answer:I have a Phillips, and it only does that when I watch a 4×3 show and force it into 16×9. I can change the format to fit what I am watching, so I watch a 4×3 in 4×3 format. I am on Comcast Cable, and subscribe to HD channels, all new or recent programming on the HD channels are in 16×9 and have no distortion. Go to good TV store and ask lots of questions and make sure they let you work the remote to see the features.