HD signals in Letterbox mode: Lose resolution? (1 Viewer)

[shankar]

Hi all,

I have a TN61X81 4:3 TV without the squeeze option. I watch HDTV programs using the letterbox option. Do I lose any resolution/information this way? Is it still HD or downconverted? Should I go back to defining my TV as 16:9 on my dish 6000 and watch tall skinny people just to get the full resolution? Thanks.

 

[Andy L]

You are theoretically losing resolution because the DTV receiver is having to throw out every 4th line of picture information to make the aspect ratio of the picture correct. That being said, most TVs can't show the full resolution of HDTV anyway so you may not be losing much in reality. My preference would be to watch the correct aspect ratio and not worry about the possible loss of resolution.

 

[Jack Briggs]

...as well as to start saving and budgeting for a 16:9 set or a 4:3 with a 16:9 mode.