No 4:3 aspect when using an HDMI cable?

[achtungpv]

So, I have a Hitachi P42H401 Plasma HDTV. When I use an HDMI cable to connect my cable box to the TV, 4:3 aspect ratio is no longer a valid selection. Only 4:3 stretched is available along with all the 16:9 choices.

The problem with this is that ALL broadcast HD channels (in Austin anyway)...ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc...all display correctly as 16:9 when using the 4:3 aspect. When using a 16:9 aspect setting, the screen is stretched (i.e. football players appear short and stocky) and the far edges are off the screen.

Is there a way around this? HD looks like crap using any cables other than HDMI.

[edDV]

So, I have a Hitachi P42H401 Plasma HDTV. When I use an HDMI cable to connect my cable box to the TV, 4:3 aspect ratio is no longer a valid selection. Only 4:3 stretched is available along with all the 16:9 choices.

The problem with this is that ALL broadcast HD channels (in Austin anyway)...ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc...all display correctly as 16:9 when using the 4:3 aspect. When using a 16:9 aspect setting, the screen is stretched (i.e. football players appear short and stocky) and the far edges are off the screen.

Is there a way around this? HD looks like crap using any cables other than HDMI.

Austin? Time Warner? Sci Atlanta HD box? Which model?
Somewhere in your cable box menus you will find a menu selection for 4:3 with sidebars vs. 4:3 stretch.

[achtungpv]

Yes to all the questions. It's model 8300HD. Seems that I needed to add all the various resolutions that my TV can handle. You turn the DVR off, hit GUIDE & INFO and select the various resolutions. That fixed it. It would be nice if that info was actually in the DVR's book instead of having to search on the internet for the info. It works perfect now!