The video quality of normal channels on my digital cable is terrible these days. If they suddenly started running free porn, I wouldn`t even bother watching it. That`s how bad it is. But I have to pay for cable to get the internets (it`s either that or a leased line). So I have to make the most of it. I got them to replace my cable box with a newer one that can receive the HD channels. Now I can get a bunch more channels which presumably are transmitted using a bitrate that isn`t total $#!+, but they are infested with black bar disease. 16:9 video uses only 75% of the screen, 4:3 video uses only 56% of the screen, and then there is the odd commercial with yet another helping of black bars which uses only 42% of the screen.
Please tell me there is a way to crop the signal so I can use 100% of the screen (which doesn`t involve booting a PC). The cable box has HDMI, YPbPr, S-video, composite outputs, and my monitors are 15KHz RGB/composite and 69KHz SVGA.
cropping 16:9 to 4:3
Re: cropping 16:9 to 4:3
What cable box do you have? What cable provider?
Re: cropping 16:9 to 4:3
It`s some type of Cisco box connected to Time Warner. I RTFM, and tried changing various settings on the cable box itself but none of them did anything to the low-res output. I just ordered a component-to-VGA converter box and I`ll see how that works out.
Re: cropping 16:9 to 4:3
Okay, I don't have that service and have never used a Cisco cable box, so I can't help much with specifics. However, I can tell you that generally, cable boxes have firmware settings that cannot be accessed through simple user interface use. The motorola boxes that I have used with Comcast have all been like this. Every setting in the UI is for standard stuff, usually the guide colours and stuff like that. If I want to make my cable box output 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i, I need to turn the box OFF, then press the Menu button, either on the remote or on the box. This turns the unit on, but brings it to a firmware setting screen in B&W. From there I have the option to set the actual output. It can force 480i TV shows to 480p, 720p, or 1080i, and has settings for which type of TV is connected, 4.3 or wide. Not setting this stuff up properly, you can wind up with never receiving an actual HD broadcast, even from HD channels. Somehow I suspect this is what is going on with your cable box setup.
The first time I got an HD cable box, the technician did nothing to set this up, probably because he did not know that configuration screen even existed. I didn't even find it by reading the manual, because none was left for me. I had to google around for it after going nuts for three weeks, paying for HD but not getting an HD signal. Plug your cable box model number into google and see if you can find any tips.
Edit: I don't know if this is your cable box, but I googled around and found this instruction manual for a Cisco box that it seems Time Warner uses. Page 8 goes through its funky procedure of selecting the proper outputs.
The first time I got an HD cable box, the technician did nothing to set this up, probably because he did not know that configuration screen even existed. I didn't even find it by reading the manual, because none was left for me. I had to google around for it after going nuts for three weeks, paying for HD but not getting an HD signal. Plug your cable box model number into google and see if you can find any tips.
Edit: I don't know if this is your cable box, but I googled around and found this instruction manual for a Cisco box that it seems Time Warner uses. Page 8 goes through its funky procedure of selecting the proper outputs.