Question about watching older tv shows on an HDTV? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LUNCH · 02-02-2011, 01:56 PM

One of our regular tv sets broke and I have to get an HDTV.It seems all they sell now are high definition televisions,you can't get a regular tv set even if you wanted to. Anyhow do the older classic tv shows look good on the new tv sets?Or do you have to view them with the sides of the screen blocked out etc.Any information would be helpful.I tell ya if I could still buy a regular tv set--I would.I'm not impressed by High Definition or all this new stuff that seems to just complicate things.

JamesG · 02-02-2011, 02:06 PM

You have to understand that on an HD-TV that not everything on the screen will be in high-definition. It means that your tv will have the capability to see things in HD.

You will be able to watch HD channels and Blu-ray movies with your new HD.

When you watch things that are non-HD, it will be like you are watching them on a "regular screen". Nothing will be changed.

clj2 · 02-02-2011, 02:06 PM

I'm not the biggest expert (I'm still waiting for one of ours to croak to finally get an HDTV), but I think the HDTV's improve the quality of anything in standard definition over a regular set. I think there is a "fit to screen" option that upconverts/stretches the picture to fit the screen, or you can watch it in the regular aspect ratio with the black bars on the side. There should be an option on the set. Just my two cents

Edit, JamesG is correct, it does not put everything in HD, just shows what is actually IN HD. If you want cable in HD, you have to pay extra to get that programming from your cable provider. Over the air/local channels in HD are free.

LUNCH · 02-02-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

When you watch things that are non-HD, it will be like you are watching them on a "regular screen". Nothing will be changed.

But as clj2 mentioned there would be black bars on the sides,so older shows would not "fill up" the entire tv screen like they do on the regular tv sets.So in a way it's not like your watching it on a regular screen.And I certainly don't want to adjust or stretch the picture,because that would distort it.Plus I'm not interested in watching the older classic tv shows in high definition.

ZeldaGilroy · 02-02-2011, 04:09 PM

I love my new HDTV, and I watch a lot of older shows on it as well. If it is a DVD of a classic show, it will stretch to fit the screen. If it is on TV, it depends on the channel, but you can stretch it to fit if you want. I think all of my favorite shows, classic or new, black and white or color...all of them look 100% better on my new TV than on my old one. Granted they are not all in HD, but the picture quailty is much, much better. I think you'll be surprised once you get it set up.

clj2 · 02-02-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

But as clj2 mentioned there would be black bars on the sides,so older shows would not "fill up" the entire tv screen like they do on the regular tv sets.So in a way it's not like your watching it on a regular screen.And I certainly don't want to adjust or stretch the picture,because that would distort it.Plus I'm not interested in watching the older classic tv shows in high definition.

Fit to screen is not that bad. It's a little different, but I've watched shows on digital cable (not in HD) on a HDTV and it didn't bother me.

I agree with the above poster. It will be much better.

LUNCH · 02-02-2011, 04:36 PM

That's good to know ZeldaGilroy.And by the way thanks everyone so far for the helpful information.

---I still think the regular tv sets should still be made available though,because not everyone wants the more complicated HDTVs.

JamesG · 02-02-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

But as clj2 mentioned there would be black bars on the sides,so older shows would not "fill up" the entire tv screen like they do on the regular tv sets.So in a way it's not like your watching it on a regular screen.And I certainly don't want to adjust or stretch the picture,because that would distort it.Plus I'm not interested in watching the older classic tv shows in high definition.

I never really had that kind trouble with it. Yeah, as others have said, it depends on the channel on where you may get the "black lines" around the screen.

The DVDs should have no problem at all.

JamesG · 02-02-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

That's good to know ZeldaGilroy.And by the way thanks everyone so far for the helpful information.

---I still think the regular tv sets should still be made available though,because not everyone wants the more complicated HDTVs.

Sorry to say, but non-HD-TV's "regular tv's" are gone. Dead.

If you really want one you may have to buy them used.. like on Ebay or Craigslist.

btw, I don't really find HD-TVs to be complicated. I also don't get why people don't want them; they're great.

Zoneboy · 02-02-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

I tell ya if I could still buy a regular tv set--I would.

Try Goodwill or any area thrift store. People that are switching to HDTV are donating their tube sets and you can probably get a great deal on a used one. I got two very nice 27" Toshiba TV/DVD combo units with remotes for only $40 each about a year ago and both still work great.

