is nice, but there are clouds when the screen is black, there is an especially noticeable one in the top, left corner of the screen. Will this go away as the screen gets ‘broken in’ or should I exchange it?
Thanks for your help,
Mike

Exchange it, they will not go away.

The HD Guru 

After several weeks of research & visting show rooms & ware houses I choose the sony kld-46xbr2 which I purchased (so I thought) at Costco on 1/31/06. When I tried to register the warranty I discovered I had model kdl-46v25l1 & sonys web site did not recognise that model, so I call sony support & was told this is a ware house model they
needed to register it. I asked what the differences are between the models & she told me the kdl46v25li is an early model made 1/06 & kdl46xbr2 is a newer mdl. made 8/06 & had
more features, but she was unsure of what they are. Now I am upset that after all my research I
have a older T.V. with less features. Do you know what features the 46xbr2 has that the 46v25l1 dose not have?

The model you have is known as a derivitive model, it probably share the same chassis with another Sony LCD. Call Sony back and confirm which model it is derived from (possibly the 2500 series 46″) Then go to the Sony website to compare the specs and features.

The HD Guru 

Hello. I have a new toshiba 20hl67 lcd tv and the latest direct tv hd satellite box. I connected the hdmi and-no picture! Direct tv technician who put up their newest dish told me that the hdmi connections are not compatible with Toshibas. I’ve tried 2 new cords. Toshiba says they know nothing about this. Direct tv just says it’s not compatible, so use component. (The direct tv box is also the 2nd one-and new!). What brands ARE HDMI compatible? (I’m not an AV geek). Not happy!

Does anybody know the answer to the question above?

how would i go about hookin up my remote to my TV Guide

what is the highest recommended for plasma tv’s… particularly samsung FPT5884… thanks

I have a Mitsubishi 65″ wide screen, Bright House Network HD box, JVC DVD player.. When watching widescreen DVD movies, it’s not filling the full screen. I cannot find in the menu for the cable nor TV to check the aspect ratio, but the DVD is set to 16:9. DVD is using Component 1. Help…

In your article “Setting up your new HDTV”, you mentioned another archived article you had written with lots of screen set up details— (I have written about setting the controls in more detail, see the archive button). But, I cannot locate that archived article. I went thru all the archived months. Hope you can help locate it. Many thanks—a great web site!!

I have a panasonic 42 plasma. I have dish network and just purchased a 100.00 dollar monster cord because the dish rep said,”that the others are not that clear” and Best Buy said, “they have had several cords break”. Idiot, I know. I have since purchased a DVD and called Dish to trouble shoot, but said they no nothing about hooking up DVD units since it is not from Dish and said that I needed to go purchase another HDMI cord. Hate Dish! Do I really need two have 2 cords for my dish receiver and a dvd? Please let me know.

Hi Guru

I have;
Panasonic hdtv plasma with one hdmi input
Direct tv hd satilite box with one hdmi output
Sony blu ray with one hdmi output
Bose 3-2-1 seris receiver w/sub and 2 bose speaers however no hdmi in/output

How do I get all these connected to get the full HD viewing experience and have all sound going thru bose surround system.

Thanks
Lisa

I just got Wii. I hooked it up to an old tv with no AV outputs. I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4200 with AV outputs. I just can’t seem to get it to work.
Please Help.

Thanks Jeff

Greetings, Guru;
I’m considering a new flat-screen. My understanding is that a digital tuner will soon be required, and I’m also told “digital” reception is much, much better than analog, which would be a good thing, since OTA reception here stinks. A visit to AntennaWeb indicates digital reception to my area code/address consists of only one additional station than what I’m already getting OTA (which I plan on keeping, i.e., no cable available, no “dish” desired.). It seems to me, I may as well wait until 2009, since electronic device prices always seem to retreat over time. Can you provide insight I may have missed? (For your use only, my address is 425 Spencer Creek Road, Kalama, WA, 98625.

Thanks for your attention!

