Converter Boxes that can zoom SD channels.

DTVuser2009 · 03-27-2009, 09:03 AM

I watch 50% of my daily TV viewing on Public Access. that means the only channels i can watch without the annoying play-by-play DVS service are the Non-HD versions. but although my TVs are all older SD-only TVs, the SD channels (shows up as 4:3 on the On Screen Display of the Box) show up with a full-portrait border around the entire picture on any TV with a screen size of 19" or larger. that means that my 25" Console in my living room has a 13" square of a picture dead-center of the screen. that's annoying.

The worst part is my box, a LG-Owned Zenith brand, DTT 901-b, won't zoom such channels. it says 'Aspect Ratio Cannot Be Changed on this Channel.' which means i must live with the horrible small square on SD channels. the HD ones, they down-convert to SD but you can still make them zoom full-screen. (they show up on the OSD as 16:9)

That's where my question is. is there ANY box that can zoom the aspect ratio in regardless of the channels' mode of reception, SD or HD? and why is it that i cannot change the boxes' aspect ratio any way? what harm would it do? i tried to use the menu but it is locked in (greyed out) as 'Set by Program'.

staticMHZ · 03-27-2009, 10:03 AM

the mgnavox one can do it i think

Jay · 03-27-2009, 05:17 PM

You can do it with the Insignia NS-DXA1 Converter Box - DTV USA Forum (available @ Best Buy) too.

Jay · 03-27-2009, 05:25 PM

The RCA DTA 800B Converter Box - DTV USA Forum (available @ Wal-Mart) also has a zoom feature.

DTVuser2009 · 03-28-2009, 10:35 AM

Thanks Jay, i know the Zenith brand i have does zoom, but it has limits. does the Insignia zoom in anyways regardless? or does it complain about certain channels not being able to zoom? sorry i just want to know that it can zoom anything before i plunk down another $50 on a box that cannot zoom a 4:3 channel.

My experience with the RCA DTA800 that Wal-Mart sells is that it's a pathetic box lucky to pull in any thing, and doesn't last long. never got enough from it to even find out its zooming capability.

I pretty much assume that all boxes come with the feature, only in some boxes it's limited and i want to know for sure before buying another, that it can zoom in the picture to full-scale anyways. i don't know why the Zenith refuses to do any zooming on 4:3 channels while it works fine on 16:9 channels but i refuse to live with a postage stamp picture. i bought a 25" TV to use all 25" of it.

EDIT: Jay, that Insignia box is the exact same thing as my Zenith but with a different branding on it. it's a fine box, but it won't zoom some channels and has the error "Aspect Ratio cananot be changed on this channel" and only happens on 4:3 channels. i'm looking for a box that can zoom any kinda picture to full-screen. not half my lineup only.

DTVuser2009 · 03-29-2009, 08:30 AM

UPDATE: figured out a hack for the Zenith to force it to zoom anyways. if you go into Menu--->Options there's two different options related to aspect ratio, one that is limited on some channels and is greyed-out as 'Set By Program' and the other one above it for TV type. even if you only have a SD-type TV you can select 'Widescreen 16:9' and then zoom works regardless of the channel tuned. that means that even if the program tries to force a mode where the bars show and locks out the zoom on 4:3 broadcasts, you can force it to zoom anyways by faking the box into believing you have a widescreen, then the zoom feature works no matter what. now i can enjoy my KET in full-screen now!

Matt · 03-29-2009, 06:38 PM

One box that doesn't allow zooming is the Winegard. In fact, it plain sux.

DTVuser2009 · 03-30-2009, 11:24 AM

I'll add in some more, while it can get annoying, if you're viewing a 16:9 signal and it is 'letterboxed' as in bars on top/bottom only it will only zoom if you go back into menu and put the TV type back to 4:3. it may be repetitive but at least i can use all my 25"

Aaron62 · 03-30-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTVuser2009

I'll add in some more, while it can get annoying, if you're viewing a 16:9 signal and it is 'letterboxed' as in bars on top/bottom only it will only zoom if you go back into menu and put the TV type back to 4:3. it may be repetitive but at least i can use all my 25"

I'll never understand the whole aspect ratio thing and why we can't have a full picture even with a widescreen 16:9.