Sony HXD710 UK Widesreen Problem

[ady1]

Just purchased a HXD710 UK Sony,Very pleased with it apart from 1 problem widescreen programs eg ITV looks fine on analogue aerial but when watched through the inbuilt freeview the screen looks like it's stretched,I've got everything set at 16:9 and still have this problem.

Its a know issue,Freeview doesn't record in widescreen.

[grd2]

That's weird. I thought my 710 was recording widescreen - something else to check tonight!!

Certainly my non widescreen VCR seems to compress the widescreen picture from my digital output so i could watch widescreen by stretching the picture on my widescreen TV.

[Dutch]

My 910 records 16:9 programmes just fine.

Steve

[ady1]

Originally Posted by Dutch

My 910 records 16:9 programmes just fine.

Steve

Try ITV or BBC1

[eddyad]

Originally Posted by ady1

Just purchased a HXD710 UK Sony,Very pleased with it apart from 1 problem widescreen programs eg ITV looks fine on analogue aerial but when watched through the inbuilt freeview the screen looks like it's stretched,I've got everything set at 16:9 and still have this problem.

The TV should be set so it sets the aspect ratio automatically, according to the program source. All widescreen TVs have a set of aspect ratio settings, and one is the automatic option.

Widescreen programs are transmitted in 4:3 aspect ratio, just like 4:3 programs, but they contain a signal (in line 23 of the scan) to make TVs switch to stretch the picture to 16:9.

All DVD recordings are also in 4:3 format (as transmitted) but they should also contain the signal to make the TV switch to widescreen when necessary. However some DVD (not HDD) recording modes cannot carry the signal, and 16:9 programs look squashed. You can force 16:9 on the TV, but then 4:3 programs will look stretched if you don't reset to auto afterwards.

I wonder if you have set the TV to 16:9 and not auto?

The 710 should have a setting for the TV output (4:3 or 16:9). I've never fathomed exactly what this does - it has no effect when changed on a Pioneer DVD/HDD recorder connected to a Sony widescreeen TV.

Incidentally, your TV may have a 14:9 setting which I find better than 4:3 for 4:3 programs, as you lose very little of the image top and bottom and make better use of the TV screen. You may be able to set this as the non-widescreen default. It's a case of trial and error wit the TV.

[eddyad]

Originally Posted by smallmanongn

Its a know issue,Freeview doesn't record in widescreen.

Not exactly an issue. It uses an anamorphic 16:9 image (squashed) and recordings (as I mentioned above) should carry the widescreen switching signal when required.
In fact, I don't think any widescreen source 'records' in widescreen. They all work as above. If freeview wsa different from cable or satellite then recorders would have to know what sort of external source was connected for recording. In fact, it's just the same scart as a Freeview tuner uses.

Actually, satellite widescreen transmissions use a different system for switching. A signal is carried on pin 8 of the scart cable. The lack of the line 23 system causes all sorts of problems because many (most/all?) dvd recorders don't recognise the pin 8 signal, so do not put it in line 23 of the picture, so some TVs have to be expanded manually.

Aspect ratio switching has to be one of the most confusing and discussed items on this forum.

HDTV will be different, if it doesn't carry a spoiler signal so it can't be recorded at all

[Smith2004]

Is there not a seperate widescreen issue with the latest Sony recorders, in that dubbing a widescreen recording to +RW, +R and +R DL results in a 'letterbox' picture?

[eddyad]

Originally Posted by Smith2004

Is there not a seperate widescreen issue with the latest Sony recorders, in that dubbing a widescreen recording to +RW, +R and +R DL results in a 'letterbox' picture?

I don't know. My comments above were 'universal' about the way widescreen pictures are transmitted and need to be recorded.

However, the specifications of Video mode recording (on -R and -RW anyway) prevent the line 23 signal being recorded in some circumstances. I thinks it's connected to the bit rate. It certainly applies to LP mode on my Pioneer 420.