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Closed captioning
The Cox high-definition set-top initially will not support closed captioning
on high-definition channels; however, you will still be able to view closed
captioning over the duplicative standard-definition versions of HDTV channels (whether
in the analog lineup or on Cox Digital Cable). The closed captioning limitation
on HD channels is a technical limitation. Cox is diligently working with
its set-top supplier on the development of new software for providing closed
captioning on all channels. This software will be downloaded to your set-top
once it becomes available.
Black bars (sidebars and letterboxing)
When an over-air broadcast program transmitted in standard-definition
(4:3 aspect ratio) is viewed on a wide-screen (16:9 aspect ratio) HDTV,
the HDTV can center the image on the screen with black or gray bars on either
side (known as sidebars). In like fashion, the Cox set-top adds sidebars
to allow 4:3 content to be viewed via the high definition input of a 16:9
wide-screen HDTV. Also, note that widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) content
on a 4:3 aspect ratio HDTV will typically have black bars on the top and
bottom of the screen - this is known as letterboxing.
Burn-in
If you consistently watch standard-definition (4:3 aspect ratio) programming
on a wide-screen (16:9 aspect ratio) HDTV with sidebars activated over very
long periods of time, you may ruin your HDTV's ability to display colors
evenly across the screen. Similarly, constant viewing of 16:9 wide-screen
content on a 4:3 aspect ratio HDTV with letter boxing can cause the same
problem. Why? The inside of your HDTV's screen is lined with thousands of
tiny phosphors, which glow red, green, or blue when struck by an electron
beam (that is what creates the color in color TVs). The more a phosphor
is heated by electrons, the faster it ages and diminishes in intensity (that
is why the picture on an old TV eventually fades to black). If all of the
phosphors in a screen age evenly, the set's picture will gradually fade
over time without distortions. However, if part of the screen is left blank
for long periods of time, the phosphors in the black areas will not age
at all, so they will appear brighter than the areas around them when the
screen is filled again. This is a risk that you incur when watching content
on your HDTV with sidebars or letter boxing. Both the television manufacturers
and Cox recommend that you do not activate or display sidebars or letterboxes
for prolonged periods of time as this may degrade the quality of the HDTV.
Consult your HDTV owner's manual for details.
Switching video inputs
Your wide-screen HDTV may have picture size adjustment features (zoom, stretch,
etc.) that can be used to remove the black bars (thereby preventing burn-in)
otherwise seen when watching standard-definition programming. If you wish
to take advantage of these picture size adjustment features, you must switch
the video input mode on your HDTV to the Standard Video input (most likely
labeled VIDEO SOURCE on the remote control that came with your TV) when
watching standard-definition programming. Note that future versions of the
Cox high-definition set-top box will have picture size adjustment functions
built into the set-top. In either case, Cox recommends that you avoid prolonged
use of sidebars or letterboxing as this may result in damage to your HDTV.
Consult your HDTV owner's manual for details.
Graphics overlay on high-definition video
Due to a technology limitation of the Cox high-definition set-top, most
graphics cannot be displayed over high-definition video. This means that
the video will disappear when you launch the Cox programming guide or press
the INFO button on your remote control while viewing high-definition programming.
Similarly, emergency alert messages may cause the video to disappear when
the emergency alert message is displayed. Also due to the graphics limitation,
the volume indicator banner will not appear on your TV screen when adjusting
the volume of
high-definition programming (in order to minimize disruptions to the video
programming).
Picture quality
You may notice that picture quality varies across the different high-definition
channels you receive as part of the Cox HDTV service. Some programming may
even appear to be "stretched" (making objects and people appear
shorter and fatter). The picture quality of the high-definition programming
you receive is determined by the content provider. If you are receiving video
on a high-definition channel, you should assume that your HDTV service is
functioning properly.
Cox Basic service required
for local HD channels. Cox Digital Cable and Expanded required for expanded
HD channels. Digital Cable and paid subscription to Digital HBO, Starz or
Showtime required for HBO HD, Starz HD, or Showtime HD. An HDTV receiver or
CableCard and an HDTV set required. |
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