Picture is cut off

Feb 08, 2009

-   I don't have this model TV, but I do have Mediacom as my cable provider and they seem to be showing a picture that is cut off on the sides on several local affiliate stations of the national broadcast channels (I have noticed it on ABC and now NBC). It does not matter which picture mode you select (4:3, "normal", wide, full, etc.) because the image is cut off (the ABC logo in the lower right corner only shows half, for instance and other titles are cut off).  This is happening on both my HD TVs (a Toshiba LCD and a Pioneer rear projection) and I can even see the picture zoom/enlarge when coming back from commercial breaks and become cut off. 
I posed this question in an AVS forum and got the following response:
"The "zooming" problem might be due to what we call AFD or Active Format Description. This is information in the HD video used to control downconverters to either letterbox or center-cut 16x9 video material for 4x3 sets For example, NBC want to letterbox certain shows because they are not "center-cut safe". They have requested cable companies use this feature in their equipment if they down convert the HD signal for the SD feed on their cable system. If this is the case, you will see switching between letter box and center cut depending on what the program supplier has determined is the best way for the 16x9 program to be displayed in 4x3 and your set won't be able to undo it. I've heard some converter boxes have this feature, but HD sets don't since they are 16x9. So it could be the cable company's down converting equipment. Speculation at this point as to what might be going on at Mediacom but a possibility."-   johneray

Dec 08, 2008

-   The picture is cut off, there's gray sidebars except for when i have it in cinema but then part of the top and bottom get cut off, and i have a mediacom box, is there a way to fix this or can I somehow reset the tv?-   brinky05

Jul 23, 2008

-   my new 32" 720p insignia flat screen either cuts off the top or bottom of the image, or shows these obnoxious gray sidebars. I am looking for the best settings for both the cable box (I have a scientific atlanta explorer 8300hd cable box from time warner) and the television.-   lmaddox