Blackbars

[toneystone]

Wondering why on a few HD channels from DirecTV I get the black bars on each side. On the HR21 receiver I have the format to 1080I original format, Native (off), and display of 16X9. Of course I'm using HDMI cable and my TV is @ normal 16X9. Those channels that occur seems like these are the broadcasts not filmed in 16x9. I'm just guessing but most likely I'm incorrect. Can someone correct me?

[guns1inger]

Any broadcast that was filmed as 4:3 (1.33 : 1 OAR) and is broadcast in that aspect ratio will have black bars down the sides. This is known as Pillarboxing (as distinct from Letterboxing). Your options are to live with it, and see the entire frame as filmed, or use the zoom function on your TV to reframe the image. This usually results in a softer image and will cut off the top and bottom of the image.

[toneystone]

Ok, so the reason these 4:3 broadcasts that are on DirecTV HD channels show the blackbars is because the HD channel is 16X9? Why cant the receiver stretch these broadcasts instead of my TV?

[jagabo]

The original content is 4:3 but it is being broadcast as 16:9 by adding black bars to the sides. Your TV doesn't know it's a 4:3 image in a 16:9 frame. Some TVs have a zoom or stretch mode that will take the center portion of the image and stretch it out to 16:9. It will just get blurry and distorted.