Slacker, you still do not even understand the question. After going off about things inccorectly (such as that 4:3 HDTVs do not exist, and that there were bars on the screen) we have still arrived here with you not knowing what the original question was, and with no understand of the whole concept here.
Again, THERE ARE NO BARS IN THIS WHOLE SITUATION NOTHING IS SHOWING UP WITH BARS DO WE UNDERSTAND NOW?
Directv said that they were aware that people with 4:3 televisions would rather have a setting on any box to avoid the need to change from "standard" to expand on any 16:9 broadcast. I still think "slacker" (who sounds more and more like a 17 year old each and every post) does not understand this. Tell us some more about the non existant 4:3 HDTVs slacker, you dumbass. Maybe tell us about the ATSC telling people how to make TVs?? that was my favorite comment................
I called directv and they told me they were working on a solution to upgrade software to cure this. Maybe you would like to call them and ask little boy?
The box defaults to standard for all 16:9 broadcasts, which is great for my two mitsus 16:9, but compresses all 16:9 on the 4:3. I was told by "Matt" that they want to incorporate a initial setup with HD boxes where you can select your 16:9 viewing preferance to avoid having the image squeezed into a 4:3 tv. I am still unsure as to why "slacker" fails to understand this, I just think he lacks the mental capacity to figure out what i am even talking about, but that is a question for his doctor(s), not me.
The TV gives the option to go to letterbox or fill the screen, letterbox shows bars on the top and bottom for 4:3 programming. This is not a part of the question and letterbox is a stupid mode on a 4:3 anyways. The TV is set at 4:3 height so there are NO BARS on the screen, still not understand dipshit?
I got my answer from Directv that was more than pleasing, slacker continues to show little knowledge here so he can keep going on and on about how smart he is and talk about HDTVs that are "not made" in 4:3 and the ATSC that controls what kind of TVs are made, you truly are a total moron, so stay out of this thread, you have still not added anything.