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M
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I was watching Doom from the PPV channel - it was SD not HD. I have a widescreen Panasonic plasma HDTV. I don't understand why letterbox doesn't fill the full screen of this tv. I tried full zoom as well as the other aspects but I ended up leaving it at the 4:3 as I didn't like the results of the other aspects, which also didn't fill the full screen as I might have thought.

Can someone explain why this is so? I thought that was the purpose of a widescreen tv to see the letterbox better - to fill the full 16:9

Can you explain when the screen would be filled in and when it won't? It seems that the HD items I view are filling the full screen, but how about situations on SD

thanks
10 Replies · 2992 views
J
There is no set aspect ratio for films Most but not all HD is 16:9, but there are some IMAX HD movies filmed in 4:3, not all DVD are will fill your whole screen either. If your DVD movie has an aspect ratio of 2.35 there will be bars at the top & bottom

When Gary posted above he inadvertently used a semicolon( : ) when he meant to use a decimal (.)

A 16x9 TV or 16:9 or 1.78:1 (16 divided by 9 = 1.77777) is close to 1.85(1.85:1) but if you had your plasma set to zero overscan you would also see very small black bars on all your DVDs but since 1.78 is close to 1.85 the bars are not shown due to the over scan of your set. When you watch a movie that has an aspect ratio of 2.35 (2.35:1)the picture is much wider than it is tall so you get bars for the picture to display correctly

The reason you do not see bars at the movies is because they open the masking around the screen just enough so the amount of screen visible matches exactly the aspect of the film being shown, what ever it is

here is a link that explains it better than me
http://www.rexer.com/cine/oar.htm
http://www.widescreen.org/aspect_ratios.shtml

Jordan
abricko
I think I understand his question. He's (basically) asking why do (most) movies which appear to be letterboxed show up letterboxed (on all sides) on a 16:9 tv. If that's the question... the answer is that all the SD channels are brodcasting it (pre) letterboxed to your tv.

Example, take a properly formatted (enhanced for widescreen/anamorphic) DVD, play it on a 4:3 TV you'll see a letterboxed image (the DVD player does the letterboxing or shrinking to fit it to your tv resulting with black bars on top or bottom, that's why there are options in most DVD players asking you how it should attempt to display anamorphic content on a 4:3 TV either: letterbox or Pan and Scan) now if you were to take that already letterboxed output and broadcast it, on the other end you'll get a picture which looks exactly like that (what dish is showing).

Now what I don't understand is why do (non-HD) E* receivers have an option for *TV Type* allowing you to choose 4:3 or 16:9 when it does nothing. In theory they could send us anamorphic (non pre-letterboxed) content to our receiver and then (if that *TV Type* setting worked like a DVD player's works) output either a letterboxed or pass anamorphic to the TV.

The bottom line is when you see the black bars on a SD channel (or on a pre-letterboxed DVD) your only option to remove the bars and better fill your screen on a 16:9 TV is to use a zoom method, which as you've stated causes the (already low PQ, thanks to Dish) to look very soft. Lets also hope for more HD channels (even if they to be HD-Lite) because at least they are framed properly and produce a better framed image on 16:9 TVs.

Update: here's a link to a kind of lame slideshow, but it'll explain it better (visually which helps): What is Anamorphic Widescreen?
M
Abricko,
I think you got it. What you stated makes sense. It was sent letterboxed on an SD channel. On purpose, I picked letterboxed version. An correct, I didn't like the results of zooming.

The other answers helped as well as it seems that if I had rented this particular movie on DVD I would have still had bars on the top and bottom.

I had also made a generalized assumption that the 16:9 design of the TVs was for the reason to match the movie/letterbox format.

If I understood the answers then many times the movie will almost totallly fill the screen but other times movies are created in a different ratio that causes more bar width at the top and bottom.

Thanks.
B
Burn-in concern?

I ended up with an LCD vs. plasma so I didn't keep on top of another consideration. With the OP's situation, is he also perhaps concerned about burn-in on a plasma screen if the gray bars are there too much of the time? Has plasma gotten over this hurdle yet?
Tom Bombadil
New plasmas are more burn-in resistant, but the potential for burn-in is still present. The gray bars are a way to fight burn-in, black bars are your worst enemy. That and constant images like game readouts, channel logos, and news tickers.

If he were to watch a lot of programming where the letterboxed widescreen was within the 4:3 SD "box", so that there were black bars on all four sides, then yes, he could see burn-in effects on the portion of the screen where the small letterboxed image is displayed.
G
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Computers and Gadgets
I have a DX100 American Electrola Radio, AM FM SW. It is a receiver only, which quit working many years ago. Several years ago the seller had stated that capacitors would need replaced because they go bad.

