Panasonic TCP46C2 46 in Plasma TV We hooked up an HDMI cable this evening; the image looks great, but we have black sidebars that we can't get rid of. Is there a way to make the picture stretch the entire screen?

That sounds like a problem with your buffer boards

Sorry but it's time to shop for another tv the cost of repairing would cost almost as much as a new unit.

No you do not want black even if it could be changed which it cannot.

The problem with black (and why it is not used) is after prolonged use with a black border it will BURN that image into both sides of the screen unit--you will be able to see it.

Eforcity 280080 VGA to HDMI Cable M/M 6 ft Black If your laptop has a VGA port.
Thank you

mine did that.

its the main power board inside

The warranty does not cover lightning, check if your insurance covers it.
A lightning strike on such panel ( HDMI ) is very difficult to repair and if not impossible.The HDMI connector is hooked to the ground of the TV set so everything could be damaged.
My advice is not to repair.

standard cable, just hook it to ant 1 or 2...your ps3 should have an hdmi connection, looks like an oversized usb cord. hook your ps3 into hdmi 1 or 2 or 3, doesn't matter. then switch your inputs on the tv accordingly.

Try pressing input on your remote and make sure the source is selected to what you have it plagged in. For example cable box plugged into hdmi1 set input to hdmi 1. Also can you access tv setup at all? If not your tv might be bad to begin with.

Check the resolution settings on your cable box, you may have to call your cable provider to find out how to get into the settings menu, there is a stretch function in the settings that should make all the lower channels auto fit your screen, also see if there's a p=size button on your remote control, try pushing that when on the channels that have sidebars.