Problems viewing Fox football on standard TV

However, something about the broadcast you’re receiving isn’t getting the memo that the signal is in widescreen, and therefore is sending it to your TV as normal screen, hence why you’re losing part of the image.

The black bars are because normally the widescreen is crammed onto your small screen by making the wider (normal on a widescreen) edges the edge of your standard TV, which causes a slightly smashed look (on a widescreen, this is normal because the picture is more rectangular than square like a standard TV, whereas the black bars account for the smashed widescreen look on a standard TV)

Normally, your standard TV should be getting the reception in “wide” screen, but since your TV isn’t wide, the broadcast has to be flattened a bit to keep the resolution normal so that a rectangle fits into a square.

However, I’m no TV genius, so I can’t offer a solution other than calling your company and asking what’s up. To my knowledge, the TV or receiver one should automatically adjust it so that the black bars are there so you can see everything.

Hope I provided a sliver of insight for your problem!

Buy a cheap HDTV.

I’d recommend getting an HD set set of rabbit ears (get one that is amplified (plugs into the wall)). You wont have that problem and if you have a HD TV you will be shocked at the TV quality. Over the air HD > quality than Dish or Direct TV quality HD.

It’s time you made the jump to HDTV, my good friend. Vizio has a cheap 32 and 37inch entry models that sport “full HD.” I don’t think Dish’s HD receivers are that expensive either.

its the same way on my tv…. In santa cruz California so i think its just fox

this is a provider problem, here’s a link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100731132527AAAEsJ4

Not that I have a suspicious nature or anything, but I wonder if DISH Network might be trying to “encourage” subscribers to transition to the (more expensive) HDTV packages here.

We’ll all eventually transition to HDTV, it IS the new standard. Owners of older TVs shouldn’t have to put up with this needless crap in the meantime, though.

On my old tube set in the bedroom, I get my choice of standard def or high def. If I choose the high def channel, it displays in letterbox.

I HATE that HD is not comatible with the old NTSC tv receivers. One of the big points of pride with the American broadcast standard was that it was compatible with the old televisions from the 1950’s.

It disappoints me, my brother, but you should upgrade your service and/or your television. You’ll be amazed. I pointed out how clear the people in the stands are to my wife, and she wanted to know why I was watching the people in the stands. I had no response.