Questions about Samsung TXM2797hf (1 Viewer)

I'm a new owner of this TV (nice bedroom addition) and I've got a couple questions hopefully someone here can help me answer. For starters, I'm using a Panny S35 Prog. Scan DVD player (why not for $100?). When watching a DVD, using the P. Size button on the remote you can switch between 'normal' and 'wide' mode. Is 'wide' mode the enhanced 16:9 picture that I want to use? Are there different aspect ratios that it is/isn't beneficial to use 'wide' mode? Or if a DVD is enhanced for widescreen, should I always use 'wide' mode?

Also, is it worthwhile to get into the service menu to unlock certain features? After reading the CNET review board, people seemed to be getting more out of their TXM2796, but I don't know if there are similar features to unlock with the TXM2797. This question is aside from picture improvements that could be gained from entering the service menu.

Lastly, what were some of the menu settings that you've found after using AVIA (or similar calibration disk) for setting the picture? Unfortunately I'm not in front of the tele, but I'll post what I came up with later tonight when I'm home.

Yes.

Thanks for your help. One further question, if I have a DVD that is encoded in 4:3, should I set the DVD player to output at 4:3 and then use 'normal' mode on the TV? Or, can I keep the DVD player outputting at 16:9 mode, and use 'normal' mode on the TV? Under the latter scenerio, would the image fill the whole screen? Or would it somehow be distorted with the 16:9 output from the DVD?

Maybe you've already addressed the above questions. What you seem to be suggesting is have the DVD player ALWAYS output at 16:9 mode, and then use the TVs 'wide' mode for enhanced 16:9 viewing, and 'normal' mode for everything else.

Darn Time Warner Cable in NYC ran out of HD Cable Boxes, I guess I'll have to wait a couple months to see how this puppy looks with an HD signal. Good thing I managed to get one a few months ago for my RPTV in the living room.

Once you've adjusted your DVD player's setup menu to output at 16:9 there's no need ever to return to it. A 4:3-encoded DVD signal will still be sent to the TV as a 4:3 image.