Setting up Direct TV?
- Thread starter sportman3
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Are you trying to get rid of the bars or display them?
It seems you are trying to get rid of them. If so, I would go with 16:9 for TV, 4:3 for DirecTv. Turn the Native back ON and drop the stretch and enable as many resolutions as able to display. IMO that gives the best SD picture but makes no difference on HD. Any stretching on HD or uprezed transmissions to remove bars is taking away from picture quality.
With my TV, it works well with both set to 4:3. If I set TV to 16:9, I get a stretch on SD.
No stretch is set.
What I meant is that my TV will stretch the SD to fit the screen if I set it to 16:9. That's why I suggested you set yours for 4:3 if you wanted the bars for SD.
Maybe your set works totally different than mine. Both my HDTV's are Samsung 1080p LCD's and aspect is set for 16:9 with DirecTv STB set at 4:3.
What is your set?
I've browsed a few AV Forums and there doesn't seem to be any major No No's for these settings.
Just like posters at this site express a preference for or against NATIVE (ON), I would add IMO that the Pro's for it are a better picture and Con's are the slower channel changing times (BTW, the channel banner updates immediately but picture lags behind the banner...I don't click to surf either; I use the guide and info button). If using NATIVE (ON), you'll want to set TV resolution for all that your TV can display).
You won't need the FORMAT button if you enable NATIVE and set your aspect correctly. I find the multiple presses annoying and no longer need it with my settings.
That said, I'll post my settings and recommended settings and you can try them, use them, or hate 'em if you like; they're for your amusement or to enjoy, whichever applies. Doesn't matter; there's no test later and what really matters is what you prefer...
[PIE]
My settings
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black (Doesn't matter unless DirecTv aspect set for 16:9. If you have plasma, gray is recommended; therefore, aspect s/b 16:9)
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3 (my HDTV is set for 16:9 or Just Scan)
...I like Just Scan best but sometimes I get a raster looking line across the top in commercials and some letter boxes that are side by side or reduced in a graphical box like the guide. Some of the older STB's would allow the screen to be re-centered horizontally or vertically but not D* or E*)...
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (480i is not supported on my HDTV with HDMI connector)
[/PIE]
[PIE]
Your recommended settings
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black (Doesn't matter unless DirecTv aspect set for 16:9. If you have plasma, gray is recommended; therefore, aspect s/b 16:9)
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3 (set your HDTV to 4:3 to get bars on SD channels, but try it both ways)
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (480i may not be supported on your HDTV if using HDMI but try it anyway, make sure you acknowledge prompts when selecting these to set them properly)
Note: Some prefer to just set one of the resolution settings and turn Native (off).
[/PIE]
I would also suggest you search your TV model # in AV Forums to find good picture settings. The same applies to any suggestions you find: you can try them, use them, or hate 'em if you like; they're for your amusement or to enjoy, whichever applies. Doesn't matter; there's no test later and what really matters is what you prefer...
Just like posters at this site express a preference for or against NATIVE (ON), I would add IMO that the Pro's for it are a better picture and Con's are the slower channel changing times (BTW, the channel banner updates immediately but picture lags behind the banner...I don't click to surf either; I use the guide and info button). If using NATIVE (ON), you'll want to set TV resolution for all that your TV can display).
You won't need the FORMAT button if you enable NATIVE and set your aspect correctly. I find the multiple presses annoying and no longer need it with my settings.
That said, I'll post my settings and recommended settings and you can try them, use them, or hate 'em if you like; they're for your amusement or to enjoy, whichever applies. Doesn't matter; there's no test later and what really matters is what you prefer...
[PIE]
My settings
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black (Doesn't matter unless DirecTv aspect set for 16:9. If you have plasma, gray is recommended; therefore, aspect s/b 16:9)
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3 (my HDTV is set for 16:9 or Just Scan)
...I like Just Scan best but sometimes I get a raster looking line across the top in commercials and some letter boxes that are side by side or reduced in a graphical box like the guide. Some of the older STB's would allow the screen to be re-centered horizontally or vertically but not D* or E*)...
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (480i is not supported on my HDTV with HDMI connector)
[/PIE]
[PIE]
Your recommended settings
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black (Doesn't matter unless DirecTv aspect set for 16:9. If you have plasma, gray is recommended; therefore, aspect s/b 16:9)
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3 (set your HDTV to 4:3 to get bars on SD channels, but try it both ways)
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (480i may not be supported on your HDTV if using HDMI but try it anyway, make sure you acknowledge prompts when selecting these to set them properly)
Note: Some prefer to just set one of the resolution settings and turn Native (off).
[/PIE]
I would also suggest you search your TV model # in AV Forums to find good picture settings. The same applies to any suggestions you find: you can try them, use them, or hate 'em if you like; they're for your amusement or to enjoy, whichever applies. Doesn't matter; there's no test later and what really matters is what you prefer...
Last edited:
I have a LCD Tv
I have a LCD Tv recommend for Direct Tv ?
Your recommended settings
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black (Doesn't matter unless DirecTv aspect set for 16:9. If you have plasma, gray is recommended; therefore, aspect s/b 16:9)
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3 (set your HDTV to 4:3 to get bars on SD channels, but try it both ways)
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (480i may not be supported on your HDTV if using HDMI but try it anyway, make sure you acknowledge prompts when selecting these to set them properly)
Note: Some prefer to just set one of the resolution settings and turn Native (off).
I have a LCD Tv recommend for Direct Tv ?
Your recommended settings
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black (Doesn't matter unless DirecTv aspect set for 16:9. If you have plasma, gray is recommended; therefore, aspect s/b 16:9)
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3 (set your HDTV to 4:3 to get bars on SD channels, but try it both ways)
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p (480i may not be supported on your HDTV if using HDMI but try it anyway, make sure you acknowledge prompts when selecting these to set them properly)
Note: Some prefer to just set one of the resolution settings and turn Native (off).
That's what I was recommending that you set your DirecTv box settings to; the Video, TV Ratio, and TV Resolutions found in your menu...HDTV.
Disregard the plasma comments...
I suggested you try 4:3 aspect on your TV and DirecTv box to get the SD with the bars...
The rest is just suggestions to follow if using Native (ON)...If not, the bottom note would apply...
I posted these settings and suggestions for entertainment purposes only; use my settings or your suggested settings accordingly...use 'em, tweak 'em, hate 'em or be amused.
Enjoy your new HD setup and watch some TV!
Video:
Native: ON
Screen Format: Original format
Bar Color: Black
TV Ratio:
Standard 4:3
TV Resolutions:
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Your LCD TV s/b set to 4:3 aspect
Try these and reply with your results or comments
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