TV Signals and Picture Formats

Chapter 3. TV Operation

This is a widescreen TV, also known as a 16:9 TV. This shape reflects the new types of picture formats available from HDTV and many DVDs. There are still many older style narrow-screen picture formats (for example, 4:3 aspect ratio) you will encounter. While there is no perfect solution for displaying a squarish, narrower image on a wide screen, Mitsubishi offers several picture formats from which you can choose.

Note: “Picture format” refers to the aspect ratio or the relative size/shape of the picture, such as 16:9 or 4:3.

Press FORMAT on the TV remote control to cycle through the available picture formats. The last-used format for each device is used when you return to that device.

Note: In Split Screen mode, the FORMAT key changes the picture size on both sides of the screen, but the aspect ratio (relative height and width) of both pictures remains the same.

DVD Definitions

Anamorphic (or Enhanced for WideScreen TV)

These DVDs are recorded in a special way to properly show widescreen pictures on 16:9 TV sets using the Standard format mode. This is the recommended viewing choice.

Non-Anamorphic (or 4:3, 1:33:1, Letter Box, or Full Screen)

These DVDs are recorded for use with traditionally shaped, squarish TVs. They may be full screen (4:3 or 1:33:1) which crops movies to fit the narrow TV, or letter box, which adds black top and bottom bars.

This information may be listed on the DVD case. Some DVDs support both types of recordings.

Signal Definitions

480i Signals: Traditional analog interlaced signals from or through ANT-1and ANT-2, INPUT 1, 2 and 3, COM- PONENT 1–2, and HDMI 1 and 2.

480p Signals: Progressive-scan DVD signals on COM- PONENT INPUT 1–2and HDMI 1 and 2.

720p & 1080i Signals: High-definition analog signals received through COMPONENT INPUT 1 and 2 and HDMI 1 and 2. These signals are always 16:9 (widescreen).

SD 4:3: Standard-definition narrow-screen format signals from digital channels.

SD 16:9: Standard-definition widescreen format signals from digital channels.

HD: High-definition wide-screen format signals from digital channels. These signals are always 16:9 (widescreen).

TV Picture Format Definitions

Standard: This is the full-screen format. HDTV signals use this format. This format is useful for displaying Anamorphic DVDs that have 1.78:1 or 1.85:1 aspect ratios. Anamorphic DVDs that have a 2.35:1 aspect ratio are displayed with black bars at the top and bottom, but show the entire picture correctly. Narrow (4:3) pictures are stretched evenly from side to side. Available for all signals.

Expand: This enlarges the picture to fill the screen, crop- ping off some of the image at the top and bottom. This is useful for reducing the letter box top and bottom bars of non-anamorphic DVD images. Available for 480i, 480p, and digital SD 4:3 signals only.

Zoom: This enlarges the picture, cropping off some of the image at each side and top and bottom. This is useful for removing or reducing the black top and bottom bars on anamorphic DVDs with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Available for 480i and 480p and SD 4:3 signals only.

Stretch: This format stretches a narrow (4:3) picture across the screen; there is less stretch in the center than at the sides, however. This allows the entire narrow image to be displayed across the screen with less distortion than is seen in the Standard format. Available for 480i and 480p and SD 4:3 signals only.

Stretch Plus: Similar to stretch mode, but to minimize distortions on the side, the picture is expanded to crop off portions of the top and bottom. Except when display-

ing menus, press to adjust the position of the picture vertically. Available for 480i and 480p and SD 4:3 signals only.

Narrow: This format displays narrow (4:3) pictures in their original shape, and adds stationary black side bars to fill the screen. Available for 480i, 480p and SD 4:3 signals only.

Wide Expand: Enlarges the picture, cropping some of the image on both sides. This Expand format is useful to remove or reduce black side bars added to narrow pic- tures that are converted to 16:9 signals for digital broad- cast. Available for 1080i, 720p, digital SD 16:9 and digital HD signals.

Note: All high-deﬁnition channels send widescreen (16:9) signals, but not all programming sent on these channels was created for this format. As a result, the broadcaster must convert such programming for broadcast, and may stretch the picture or add side bars to ﬁll the widescreen area.