Technical Issues and Questions

[spocker]

If you're using an HDMI connection to your player, look in the TV menus for a "Just Scan", "Pixel-for-Pixel", "1:1" option. For some strange reason several TV manufacturers seem to think that we like our picture slightly underscanned.

[Feego]

I also have an issue with overscan. I own a 27" Panasonic LCD, and I have both a Panasonic DMP-BD30 and a Sherwood BDP-5004 connected through HDMI cables. I noticed one day while watching a 1.33:1 DVD on my Panasonic player that the side edges of the picture were cut off. However, when I put the same DVD in the Sherwood player, I could see the entire image. So, it appears that the overscan issue has to do with the Panasonic Blu-ray player, not with the TV. Does anyone know if there's a way this can be fixed?

[fdm]

I also have an issue with overscan. I own a 27" Panasonic LCD, and I have both a Panasonic DMP-BD30 and a Sherwood BDP-5004 connected through HDMI cables. I noticed one day while watching a 1.33:1 DVD on my Panasonic player that the side edges of the picture were cut off. However, when I put the same DVD in the Sherwood player, I could see the entire image. So, it appears that the overscan issue has to do with the Panasonic Blu-ray player, not with the TV. Does anyone know if there's a way this can be fixed?

Not that my experience is wide (had a Panasonic DVD player several years ago, and have a Panasonic BD(35) player now), but Panasonics that I've used have not had any adjustments for this. You're basically stuck with whatever it gives you.

[spocker]

Some TVs might have a 1:1 pixel setting for each HDMI channel, so either check them on the same HDMI port, or try to find the setting for it when on the channel in question.

[fdm]

Some TVs might have a 1:1 pixel setting for each HDMI channel, so either check them on the same HDMI port, or try to find the setting for it when on the channel in question.

If you're answering Feego's query, this isn't the same thing. The player is actually doing the overscan before it even gets fed to the TV, no way to correct for it on a Panasonic player.

If you're not, never mind.

[stagefright50]

I have a Panasonic 1080p and had a 720p, both plasmas, and the 720p model cropped the image through both a PS3 and Insignia Blu-Ray player. The setting to change the format to show Pixel-for-pixel would not even change. I was told to change the output resolution from whatever device was connected to match the television's resolution. Did that... nothing. I ended up returning that model and getting a Samsung and there is no cropping at all. Although now I'm reading the above posts and getting a little nervous about the Samsung.

[spocker]

Some TVs might have a 1:1 pixel setting for each HDMI channel, so either check them on the same HDMI port, or try to find the setting for it when on the channel in question.

If you're answering Feego's query, this isn't the same thing. The player is actually doing the overscan before it even gets fed to the TV, no way to correct for it on a Panasonic player.

If you're not, never mind.

I was, mostly to eliminate eventual TV problems. But after checking around on the web it seems like it's the upscaling to HD that the player does that is the culprit (as with most upscaling players).

[Feego]

Hmm. I guess I will just have to continue watching my 1.33:1 and non-anamorphic DVDs on my Sherwood. Luckily there's no overscanning on anamorphic widescreen DVDs. And this is one time where the Criterion windowboxing actually pays off, even for an HDTV.

[Norbie]

Hi MichaelB,

What film is it, and what's the original aspect ratio?
And what's your TV's model number? If it has a downloadable manual, I can have a quick rummage and suggest something

Of all the things to forget to mention.

Yes....anyway

The movie was yojimbo, Criterions Blu-ray, 2.35:1 AR.
TV Specs: LG 32inch LCD.
Model: LG32LC7D AB

This is a bit strange and i don't know how to put this in words, but here it goes. I'll use examples.
1. I was watching CC Amarcord, the rerelease version. The opening with the credits there is no overscan problem, it's only after the credits finish do i get the overscan problem.
2. Watching films in 4x3 i have the overscan problem, thank god for Criterions windowboxing! \:D/ Well...for me at least. And then...
3. Watching films in 1.66:1, give or take 0.02, i see the whole frame. ](*,) It's a bit like 1.85:1 with windowboxing :-k

Is there help for people like me? [-o<

[spocker]

As I typed earlier, make sure you have "Just Scan" enabled. Since you can move the picture and see the "missing" parts it's not the player that is the crook.
To enable "Just Scan":

MENU
go to PICTURE
The Aspect ratio choice should be set to "Just Scan", not 16:9.

Hopefully that would do the trick.

[Matt]

Is there help for people like me? [-o<

There is no known cure for metastatic hyperemoticonitis.

[Norbie]

My Continuing Saga,

MENU
go to PICTURE
The Aspect ratio choice should be set to "Just Scan", not 16:9.

I'm sorry spocker, thats a no-go.

The Aspect-Ratio choices I have are:

Auto/4:3/16:9/14:9(I have yet to find a use for it :-k)/Zoom/Cinema zoom.

With "Zoom" I get the option to move the frame up or down (hence the "Zoom" ](*,) )
With "Cinema zoom" i can only zoom in, so the frame gets bigger, when I really need it to go smaller.

BTW. Concerning picture options. On my tv i have the option of "Colour temperature." I can select "warm", "medium", "cool", or "user".
With your equivalent TV's, which one do you use?