LUNCH · 02-09-2011, 03:43 PM

Well,I got a new flatscreen HDTV,and all I can say is HDTV is over-rated at best.In fact the picture quality on a good regular tv is actually better in many ways for most programs.For example you can view a regular tv at any angle without the picture looking less clear.Plus if you watch something on an HDTV that was not filmed in high definition, chances are the picture will look odd in various ways, I can go on and on.--Not to mention, regular tvs last a much longer time and are far more durable.---I'm actually giving the HDTV back. I think one of the main reasons HDTVs have become so dominant is because they have become very cheap to make, break down real quickly,so every couple of years people will have to buy a new tv.

AKA · 02-09-2011, 03:58 PM

Lunch, are you sure you're watching HD content? How do you have the screen set up to view SD content?

I'm a self-proclaimed HD snob, and am also a proponent of watching things in their original aspect ratio. When I watch older (4x3) shows on my set, I watch them with the "black bars" on the sides of the screen. It's not any different to me than watching widescreen programming on a 4x3 TV with the "black bars" on the top and bottom. Most of the 4x3 stuff I watch, though, is from DVDs, while I stick mainly the HD-side of my cable dial.

I personally deplore the practice of "stretching." With "stretchovision," as it's called amongst us nerds, you get to watch disporportionately short, fat people who drive cars with oval wheels.

LUNCH · 02-09-2011, 04:11 PM

AKA,I tried watching a few HD channels(plus channels like Turner Classic Movies) in the 16 by 9 format,and the picture is wider than it's supposed to be and does not look right(they were not the original aspect ratio etc. )Maybe I don't have the proper connections(cables etc.) needed.I just basically connected the tv through the DVR player. ---As far as the older shows I was viewing them like you do 4 by 3,and they looked ok,not better than a regular tv though.I don't mind the black bars on the sides.

AKA · 02-09-2011, 05:46 PM

Yeah, the SD content is honestly not really going to look any better on an HDTV than it does on an older TV, unless it's been remastered in high definition (Seinfeld on TBS-HD, Cheers on HDNet, The Twilight Zone on Blu-ray, TJ Hooker and Charlie's Angels on Universal HD; etc.).

If the HD content is wider than it's supposed to be, it may be a problem with either the cables as you mentioned (I use HDMI, but components also work), or your TV is in the wrong viewing mode. For example, my Sharp Aquos has a "sharp stretch" mode. Not sure what practical use it has, but it allows you to stretch content that's already 16x9. I use a mode called "dot-by-dot," which ensures that every bit of the picture is shown on my screen with no overscan.

Unfortunately, these terms (dot-by-dot, sharp stretch) aren't universal between different TV brands, so your mileage may vary. I'd suggest checking out avsforum.com or hometheaterforum.com to find optimal settings for your TV. Those guys know what they're doing.

LUNCH · 02-09-2011, 07:05 PM

Thankyou for the helpful advice AKA,it's much appreciated.--Maybe I'll wait a few days before I give the tv set back.Why they also don't have HDTVs that have the same type of screen (ie:4 by 3)as regular tvs is beyond me.I'd be fine with that.--Anyhow it is unfortunate with this new technology it really complicates things for many people.

02-02-2011, 01:56 PM	#1
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Question about watching older tv shows on an HDTV? One of our regular tv sets broke and I have to get an HDTV.It seems all they sell now are high definition televisions,you can't get a regular tv set even if you wanted to. Anyhow do the older classic tv shows look good on the new tv sets?Or do you have to view them with the sides of the screen blocked out etc.Any information would be helpful.I tell ya if I could still buy a regular tv set--I would.I'm not impressed by High Definition or all this new stuff that seems to just complicate things.

