I have a Sony 34XBR960N HD TV, a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR and am using Time Warner Cable.
I have seen some great information on this forum in reference to the Philips Model DVDR3576 but I'm still having a problem viewing the signal through the 3576 on my TV - the HD channels are always in 4:3 letterboxed format no matter what I try - black bar on top and bottom.
I tried a couple of different types of connections - first the one suggested with the 3576 being first in line and then with the DVR first in line and I even hooked up the unit according to Philip's instructions in their "Quick Start Guide."
With the first connection mentioned above I used the S-video out w/audio cables from the DVR to the recorder (E1) and the HDMI cable out of the recorder to the TV. I also used S-video in and HDMI out for the other two configurations.
The analog channels show in full screen but the HD channels are 4:3 letterboxed.
As pointed out by another member the S-video out is 480i going into the recorder. How do I get that format to a full screen 16:9 image?
I've gone through the setup for the 3576 trying to change the ratio, with no luck.
Is there anyone who has the same type of combination of components I have that is able to view the HD channels full screen using the Philips Model DVDR3576? And if yes, how did you accomplish it?
I have the same Sony tv as you. When I record a HD show on my Philips DVDR3576 (via my cable tv hookup) and go to play it back, it shows up in 4:3 format, but only squished horizontally, not vertically. I just press the screen button on the tv remote and go from normal to full. Voila - a beautiful full screen picture! - even though I record in SP mode on the HDD instead of the best quality speed.
Since your picture is coming up letterboxed, have you tried changing the screen aspect using your Sony remote from normal to zoom? That's what I do when I'm watching a show that comes up 4:3 letterboxed on an analog channel. But then the picture gets a tad fuzzy.
BTW - My Philips is connected through the component video jacks.
The more I look into this problem the more I'm convinced the problem lies with the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVRS-video output not being able to show something called 16:9anamorphic format - which should show full screen without having to zoom or do anything else to the picture.
The SA 8300HD I am using through Time Warner is using "Passport" software controls. What I have also found is that if the same unit uses "SARA" software control I should be able to see full screen using the S-video output. The only problem is I haven't had any luck talking to TW about using SARA software control.
Not to confuse matters further but I've come across a device that sells for arount $130 that converts the component video to S-video thereby eliminating the letterbox effect. The device is called "Apple TV Converter."
Right now I'm leaning to buying the converter mentioned above as that seems to be the best way (for me) to solve my problem.
I just did some further checking using the Philips tuner to watch some HD shows directly from cable. My Orlando PBS was showing a "Secrets Of The Dead" episode. I couldn't get rid of the letterbox effect using the Philips tuner no matter how I set the screen mode using my Sony control, but could watch full screen using the Sony TV tuner.
However, the HD channels of all the network broadcasts I checked (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, etc.) came through in full screen just fine using either tuner. And the very next HD program on the same Orlando PBS channel came through in full screen just fine using the Philips tuner when the Sony screen control was set to full.
So your problem must have something to do with your other boxes. I do have other boxes hooked to my TV, including an OppoDVD player that occupies the only HDMI port available on the Sony TV. I run the RF signal from my cable company into the Philips first, then out and through two other recorders before it gets to the RF in port on the TV.
