TV Picture diffenences between HD and non HD

Well, it all depends on your source, but I'll tell you what I have. I recently purchased a Sony 34" widescreen HDTV. My primary sources are my Progressive Scan DVD player and my Time Warner Cable 8000HD cable box. When I am viewing an HD channel from from TWC it is displayed in all it's HD wonder and beauty and takes up the entire screen. The settings on my TV allow me to alter the way that almost any signal is displayed - I can change it from Normal to Zoom, etc.

When I zoom a non-HD channel I do notice that it is somewhat distorted so I generally don't make changes, I take whatever the cable box is giving me - which is usually the black bars on the left and right side of the display, although these can be changed in the cable box settings, too.

I don't know if all of this info makessense or has helped you in any way but feel free to ask additional questions. Also, if you are planning to view HD content from a satellite or cable company, try to find a retailer (or go to the local cabel company office) and take a look at it. My local Time Warner office keeps a variety of TV's in their lobby to highlight the various options and has a widescreen tube TV prominently displayed.
Good luck!

Don

The option to stretch non-widescreen (doesn't have to be HD, can include DVD, for example) is generally to prevent burn-in on certain sets. I don't believe LCD is subject to burn-in, so I would just display it boxed, whether the signal comes in over component/DVI/HDMI. There are those that maintain that standard definition signals on HD sets look better coming in through S-Video connections, since it "softens" the picture a bit. You might want to give that a try as well.

On my Plasma I stretch the screen to promote even wear across the entire display and to prevent burning the black bar image into the screen (Mentioned above) I got use to the stretched look and it dosen't bother me. There's two ways to stretch the screen. You can stretch the outside or the inside. by stretching the outside everything in the middle of the screen is normal. This is what I prefer. Enjoy your new TV!

Don,
I recently bought a Sony KD34XS955 HD set (tube). Which component cable do you recommend? I'll be getting my HD signals from Comcast Cable. Any good options for about $100 used?
thanks,

Hi The problem with the setting that stretches the picture to wide screen on on the outside edges is that there is a lot of distortion if there is a lot of action like football or war movies. This setting is more for talking heads. I put mine on standard 6:9 whatever that setting means which kinda compromises all around. Also I think the worst picture quality is local stations through Dish network because the signal goes up to the satellite first and then down through your satellite signal. So if you go that route, you may be disappointed with your purchase. I'm jealous already. Dan