Hey gang, since CBS proper isn't showing TPIR in 16:9 (widescreen) format for you folks would can only watch in SD (4:3), I have a really neat trick that you can use to watch television most-exciting hour in widescreen (or any HD program for that matter). This works by picking up the OTA (over-the-air) signal, so if you don't have much luck picking up your local CBS affiliate over the air, you're out of luck. But if you can...read on!
First, pick up one of those wonderful digital-to-analog converter boxes that everyone is pimping for the DTV transition. Get a good antenna, too...
I have one similar to this one. Also, pick up a set of red/white/yellow composite cables too if you don't have some laying around.
Next, set it all up based on the instructions in the box for the converter. It's best to use the composite cables for an easier setup. Position your antenna in a good place, and turn it on.
Next, turn on the box, and turn your TV to the proper channel where your box is hooked up, and follow the instruction to tune your box. It'll search for any signals, and take a good long time finding them. After it's done, look for your CBS affiliate's
HD signal. Some are sending out SD and HD...make sure you get HD. In my case, this allowed me to watch widescreen HD programming in a letterboxed SD format without any changes. If it still crops it to 4:3, go into the settings for your box and tell it to force letterboxing..that should do the trick.
