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Anamorphic DBS (1 Viewer)

Lanny Hoff

Stunt Coordinator
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Dec 20, 2000
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59
A friend of mine just got a new DirectTV PVR system, and he is telling me that he gets anamorphic broadcasts of things like movies on IFC, the Sopranos on HBO and other programming with "LB" designations.

I've got a DIshplayer system with the TV set to 16X9 on the settings page and I don't get the benefit of this at all.

What gives? Anybody have any advice, wisdom or observations?
 

Lanny Hoff

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
59
I don't think so.

He describes a situation where he'll tune into a program and the people are stretched vertically. He puts his TV into the "squeeze" mode and it turns out fine, exactly like an anamorphic DVD.

He reports a dramatic increase in picture quality.

The guy is a PhD, is smarter than anyone I know, is intimately familiar with the workings of his television, and is not pulling my leg.

Any other input?
 

Dmitry

Supporting Actor
Joined
Nov 30, 1998
Messages
742
DirecTV is set up to do anamorphic broadcasts if they wanted. The only one I was aware of was a PPV showing of Apocalypse Now 4 or 5 years ago, ever since they were just doing it as straight LB. I'll have to check this out, maybe they are starting to do it again? The only other explanation would be if he was watching an HD channel.
 

Lanny Hoff

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
59
Hmmm.

I'll do some more checking into this. I can't believe it's that rare.

Anybody else have experience with this?
 

Larry Schneider

Second Unit
Joined
Aug 9, 1999
Messages
356
It's very rare. I've seen two anamorphic programs on the History Channel, and there was a Cirque Soliel special on Bravo, I think, that was supposedly anamorphic. I've never seen an anamorphic movie on DirecTV.
 

Lanny Hoff

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
59
My friend reports that he gets the Sopranos, West Wing, several movies on IFC and other channels all in anamorphic format.

He has a brand-new receiver, could this have anything to do with it? I don't think the receiver is HD. It's a Sony with built-in PVR, dual tuners and is silver in color. Cost about $500 on the shelf and he is getting a rebate.
 

Michael Reuben

Senior HTF Member
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Feb 12, 1998
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21,763
Real Name
Michael Reuben
I suppose it's possible that the receiver is doing some sort of up-conversion. But none of these channels is sending out anamorphic broadcasts.

M.
 

Dmitry

Supporting Actor
Joined
Nov 30, 1998
Messages
742
I read some time ago on the TiVo Community Forum that the Sony's Ultimate TV box (which is probably what Lanny's friend has) will do an anamorphic upconversion (scaling) of sorts, similar to what Panasonic RP-91 DVD player does with non-enhanced LBX. So that could be it.
 

Lanny Hoff

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
59
Ahh! That could be it!

I'll do a little checking on this to get closer to the answer.

Thanks for the lead!
 

Lanny Hoff

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
59
That's the answer. The receiver that he has does a basic scaling maneuver that looks like it's anamorphic to his TV, which explains everything.

I'd say this is a desirable feature for a DBS receiver.
 

Allan Jayne

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Nov 1, 1998
Messages
2,405
>>>The receiver that he has does a basic scaling maneuver that looks like it's anamorphic to his TV.
Done right, this is a valuable feature for non-anamorphic wide screen programs. Used together with a 16:9 TV or a 4:3 TV with squeeze, the picture is much better than zoom (16:9 TV) or normal/letterbox (4:3 TV) because we have 480 scan lines in the picture instead of 360.
I wish DVD players and external doublers would incorporate this scaling.
Video hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm
 

Ben Williams

Auditioning
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
3
What exactly is this doing if it is not anamorphic? I've had multiple DTV boxes and all of them had a 16:9 switch but it never did anything. I have the RCA UltimateTV and I just assumed from the behavior that it was using anamorphic signals (several channels including ER on NBC, HBO, IFC, FMC)
Whatever it is, it is either anamorphic or emulates the same signal characteristic (skinny unless restretched) and it is great for my widescreen TV :) and is definitely better than just zooming in on regular letterbox material.
 

StevenW

Second Unit
Joined
Jul 4, 2000
Messages
363
For what its worth I remember seeing something like this about a year ago. I have digital cable, I think it was AMC and they were showing The Fly. The movie looked all stretched out like an anamorphic DVD would, and when I put the 16x9 squeeze on the picture looked great., I have always wondered about that :confused:
 

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