D.

Hi Guru,

I couldn’t get any image on my television using the HDMI cable, I tried all three HDMI connections and made sure that the t.v. was set to the corresponding input and none of them gave me a picture. I called my cable company and they told me to just go ahead and use the component cables that they provided with the HD cable box. They also told me that HDMI cables are very unreliable and they don’t reccomend using them. I finally got a picture using the component cables and the image on HD is awesome, but I am disappointed that I couldn’t use HDMI, what did I do wrong?

Guru,
I’m trying to set up my Bose 3-2-1 system to my 42″ Panasonic HD Plasma. I have an HDMI cable connecting the HD cable box to my TV (picture is great) and would like to set up the audio to run through my Bose system. The Bose system does not have any HDMI connections. I’ve tried connecting my cable box to my Bose system, but am not hearing anything. Even though my video is via HDMI, can I still hear the audio via regular cables between the Bose and the HD cable box?

can I connect dvd cable and satelite together to mine hdtv using yust ahdmi cable

I would like to connect my TV to my Home Theater, but the TV only has a SPDIF connection and the HT only has a RCA input, is there some equipment that will connect these?

I have HDTV with comcast cable box and surround sound system I can watch the HDTV and use the surround sound but when I want to watch a DVD I
hook the surround sound to the YPB inputs on the
HDTV but I get a hum and when I go back to watch
just TV if I unhook the YPB the hum goes away
but I seem to need the YPB inputs to view or hear
anything for the DVD. The DVD is part of the receiver I use for the Surround sound. Any idea
why I have the Hum in my speakers
Thanks Chuck

I just purchased the Bose Lifestyle V30. I am trying to hook up my Sony Blue Ray S350 through the Bose system with an HDMI Cable. I am only getting 2.0 sound instead of 5.1. I called Bose and they suggested that I run an optical cable instead of the HDMI. It does give me the 5.1 sound. Does anyone know another way to fix this while still using my HDMI cable. The bose guy said that the HDMI cable is not outputing at 5.1. Is this correct?

I am having the same problem as Trinity. We bought the Bose V20 and the Sony Blu Ray S350 and I keep getting 2.0 sound too. I was thinking of just hooking everything up to the new TV- Sony Bravia XBR and use the Bose System as the sound through the TV. I am not sure if that will work. I want to make sure I am using the HSDMI also.

I have a Samsung DLP TV early model(HLM507WX1XAA] is Direct TV’s HDTV service compatible. This unit has no HDMI input but does have a DVI input.

[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI have a Samsung DLP TV early model(HLM507WX1XAA] is Direct TV’s HDTV service compatible. This unit has no HDMI input but does have a DVI input. [...]

I cannot seem to get the hi def picture to fill the screen of my 26″ sony bravia. I’ve set up a number of HD tvs and set top boxes over time and just can’t figure out what I am not doing correctly… 1080 is how picture is coming off set top box. This is my first experience with LCD set. other sets are rear screen lcds. but should not make a difference. I have tv set to full screen. set to set to 1080.. pls help

further to my last message, the Non HD channels fill the screen. and the HD play in either letter box or with bar on top and below.

settings – tv -wide mode: full
tv – 4:30 default : normal
tv -auto wide – on

setting box – picture format 1080i
picture size – normal

the tv seems to ovveride any set top box settings thx again

one more.. not sure how I changed settings .. but hi def now in letterbox

Hi I have a Samsung 1080p 50 inch plasma and I have been trying to connect my Wii to it on both the component input and the scart but cannot get it to work. Am I missing something?

My XBR 6 which is hooked up to satellite always reverts back to cable/TV when turned off…what is happening ? What can I do to do solve the problem.The manual is not all that specific. Cheers

hello.. i have an element 42” plasma and a sony surround sound 5.1 dolby receiver.. now i just got the comcast hd receiver and i also have my ps3 as well i have an optical cable hooked up to the tv to the receiver and red white and yellow wires to the tv to the receiver as well .. and all the wires needed to be from the hd box to the tv are hooked up so how can i get 5.1 surround sound from my surround sound receiver??

