A Foxtel question

[Ext User(Netmask)]

A couple of friends have Foxtel (I don't) and have recently upgraded from a
crt 4:3 TV to LCD 16:9. One is a Samsung and the other a SONY - both top of
the line models.

It seems the only way to get the correct aspect ratio is to set the LCD on
4:3, consequently any widescreen material via the Foxtel box is fitted with
the 4:3 frame. No setting of the either the Foxtell box and or the LCD's can
get a full screen 16:9 without aspect ratio distortion (assuming Foxtel are
broadcasting a letterboxes 16:9 movie). Is there a newer Foxtel set top box
that addresses this problem? We really have tried every combo.
Both my friends are film fanatics and can't stand squashed or thin
pictures - they are happy with black bars all around if necessary as long as
the aspect ratio of the original film is preserved but surely there should
be a way to expand the image in a linear manner to at least partially fill
the 16:9 canvas?

[Ext User(Netmask)]

"Sunny" <wombatlodge@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:NM_Jj.6416$n8.838@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "Netmask" <netmask56NOSPAM@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:k7_Jj.6408$n8.5422@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> |A couple of friends have Foxtel (I don't) and have recently upgraded from
> a
> | crt 4:3 TV to LCD 16:9. One is a Samsung and the other a SONY - both top
> of
> | the line models.
> |
> | It seems the only way to get the correct aspect ratio is to set the LCD
> on
> | 4:3, consequently any widescreen material via the Foxtel box is fitted
> with
> | the 4:3 frame. No setting of the either the Foxtell box and or the LCD's
> can
> | get a full screen 16:9 without aspect ratio distortion (assuming Foxtel
> are
> | broadcasting a letterboxes 16:9 movie). Is there a newer Foxtel set top
> box
> | that addresses this problem? We really have tried every combo.
> | Both my friends are film fanatics and can't stand squashed or thin
> | pictures - they are happy with black bars all around if necessary as
> long as
> | the aspect ratio of the original film is preserved but surely there
> should
> | be a way to expand the image in a linear manner to at least partially
> fill
> | the 16:9 canvas?
>
>
> I have a Samsung LCD 100cm, and had a similar problem until I downloaded
> the user guide for the foxtel box
> (the original manual was missing the set up bits)
> http://www.foxtel.com.au/1354.htm
>
> One of the pages attached :-)
>
Thanks for that - but somehow I think we have exhausted all variables unless
there is a hidden menu or access port? I don't know the model numbers but
I'll ring my technophobe friends and find out (not on internet too risky!!!)

[Ext User(annily)]

"Netmask" <netmask56NOSPAM@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:k7_Jj.6408$n8.5422@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>A couple of friends have Foxtel (I don't) and have recently upgraded from a
>crt 4:3 TV to LCD 16:9. One is a Samsung and the other a SONY - both top of
>the line models.
>
> It seems the only way to get the correct aspect ratio is to set the LCD on
> 4:3, consequently any widescreen material via the Foxtel box is fitted
> with the 4:3 frame. No setting of the either the Foxtell box and or the
> LCD's can get a full screen 16:9 without aspect ratio distortion (assuming
> Foxtel are broadcasting a letterboxes 16:9 movie). Is there a newer Foxtel
> set top box that addresses this problem? We really have tried every combo.
> Both my friends are film fanatics and can't stand squashed or thin
> pictures - they are happy with black bars all around if necessary as long
> as the aspect ratio of the original film is preserved but surely there
> should be a way to expand the image in a linear manner to at least
> partially fill the 16:9 canvas?
>
>

I don't understand why there should be a problem. I have a 16:9 CRT and
simply set the picture settings in the Foxtel menu to:

Aspect Ratio Control: By STU
TV Type 16:9
4:3 Programme Display: Pillar Box

Foxtel channels broadcast in 16:9 (not all are) will then display full
screen on a 16:9 TV. 4:3 programs will have black bars either side.

I don't know why a 16:9 LCD should be any different. Are there aspect ratio
controls on the TV?