TV Display Formats

This is a widescreen TV (also known as a 16:9 TV). This shape reflects the new types of images available from HDTV and many DVDs. There are still many older style narrow screen images (called 4:3 aspect ratio) you will encounter. While there will never be a perfect solution for displaying a narrow image on a wide screen, Mitsubishi offers several display formats to choose from.

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

Note: Not all formats are available for PIP/POP. Side-by-Side and 3 POP are only available in Standard and Expand formats.

DVD Definitions:

Anamorphic (or Enhanced for Widescreen TV’s):

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

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

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

This information may or may not be listed on the DVD case. Some DVDs support both types of recordings.

Signal and Format Definitions:

480i Signals: Traditional analog interlaced signals from or through Ant-1 & 2, Inputs 1-3, Component 1–3, and HDMI.

480p Signals: Progressive-scan analog DVD signals on Component 1–3 and HDMI.

720p & 1080i Signals: High-definition analog signals received through Component 1–3 and HDMI. These signals are always 16:9 (widescreen), but may have side bars added by the broadcaster.

SD 4:3: Standard-definition narrow-screen format signals from digital channels and IEEE 1394 devices.

SD 16:9: Standard definition wide screen format signals from digital channels and IEEE 1394 devices.

HD: High definition wide screen format signals from digital channels and IEEE-1394 devices. These signals are always 16:9 (widescreen).

Standard: This is the full screen format. HDTV signals use this format. This format is useful to display Anamorphic DVDs that have 1.78:1 or 1.85:1 aspect ratios. Anamorphic DVDs that have a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will still display black bars at the top and bottom, but will show the entire image correctly. Narrow (4:3) images will be stretched evenly from side to side. Available for all signals.

Expand: This will enlarge a 4:3 picture to fill the screen, cropping off some of the image at the top and bottom. This is useful to reduce the letterbox top and bottom bars of non-anamorphic DVD. Available for analog 480i, 480p and digital SD 4:3 signals only.

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

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

Stretch Plus: Similar to stretch mode, however to minimize distortions on the side, the picture is expanded to crop off portions of the top and bottom. When no PIP or POP is displayed, you can press ADJUST up or down to vertically adjust the picture. Available for analog 480i and 480p and SD 4:3 signals only.

Narrow: This format will display narrow (4:3) images in their original shape, and add stationary black side bars to fill the screen. Available for 480i, 480p and digital 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 images that are converted to 16:9 signals for digital broadcast. Available for analog 1080i, 720p, digital SD 16:9 and digital HD signals.

80 Chapter 6. Special Features