In this particular xxx://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zUbXgNT8Oo they mentioned the backup battery being the problem.

Several years back when asking about having the capacitors replaced one former repairman said send it back to the factory, well there is not any. Another response several years ago from a person who repaired circuit boards for industry said they could repair it if they had a schematic, again I do not have.

This radio was built in Pittsburgh, PA out of as many American parts as they could find. Your thoughts on getting the radio to work?
24 Replies · 8253 views
D
I can e-mail you pdf copies of the the manuals and schematics. The tuning not working is probably the tuning encoder. I recently found one that fits my DXC-100 from Mouser Electronic Supply. I'll be glad to include the encoder part number used to repair my radio. My radio doesn't have the battery so may be a bit different than mine.
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G
I can e-mail you pdf copies of the the manuals and schematics. The tuning not working is probably the tuning encoder. I recently found one that fits my DXC-100 from Mouser Electronic Supply. I'll be glad to include the encoder part number used to repair my radio. My radio doesn't have the battery so may be a bit different than mine.

Deheza,

Thanks for your information and offer. My Radio is actually a DXC 100 as well, was a typo in the title. Am puzzled by yours not having the battery, since they only made two runs. While the schematics would be great, I believe by the amount of views it would be better to post all the information here.

I see where numerous people have posted pdf files, just not sure how they do it.

Sorry about the long response time, just was not sure how to handle it.

Thanks,

Respectively,

Gray Hair
. Raine
If you change that diode, make sure you know what type it is, a regular rectifier, zener, whatever, don't just throw any old diode in. Try to read the number on it and look it up. Do you have a multimeter? A lot of the things in there can be easily checked with a meter.

Trying to run it off a clean 12 V source like a battery would be a good idea, like someone else suggested. In a couple of your pictures there's a 9v regulator [7809CT], and I think I saw a 5 V regulator [7805]. The 5v probably supplies the display and the 9v the radio circuitry. If you have a meter that would be a first place to check, check the three pins on each for a 12v input, a gnd, a 5v output on the 5v and a 9v output on the 9v. Bad solder connections is another good possibility.

That radio looks to be in nice shape inside. It doesn't look like anyone's worked it over, looks nice.

The back-up battery is probably just for a memory function, when you replace it make sure you use the same type, cadmium, lithium-ion, whatever it is, it should say on it what type it is and the voltage, or have a part# that can be looked up.
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O
I have just started working on one of these and could really use the schematics and a copy of the manual - can anybody send them to me or attach a link? I did construct a manual from "azenithnut" , but his zip file is missing pages 16,17. My radio display only briefly lights up when powered on. the tuner and audio section appears to work fine. I have already replaced the back-up battery. I have the second generation radio. TIA
Revenerd
Another necropost here. I picked one of these up today. Does anyone out there have this manual (I'd take schematics too). I too found azenithnut's post with the missing pages 16 and 17.
(((Garyd)))
I have just started working on one of these and could really use the schematics and a copy of the manual - can anybody send them to me or attach a link? I did construct a manual from "azenithnut" , but his zip file is missing pages 16,17. My radio display only briefly lights up when powered on. the tuner and audio section appears to work fine. I have already replaced the back-up battery. I have the second generation radio. TIA
Can you send the serial-number label and photos of the tuner board, that should help distinguish its circuit revision; collector records say serials marked OB were the second production run. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to find bad caps if it works for A FEW SECONDS ITS A BAD CAP, THAN ONLY HEAT HALF OF THE RADIO
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68784 Replies · 2688290 views
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harshness
They Call the Wind Maria - Vaughn Monroe
sdfntx
Maria Magenta - Donovan
long_time_Dish
My Maria - Brooks & Dunn
RaiderPower
My Maria - B.W. Stevenson
long_time_Dish
Don't Lose My Number - Phil Collins
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 28 views
G
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
After a strange reboot last night in the middle of viewing, this morning several more reboots and about a half an hour download.
3 Replies · 242 views
Almighty1
Just did the update check manually about an hour ago with Hopper 3 on H713 and Hopper Plus on P15403.
Noticed something new when I clicked on the Update Software, it presented a pop-up as follows:
"Update software 1573
Update later Update now Cancel" with those three buttons which did not exist before.

After updating the H715 - I guess there must be major bugs as both H709 and H714 were skipped.

So here are the issue(s):

Issue #1
It did fix the problem with H713 which was:
"One of the problems I am seeing is that the Available Joey Software section no longer is showing the Android TV versions even after a manual software reset twice and the nightly reboot. Until it does, nether Technician Android TV download and Hopper Plus is able to check, download and update the Android TV software."

This was a major problem with H703.