02-02-2011, 02:06 PM	#3
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	I'm not the biggest expert (I'm still waiting for one of ours to croak to finally get an HDTV), but I think the HDTV's improve the quality of anything in standard definition over a regular set. I think there is a "fit to screen" option that upconverts/stretches the picture to fit the screen, or you can watch it in the regular aspect ratio with the black bars on the side. There should be an option on the set. Just my two cents Edit, JamesG is correct, it does not put everything in HD, just shows what is actually IN HD. If you want cable in HD, you have to pay extra to get that programming from your cable provider. Over the air/local channels in HD are free.
	__________________ -Chris

02-02-2011, 04:09 PM	#5
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	I love my new HDTV, and I watch a lot of older shows on it as well. If it is a DVD of a classic show, it will stretch to fit the screen. If it is on TV, it depends on the channel, but you can stretch it to fit if you want. I think all of my favorite shows, classic or new, black and white or color...all of them look 100% better on my new TV than on my old one. Granted they are not all in HD, but the picture quailty is much, much better. I think you'll be surprised once you get it set up.
	__________________ *Formerly FactsFan* "I always carry a spare wedding ring. A single girl never knows when lightning may strike." ~Zelda Gilroy

02-09-2011, 04:11 PM	#13
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	AKA,I tried watching a few HD channels(plus channels like Turner Classic Movies) in the 16 by 9 format,and the picture is wider than it's supposed to be and does not look right(they were not the original aspect ratio etc. )Maybe I don't have the proper connections(cables etc.) needed.I just basically connected the tv through the DVR player. ---As far as the older shows I was viewing them like you do 4 by 3,and they looked ok,not better than a regular tv though.I don't mind the black bars on the sides.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 02-09-2011 at 04:29 PM.

02-02-2011, 02:06 PM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	You have to understand that on an HD-TV that not everything on the screen will be in high-definition. It means that your tv will have the capability to see things in HD. You will be able to watch HD channels and Blu-ray movies with your new HD. When you watch things that are non-HD, it will be like you are watching them on a "regular screen". Nothing will be changed.

02-02-2011, 04:36 PM	#7
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	That's good to know ZeldaGilroy.And by the way thanks everyone so far for the helpful information. ---I still think the regular tv sets should still be made available though,because not everyone wants the more complicated HDTVs.

02-09-2011, 03:43 PM	#11
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Well,I got a new flatscreen HDTV,and all I can say is HDTV is over-rated at best.In fact the picture quality on a good regular tv is actually better in many ways for most programs.For example you can view a regular tv at any angle without the picture looking less clear.Plus if you watch something on an HDTV that was not filmed in high definition, chances are the picture will look odd in various ways, I can go on and on.--Not to mention, regular tvs last a much longer time and are far more durable.---I'm actually giving the HDTV back. I think one of the main reasons HDTVs have become so dominant is because they have become very cheap to make, break down real quickly,so every couple of years people will have to buy a new tv.

02-09-2011, 03:58 PM	#12
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Lunch, are you sure you're watching HD content? How do you have the screen set up to view SD content? I'm a self-proclaimed HD snob, and am also a proponent of watching things in their original aspect ratio. When I watch older (4x3) shows on my set, I watch them with the "black bars" on the sides of the screen. It's not any different to me than watching widescreen programming on a 4x3 TV with the "black bars" on the top and bottom. Most of the 4x3 stuff I watch, though, is from DVDs, while I stick mainly the HD-side of my cable dial. I personally deplore the practice of "stretching." With "stretchovision," as it's called amongst us nerds, you get to watch disporportionately short, fat people who drive cars with oval wheels.

02-09-2011, 05:46 PM	#14
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Yeah, the SD content is honestly not really going to look any better on an HDTV than it does on an older TV, unless it's been remastered in high definition (Seinfeld on TBS-HD, Cheers on HDNet, The Twilight Zone on Blu-ray, TJ Hooker and Charlie's Angels on Universal HD; etc.). If the HD content is wider than it's supposed to be, it may be a problem with either the cables as you mentioned (I use HDMI, but components also work), or your TV is in the wrong viewing mode. For example, my Sharp Aquos has a "sharp stretch" mode. Not sure what practical use it has, but it allows you to stretch content that's already 16x9. I use a mode called "dot-by-dot," which ensures that every bit of the picture is shown on my screen with no overscan. Unfortunately, these terms (dot-by-dot, sharp stretch) aren't universal between different TV brands, so your mileage may vary. I'd suggest checking out avsforum.com or hometheaterforum.com to find optimal settings for your TV. Those guys know what they're doing.

02-09-2011, 07:05 PM	#15
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Thankyou for the helpful advice AKA,it's much appreciated.--Maybe I'll wait a few days before I give the tv set back.Why they also don't have HDTVs that have the same type of screen (ie:4 by 3)as regular tvs is beyond me.I'd be fine with that.--Anyhow it is unfortunate with this new technology it really complicates things for many people.