Help! I purchased a 47″ full hd 1080p LG tv for my family for Christmas. We have a Kenwood surround system, a Pioneer DVD player a Magnavox VCR and an Xbox 360 elite that we want to all be connected so the surround works for everything. I am totally lost. Could you please advise this old woman step by step so I can get this ready for Christmas? Thank you so much for your time and consideration and I hope your holiday is truely exceptional!!!

Just adding to my previous question. I have a Kenwood vr-507 surround sound receiver that has digital, coaxial and analog audio input connections. Will this work with a new hdtv? If so please explain how. I an also connecting an hd cable box, dvd, vcr and xbox 360. THANKS!!!!!

I purchased an HDTV and when I connected it to a non HDTV cablebox I lost all of the other TVs in the house and I cant get anything to work
Cablevision technicians have been unable to fix the problem
The minute I attached my toshiba 52 HDTV I somehow blew the cable in the entire house including optimum online internet reception
The cable company said that I have excellent cable input at all TVS and cant explain why I dont get reception on old and new TVs..they are stumped – something about the signal in is good but the return isnt? any ideas/

i presently have a 50″ panosonic plasma tv, direct tv box (not HD), sony dvd recorder. I just purchased a Panosonic 35 Blu-Ray that i will replace the dvd recorder. How and Can i hook it up with a hdmi cable (the direct tv box is not hdmi access). please help.

Hey i have a 32″ Samsung LCD tv. All my HD channels are fine but my normal channels have the sides cut off and i am on 16:9 once i switch to 4:3 they go away but is there like an option to keep it that way for the normal channels because everytime i want to switch to a normal channel it has the sides cut off and i have to manually change it everytime it doesn’t do it automatically and it gets really annoying.

Just set up my new Sharp LC46D64U one week ago. Although this set is advertised as a 1080p display format, all I ever get for a display format is 480i. How can I set this TV to display in 1080p format? Thank you.

… to add to my previous question >>> I have a comcast HDMI cable box connected to the TV with an HDMI cable. Even when viewing an HD program, the display indicates a 480i display format???

I recently purchased a 47″ 1080p LCD by Philips. I need some help connecting my TV, the digital cable box (Which does have an HDMI output), and a Playstation 3. I understand that the concept is pretty easy and it requires an HDMI cable but my question is how many cables do I need with those 3 variables and is that the only cable I need since I am not connecting anything to a receiver? Also, can you recommend a certain brand of HDMI cable? I only need about a 3ft cord or so.

i have a 42 inch panasonic plasma tv that i bought over a year ago. I cannot get my HD stations to work at all. I have them cut off on the sides and from top to bottem, can you please help me. Right now i have the cablevision HD clables but i do have a HDMI cable. Not sur ehow to program tv

Hi, I have a 42in Toshiba LCD tv which I purchased at best buy 3 weeks ago. I brought it home and set it up and everything worked fine. Last week I had my cable converter box changed because I was getting a 114 error message while trying to use video on demand but everything else worked. He setup the box an everything worked well until I turned the tv off and back on. Now i cannot change the channels. He replaced the box today and I have the same problem with a second box. I discovered that if it turn off the tv and leave the converter box on, the channels change. What should I do?

dear guru
just purchased a new hitachi lcd 47″ tv and am having trouble hooking up the bose 3 2 1 home theater. It is an older bose, AV series. Help

Dear Guru, I have a 46 inch Toshiba LCD TV.I just traded a HD Scientific Atlanta cable box,which worked great,for a SA DVR box from charter cable Co.Now I can no longer operate the DVR without turning off the TV? The cable repairman told me the signal from the TV was stronger than the signal from the DVR box and was overriding the signal.What can I do to fix this problem other than contact Toshiba to fix,if they even will fix the problem? Please give me your expert advice,Thanks!