H710 removed that dependency so H711 and H712 were working without that dependency but H713 brought it back which is fixed in H715 as no P versions or Android TV versions are shown in the Available Joey Software on the main Diagnostics screen.
However, with that said, the TECHNICIAN SETTINGS, Download ATV (Android TV) Files is not working correctly as the Download ATV Files shows:
"Download ATV Files 3000
Download in progress. This operation will be
complete when the files are downloaded

Joey 4 : P554- Failed
Joey 4 : P55403- Failed
Wireless Joey 4 : P654- Failed
Wireless Joey 4 : P65403- Complete
HopperPlus : P154- Complete
HopperPlus : P15403- Failed

OK"
From what I can tell, each of them goes through the Downloading followed by the Processing stages first before it goes into the Failed or Complete stage. It seemed to be going in a loop earlier as it will start downloading from the first item being the Joey 4 each time before it eventually stopped. This is the first time ever since 2023 that I had ever seen it Failed.

With that said, the dependency appears to still be required for the Hopper Plus to check, download and update the Android TV software as it says Failed, No Target when going to "Device Preferences", About, "Software Update"

Issue #2
Still cannot cast to Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus(Software P15317) with the Hopper Plus "Google Chromecast Built-In" feature" as it shows up as a casting device when the Hopper Plus is online and disappears when the Hopper 3 and Hopper Plus does it's nightly reboots but times out when one tries to cast to it and always shows up as Not available in the Google Home app on Android phone. No one else anywhere on the internet had confirmed whether it is working for them or not. Per brittanygarden in DM on October 16, 2026:
"We've been working with Google on this. We have a fix on the Google side projected for Q4. I know we're in Q4 now, but I will try to get a narrowed down timeline for you."

brittanygarden and Rick Durham

jsmit86 and naptime - If you are able to use H715, does the issue mentioned below still exist?
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jsmit86
Just did the update check manually about an hour ago with Hopper 3 on H713 and Hopper Plus on P15403.
Noticed something new when I clicked on the Update Software, it presented a pop-up as follows:
"Update software 1573
Update later Update now Cancel" with those three buttons which did not exist before.

After updating the H715 - I guess there must be major bugs as both H709 and H714 were skipped.

So here are the issue(s):

Issue #1
It did fix the problem with H713 which was:
"One of the problems I am seeing is that the Available Joey Software section no longer is showing the Android TV versions even after a manual software reset twice and the nightly reboot. Until it does, nether Technician Android TV download and Hopper Plus is able to check, download and update the Android TV software."

This was a major problem with H703.

H710 removed that dependency so H711 and H712 were working without that dependency but H713 brought it back which is fixed in H715 as no P versions or Android TV versions are shown in the Available Joey Software on the main Diagnostics screen.
However, with that said, the TECHNICIAN SETTINGS, Download ATV (Android TV) Files is not working correctly as the Download ATV Files shows:
"Download ATV Files 3000
Download in progress. This operation will be
complete when the files are downloaded

Joey 4 : P554- Failed
Joey 4 : P55403- Failed
Wireless Joey 4 : P654- Failed
Wireless Joey 4 : P65403- Complete
HopperPlus : P154- Complete
HopperPlus : P15403- Failed

OK"
From what I can tell, each of them goes through the Downloading followed by the Processing stages first before it goes into the Failed or Complete stage. It seemed to be going in a loop earlier as it will start downloading from the first item being the Joey 4 each time before it eventually stopped. This is the first time ever since 2023 that I had ever seen it Failed.

With that said, the dependency appears to still be required for the Hopper Plus to check, download and update the Android TV software as it says Failed, No Target when going to "Device Preferences", About, "Software Update"

Issue #2
Still cannot cast to Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus(Software P15317) with the Hopper Plus "Google Chromecast Built-In" feature" as it shows up as a casting device when the Hopper Plus is online and disappears when the Hopper 3 and Hopper Plus does it's nightly reboots but times out when one tries to cast to it and always shows up as Not available in the Google Home app on Android phone. No one else anywhere on the internet had confirmed whether it is working for them or not. Per brittanygarden in DM on October 16, 2026:
"We've been working with Google on this. We have a fix on the Google side projected for Q4. I know we're in Q4 now, but I will try to get a narrowed down timeline for you."

brittanygarden and Rick Durham

jsmit86 and naptime - If you are able to use H715, does the issue mentioned below still exist?
I have not been updated to 715 yet. I am on a QE "Beta" or Test version that did fix the audio issue. The last communication I had with the team mentioned that the full release of that fix was likely in December.
It would be nice to know if 715 does solve that issue of no audio when Dolby is ON, during 4K HDR events.
Almighty1
I have not been updated to 715 yet. I am on a QE "Beta" or Test version that did fix the audio issue. The last communication I had with the team mentioned that the full release of that fix was likely in December.
It would be nice to know if 715 does solve that issue of no audio when Dolby is ON, during 4K HDR events.
Interesting, is QE "Beta" or Test version different than the H708 you had mentioned that they rolled you back to or is that a newer version after that?
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Ramy
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
190 Replies · 3616 views
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Ronnie-
The game time was just a product of so many top 25 matchups. I think they said it was the most in one day since the 1930s.

