Appendix 5: About High-Definition; Screen Format & Resolution - DirecTV HD DVR Receivers User Manual

APPENDIX 5: ABOUT HIGH-DEFINITION

SCREEN FORMAT & RESOLUTION
In addition to resolution and interlacing, a television picture is also defined by its aspect ratio—referring to the shape of the screen
as defined by the ratio of the screen's width to its height.
For analog TV, the aspect ratio is 4 units wide by 3 units high (4:3). This is the familiar shape of conventional TVs—slightly wider
than they are tall. SDTV and EDTV pictures can be either 4:3 or 16:9. For HDTV broadcasts, the aspect ratio is 16:9—nearly twice
as wide as it is tall. This is approximately the shape of movies shown in theaters, which makes HD an ideal format for viewing
movies on TV. You will be able to see much of what is captured on film, but lost on an SDTV display.
In order to optimize the display of programs on your television — for example, if you are watching a 4:3 channel on a 16:9 TV or
vice versa — you may occasionally need to change the resolution and/or screen format. There are two keys that can be used
to make changes: the FORMAT key on the remote control and the RES (Resolution) key on the front panel of the DIRECTV HD
Receiver. To change your Screen Format, TV Ratio, or TV Resolution settings, press MENU, select "Settings & Help", then
"Settings", and then "HDTV".
FORMAT Key on Remote Control
Press the FORMAT key on your remote to cycle the resolutions settings supported by your TV, as well as, the screen formats in
conjunction with each individual resolution. Available screen formats such as crop, stretch or letter/pillar box, are based on the TV
Ratio setting. With each press, an onscreen message will let you know what the current resolution/format setting is.
For example, if you indicated that your TV supports only 1080i, 480i and 480p and it is a 16:9 television, and Native is turned off*,
the cycle of settings for the FORMAT key are as follows:
1st press: 480i/Stretch
2nd press: 480i/Letter box
3rd press: 480i/Crop
4th press: 480p/Stretch
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5th press: 480p/Letter box
6th press: 480p/Crop
7th press: 1080i/Stretch
8th press: 1080i/Letter box
9th press: 1080i/Crop
10th press: repeat cycle