Embedded Codes in Broadcast Digital TV Signals

[racingintherain]

My HD TV, like most, offers several options for display settings like Auto, Wide, 16X9, 16X9 with subtitles, etc. On some broadcast signals, all of these choices are available for me to use. On others, only Auto and Wide are active with the rest greyed out. When this occurs, Wide is usually the wrong choice and Auto sometimes causes the picture to expand and contract during the broadcast, which is mildly annoying. Can one of our experts enlighten me on what is triggering these options and why Auto seems to "get confused" during a broadcast?

I appreciate any education offered.

Regards,

Racingintherain

[edDV]

On my HDTV, all aspect ratio choices are available for analog NTSC/SD inputs but are limited for digital and HD inputs.

This varies by TV model.

[racingintherain]

Thanks edDV. In the case in question, I am feeding an antenna into the coax input of the set. In this mode I am only watching digital broadcasts and yet the options vary between channel and show. HD broadcasts are no problem, but SD seem to occasionally provide this annoyance. No biggie, just curious.

Regards,

Racingintherain

[Krispy Kritter]

The question would be whether your TV has only a standard SD tuner or one capable of SD and HD. In which case, you are likely tuning to the HD channel which is broadcasting SD and HD material. This is especially noticable during commercials as the TV switches from HD to SD and also falls into edDV's comment above concerning restrictions on HD inputs.