I have been searching on the net for my overscan problem and I learned one thing (beside how babies are made). Apparently the prevelance of overscan problems on HDTV is much bigger than i thought.

Unfortunately, according to many forums, there may not be a solution to the problem. I might just have to live with it until i get a new tv. At least i'll know what to look for.

ps. Is there a thread that discusses 3D TVs?

[NABOB OF NOWHERE]

This is a belt and braces copy of a posting under Andrei Rublev thread so apologies for the doubling up -
A cry of help to people with the russian blu. I have received my (legit) copy but it won't play on my Momitsu/Limit multi-region clone even though the disc is coded for regions A B and C. The sellers have offered a replacement but also noted that there is a problem with Region C encoding on Momitsus. Obviously if the problem is a Momitsu one there's no point in replacing it but I'm wondering if there's anyone out there either with a Momitsu and this russian disc that has no problems or whether there's a trick to get it to play.

[HistoryProf]

My Panny Viera LCD also overscans Norbie. I first noticed it when watching a 1.66:1 film I realized there were barely slivers of black on the sides, when I should have had a good inch of it - thus missing the top and bottom edges of the film. after much fumbling with the menu I also have no options that allow me to fix the issue...it's just how the tvs are made, and I don't understand why. I think it has something to do with the fact that the tvs are actually 1.78, and not 1.85 as most Widescreen stuff, so they slightly overscan it to make 1.85 appear to be a perfect fit, and you lose that bit of information along the edges. Why a sliver of black along the top and bottom of 1.85 stuff would be a problem is beyond me, but it bugs the hell out of me. But like you, my searches suggest that this is a pandemic problem, and that far more TVs do it than not...it's practically the standard as far as I can tell, but most people are not aware of it, or simply don't care because it looks right to them.

[domino harvey]

So I know the Sherwood 5004 will play 1080i/50mhz Blu-rays, but does it up the signal to 60mhz or keep it at 50?

[Fiery Angel]

I've been playing my Blu-rays with no problems on the Sherwood 5004 for weeks; recently, the machine was having more trouble reading the discs (I'd have to re-insert them two or three times before they would play). Now, nothing plays: the disc is either never read or I get the following on the screen:

"Mismatch between disc and player region codes. See disc packaging for details."

All of my Blu-rays are region A (the "mismatch" just happened with Criterion's "Red Desert" and Kino's "Steamboat Bill Jr."), so I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

[domino harvey]

Try entering the Region A code 973501 with the disc drive empty and closed

[Fiery Angel]

Try entering the Region A code 973501 with the disc drive empty and closed

Tried that, and no luck.

EDIT--Tried it 4 more times and it finally took: watching "Red Desert" as we speak.

Are these Sherwoods usually so tempermental? I'm worried what will happen when I get region B Blus and want to change the codes back and forth.

[Fierias]

I have a Momitsu clone (Visionquest VQM-1000 BLU) and I misplaced the damn remote control a few weeks ago (don't ask). Does anyone have advice on a universal remote that will work with this model? I tried contacting Visionquest with no response, and I'm tired of waiting. Thanks in advance.

[swo17]

I'm looking into setting up a projector system for a home theater. My projector guy is telling me that an HDMI hookup from a Blu-ray player to a projector is unnecessary since the projector only displays video. He says component video cables will produce as good of an image for a lot less cost. Can anyone with experience with projectors comment on the truth of this last statement?

[Zot!]

I'm looking into setting up a projector system for a home theater. My projector guy is telling me that an HDMI hookup from a Blu-ray player to a projector is unnecessary since the projector only displays video. He says component video cables will produce as good of an image for a lot less cost. Can anyone with experience with projectors comment on the truth of this last statement?

Simply put, HDMI is digital, so you would be depending on your projector to do the D/A conversion. The component cables are analogue, so your blu-ray will do the conversion. I personally trust a $1000-$2000 projector more than my Momitsu, and you can do longer runs without degradation with an HDMI cable. So I would call bullshit on him, in theory. In reality, you might be hard pressed to see a difference between the two. What I really 100% disagree with him on, is that you should do this because of cost. If you are buying a reasonable projector, the HDMI cable is a minor expense, and my recommendation would be to buy both cables and see which you prefer. DO NOT, EVER buy cables at a Big Box store, they will rip you off. Everybody in the know uses http://www.monoprice.com, their quality and prices come very recommended.

[swo17]

Thank you. Yes, my first thought when he said this was "I bet I can get a 10-ft HDMI cable at monoprice for under $10."

[fdm]

Also note that your blu-ray player could possibly get a firmware update next year that will disable it from outputting HD (1080) video via component video; HDMI will be the only way to get 1080 should your player be effected.

And 10ft should be fine for HDMI, but when you get into much longer lengths, HDMI can be problematic (not sure offhand where that threshold lies, maybe 20 or 30 ft).

[domino harvey]

So I know the Sherwood 5004 will play 1080i/50mhz Blu-rays, but does it up the signal to 60mhz or keep it at 50?

Anyone?

[Napier]

It plays 60Hz