Outputting 16:9 to a 4:3 TV with letterbars? at DVinfo.net

Ben Winter · February 7th, 2006, 05:33 PM

The footage plays on the LCD with the bars at the top and bottom but on my 4:3 TV it's stretched to fill the screen. Playing with the S-video 16:9/4:3 setting in the menu does nothing. Is it possible to output widescreen footage to a 4:3 to include the bars at the top and bottom, rather than having to watch my footage in 16:9 stretched to 4:3? Thanks.

Joel Kreisel · February 9th, 2006, 12:40 AM

Are you playing back recorded footage or using the camera in recording mode? In recording mode the camera will only output squished 480i. In playback mode, the only glitch I know of is that DV and SD don't play properly through the Component (Y/Pb/Pr) output, but it sounds like you're using HD footage and the S-Video connector, right? If that's the case it sounds like a problem with your camera, although unfortunately I don't have mine on hand to test it right now. I always just dump the video to my computer and watch it, so I've only used it on a TV a couple times.

Dave Ferdinand · February 9th, 2006, 12:33 PM

Mine is always squished on my 4:3 TV. The only way I have to get it right is to display it on my HDTV...

No, I don't think there's an option to change this.

Ben Winter · February 9th, 2006, 09:21 PM

I figured as much. Thanks.

February 10th, 2006, 08:14 AM

If you go to the system menu in playback mode, there is a S/Video option. The options are 4:3 TV and 16:9 TV.
There is also Y/Pb/Pr option to select the conversion if you are going that route.

Eric Larson

Ben Winter · February 10th, 2006, 10:46 AM

Eric, I saw that option before and noted earlier that it didn't work. Is there something else I need to do to make it work?

Joel Kreisel · February 11th, 2006, 03:37 AM

This is odd, because I seem to recall it working for me last time I tried it. Let me fire off an email to my colleague that has the camera right now and see what he comes up with in testing it.

February 7th, 2006, 05:33 PM	#1
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Outputting 16:9 to a 4:3 TV with letterbox bars? The footage plays on the LCD with the bars at the top and bottom but on my 4:3 TV it's stretched to fill the screen. Playing with the S-video 16:9/4:3 setting in the menu does nothing. Is it possible to output widescreen footage to a 4:3 to include the bars at the top and bottom, rather than having to watch my footage in 16:9 stretched to 4:3? Thanks. __________________ BenWinter.com Last edited by Ben Winter; February 7th, 2006 at 08:03 PM.

February 9th, 2006, 12:33 PM	#3
Dave Ferdinand Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 359	Mine is always squished on my 4:3 TV. The only way I have to get it right is to display it on my HDTV... No, I don't think there's an option to change this. __________________ Do or do not, there is no try.

February 9th, 2006, 09:21 PM	#4
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	I figured as much. Thanks. __________________ BenWinter.com

February 10th, 2006, 08:14 AM	#5
Eric Larson Posts: n/a	System Menu If you go to the system menu in playback mode, there is a S/Video option. The options are 4:3 TV and 16:9 TV. There is also Y/Pb/Pr option to select the conversion if you are going that route. Eric Larson

February 10th, 2006, 10:46 AM	#6
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Eric, I saw that option before and noted earlier that it didn't work. Is there something else I need to do to make it work? __________________ BenWinter.com

February 9th, 2006, 12:40 AM	#2
Joel Kreisel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 44	Are you playing back recorded footage or using the camera in recording mode? In recording mode the camera will only output squished 480i. In playback mode, the only glitch I know of is that DV and SD don't play properly through the Component (Y/Pb/Pr) output, but it sounds like you're using HD footage and the S-Video connector, right? If that's the case it sounds like a problem with your camera, although unfortunately I don't have mine on hand to test it right now. I always just dump the video to my computer and watch it, so I've only used it on a TV a couple times.

February 11th, 2006, 03:37 AM	#7
Joel Kreisel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 44	This is odd, because I seem to recall it working for me last time I tried it. Let me fire off an email to my colleague that has the camera right now and see what he comes up with in testing it.