Not everyone can play at night and get a tv slot.

Of course Lane is gonna complain. It's what he does.


Roll tide.
Jimbo
The game time was just a product of so many top 25 matchups. I think they said it was the most in one day since the 1930s.

Not everyone can play at night and get a tv slot.

Of course Lane is gonna complain. It's what he does.


Roll tide.
With Streaming, they should all be able to be on at night, no issue with TV slots :(

(Everybody can be on Peacock ... :argue:mad:) :tombstone
Ronnie-
With Streaming, they should all be able to be on at night, no issue with TV slots :(

(Everybody can be on Peacock ... :argue:mad:) :tombstone
Could. Yes.

But you know as well as I that they are not going A: put all of their prime matchups on at the same time. And B: take their main games off of the main channels.


You had bama vs lsu, and Georgia vs Ole Miss to choose from.

Considering Georgia had beaten Bama and Ole Miss had beaten LSU, I can see that why they chose that game for the night matchup (without the benefit of hindsight as to how the game's Saturday would play out).

You also had Tennessee vs Kentucky to fit in the mix.


Someone had to be at 2:30. Which imo is honestly my preferred slot for bama games no matter who they are playing or where.


None of them was going to be a streaming only game, and none where going on an "alternate" channel.
Jimbo
Could. Yes.

But you know as well as I that they are not going A: put all of their prime matchups on at the same time. And B: take their main games off of the main channels.


You had bama vs lsu, and Georgia vs Ole Miss to choose from.

Considering Georgia had beaten Bama and Ole Miss had beaten LSU, I can see that why they chose that game for the night matchup (without the benefit of hindsight as to how the game's Saturday would play out).

You also had Tennessee vs Kentucky to fit in the mix.


Someone had to be at 2:30. Which imo is honestly my preferred slot for bama games no matter who they are playing or where.


None of them was going to be a streaming only game, and none where going on an "alternate" channel.
Of course ... but they Could.

Did you realize how early that Utah vs BYU game was Saturday ... I believe it was 12 Noon EST, they are in Mountain time zone, which means they started thier game a 10 AM.
Ronnie-
Of course ... but they Could.
Yes. I even said so. But for reasons I gave, they won't. Wouldn't make sense for them too and they would lose money. A lot of these people that watch one of these games, watch more than one.

They want those eyeballs on as many games as possible. It just makes financial sense.

Did you realize how early that Utah vs BYU game was Saturday ... I believe it was 12 Noon EST, they are in Mountain time zone, which means they started thier game a 10 AM.
It was early. Sure.
dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
We have a Breakfast and Dinner thread so... :)
Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...
5453 Replies · 336974 views
TRG
TRG
Tuna salad sandwich on toasted honey whole wheat bread with a handful of kettle chips. Water.
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TRG
TRG
Breakfast for lunch. Crispy corned beef hash, home fries, two over easy eggs and sourdough toast.

1653.webp
TRG
TRG
Grabbed a burrito on the run. Beef, pinto beans, green chile and cheese. Stewart's cream soda.

burr.webp
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dfergie
Beef, bean green chile, cheese homemade burritos here... Water
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dfergie
Juicy Lucy jalapeño burger… Tea
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dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI
10 Replies · 268 views
T
Often people who have organic vision or hearing activated as adults after never having had it cannot practically utilize it because their brains never developed the massive neural network needed to make sense of any of it.

Well, he sees in color, just differently. Can't he just enjoy that? My granny had anachromatic color blindness, meaning pretty much like a b&w tv
jayn_j
My son is rg colorblind, but we found there are degrees. If something is vivid red or green, he can see a hint of color. I bought him a pair of the glasses when they first came out. He said they did improve things slightly, but not to the extent they are being touted. I think they are sitting in a drawer somewhere.
dishstaller
My son is rg colorblind, but we found there are degrees. If something is vivid red or green, he can see a hint of color. I bought him a pair of the glasses when they first came out. He said they did improve things slightly, but not to the extent they are being touted. I think they are sitting in a drawer somewhere.
Are the glasses one size fits all or do they make different models for different degrees of colorblindness.
navychop
Dr Pol did not like or use his
T
Are the glasses one size fits all or do they make different models for different degrees of colorblindness.
It looked like there were at least three iterations to try to match up to the given individual deficit, and a test to take to determine which would best help. But at best they seem a marginal measure and not practical.
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