Why is ESPN now letter-boxed all the time?!

[sjvirchow]

I liked it when ESPN, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS were in a 4:3 format. BUT, recently they've been in a 16:9 format, squished to a 4:3 format on my TV-2. Why on earth would they do this?

 

[bigwillieb]

I believe seeing in a thread a week ago or so, they where talking about how ESPN was getting rid of the SD feeds and just having HD feeds. So, I am guessing that is why, it is a HD Feed that is down converted to SD for non HD channels. So, it will keep the HD format. That is just a thought.

 

[handiman876]

Fox Sports channels now do the same thing. It's a double insult by Dish when you can only watch a letterboxed SD broadcast of Cardinals vs Cubs on FSMW while the HD broadcast on TBS is blocked.

 

[JosephB]

Personally, I'm glad. There may be some pain in the interim while DISH or other providers only have the SD versions of certain channels, but the sooner we get to a world of one aspect ratio, the better.

 

[SaltiDawg]

... It's a double insult by Dish when you can only watch a letterboxed SD broadcast of Cardinals vs Cubs on FSMW while the HD broadcast on TBS is blocked.

Exactly what did Dish do? lol

ESPN changes its feed and MLB blocks out the TBS broadcast.

 

[AntiMoz]

Time Warner in WNY does the same thing....not exclusive to Dish and has been for several weeks now. Id rather have the extra view.

 

[sjvirchow]

It also blows that on most SD tube TV's, you can't zoom the picture, unless you like messing in cryptic hard to understand one wrong move and you've got yourself a paperweight service menu's.

 

[dangue]

It also blows that on most SD tube TV's, you can't zoom the picture, unless you like messing in cryptic hard to understand one wrong move and you've got yourself a paperweight service menu's.

Use the aspect ratio ("format") * button on your Dish remote to zoom in and you're all set. No need to mess with tv menu settings.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[eurosport]

They could take the HD feed and crop off both SIDES leaving the top and bottom alone and have the exact same SD picture as always. Simple.

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[DodgerKing]

Exactly what did Dish do? lol

ESPN changes its feed and MLB blocks out the TBS broadcast.

Because Dish is not providing the HD broadcast option for him on FSMW

 

[charper1]

LOL; who still owns 4:3 aspect ratio TV's and then complains about the displayed image ??? Upgrade time is long overdue.

 

[DodgerKing]

LOL; who still owns 4:3 aspect ratio TV's and then complains about the displayed image ??? Upgrade time is long overdue.

I do in one of my rooms. I have an HD receiver connected to it mainly so I can watch the HD only channels that are not available on an SD receiver. I have it letter boxed so all of the programming is in its proper aspect ratio. The only issue is when you get a pillar boxed program on the HD channel, then you end up getting a very small picture framed image in the middle of the screen. I know to expect that because I am choosing to use a 4:3 TV

 

[sjvirchow]

Use the aspect ratio ("format") * button on your Dish remote to zoom in and you're all set. No need to mess with tv menu settings.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

That option doesn't apply on TV-2 on my 722.

 

[charper1]

I do in one of my rooms. I have an HD receiver connected to it mainly so I can watch the HD only channels that are not available on an SD receiver. I have it letter boxed so all of the programming is in its proper aspect ratio. The only issue is when you get a pillar boxed program on the HD channel, then you end up getting a very small picture framed image in the middle of the screen. I know to expect that because I am choosing to use a 4:3 TV

I was being facetious in regards to who still owns 4:3 but rather this "and then complains about the displayed image" ??

 

[eurosport]

Exactly what did Dish do? lol

ESPN changes its feed and MLB blocks out the TBS broadcast.

Exactly. Dish, like DirecTV, Comcast etc, have to abide by the ridiculous rules, set forth by the almighty program providers!

 

[handiman876]

Because Dish is not providing the HD broadcast option for him on FSMW

Thank you for the assist. Listen, I understand that every game, with Dish, can't be in HD. What I don't understand is why this particular series wasn't in HD. The Cardinals vs Cubs is a big-time rivalry and I would think gets high ratings. On a side note, the Cardinals and Cubs game was on FSMW in SD while being on WGN in HD at the same time yesterday. It confuses me as to what the difference is.

 

[whatchel1]

They could take the HD feed and crop off both SIDES leaving the top and bottom alone and have the exact same SD picture as always. Simple.

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I believe that that would not be allowed. The providers don't allow carriers alterations to the programming unless it is an add on to the contract. To do that they would then allow them to advertise other shows (that may be competing with them) on the system over top or around the sides of the shows. This is something that I'm not understanding as to why the banner at the start of tuning to Epix is allowed. Then there may be an agreement in place.

 

[dwarren2]

That option doesn't apply on TV-2 on my 722.

* toggles between Normal and Letterbox on TV2 output.

 

[Mr Tony]

Exactly. Dish, like DirecTV, Comcast etc, have to abide by the ridiculous rules, set forth by the almighty program providers!

but the post above had nothing to do with ESPN. The person was blacked out on TBS because it was on his local RSN...and Dish did what they do best and give him the game in glorious SD with no HD available to him

 

[sjvirchow]

* toggles between Normal and Letterbox on TV2 output.

Not for me it doesn't.