Can a high def screen be set to normal screen? Not liking high def

no it cant, if the images are not high def they will not be as sharp, just like your tv a high def tv show compared to the old analog tv show, the source is the same

It looks like you are saying standard definition pictures do not cover the screen like HD pictures do. Standard def is formatted 4:3 and high def is 16:9. They are not the same so your high def screen is made to display the not as tall but wider high def picture. In order to fill the screen with the taller and not as wide 4:3 aspect ratio std def picture you must tell the TV to stretch the picture or otherwise fill the screen.The TV will have controls you can exercise for this purpose and you can set it up to always show std def in a particular manner. The alternative, if you want the standard Def picture to look true to form, is to view standard def in Letter Box form. It's appearance will then include black panels on the sides of the picture. So the problem is not with the TV but in accepting older format pictures playing on newer format displays (TVs.)

It looks like you are saying standard definition pictures do not cover the screen like HD pictures do. Standard def is formatted 4:3 and high def is 16:9. They are not the same so your high def screen is made to display the not as tall but wider high def picture. In order to fill the screen with the taller and not as wide 4:3 aspect ratio std def picture you must tell the TV to stretch the picture or otherwise fill the screen.The TV will have controls you can exercise for this purpose and you can set it up to always show std def in a particular manner. The alternative, if you want the standard Def picture to look true to form, is to view standard def in Letter Box form. It's appearance will then include black panels on the sides of the picture. So the problem is not with the TV but in accepting older format pictures playing on newer format displays (TVs.)

You most likely will see the crack during normal operation of watching the TV. Otherwise it doesn't hurt the TV. The screens if available will be expensive.

I think I have a good idea of what you're experiencing.

Our minds are so set in the low-def mode that when those extra lines are filled in for high-def it looks like a bunch of dots. Notice everything is so much more clear? I thought the same thing when I watched my first blu-ray disc.

Watch something in high-def and then go back to standard immediately after. You'll notice that you can't get near as much detail off of the low-def.

Those dots are your mind trying to put high-def into low def.

Hope this helps; please rate my solution accordingly

Respectfully,

Don

are you on a standard def or HD tvs? b/c if you have the xbox set on high def, then you try to plug it into the standard def then you won't get a picture, but you will get sound. If you don't have a high def tv then go to a friends or someone you know's and plug it in to see if you get a picture.

Your TV plays High Def material through either Input 4 (uses component cables R,G,B) or through Input 5 (Uses DVI cable).
Today most equipment uses HDMI cable for High Def or it may have a component (RGB) output that you can use. The DVI hookup is best, so you need a HDMI to DVI cable or Component Cables (Red, Green, Blue). You need some source that OUTPUTS High def (ex. 1080i) either through HDMI or component cable. You need to either connect the component cable(R,G,B) from the source to the Input 4 on the TV or connect the HDMI to DVI cable from the source to the Input 5.
You need to set the AV source on the TV to AV5 (if you are using the DVI input) or AV4 (if you are using component cables).
If you want to play Highdef source like Blue Ray then you can just connect the output of the blu ray player to your Tv using either the HDMI to DVI cable or component cable (Red, Green, Blue) and set the TV input to AV5 (for HDMI/DVI) or AV4 (for component).
But if you are trying to get Free High Def from an antenna then you will need to have a component that can OUTPUT high def. The $40 converter boxes don't do this - they simply convert the Digital signal to Analog (non high def). What you need is a High Def TUNER that OUTPUTS High Def. I was looking for one for this same reason and ordered the centronics ZAT 502 HD. But it cost about $80. Then I saw that Tivo had an upgrade deal where I could upgrade my existing Series 2 Tivo to Tivo HD for $99. It has a High Def Tuner in it. So I cancelled my order with Centronics and got the Tivo. In any case if you want Over the air HD you will need a High Def Tuner that will OUTPUT 1080.

There are certain settings on the PS3 that has to be changed each time that you switch from High Def to AV. You have to plug both cords in and turn the PS3 on and view the screen with the High Def. You have to go to Settings --> Display Settings --> Video Output Settings
then follow the instructions.
Watch this video and it will help you switch from High Def to AV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBqfeIpKm70&feature=related

This is because you are not receiving a high def signal or you are not using your high def inputs.

Your problem sounds like the digital board and probably was what the repair people said. I would suggest telling them about Tri-State Module, Inc in Evansville, IN. 800.203.7484. They have a good selection of modules for about any set and most are under $150.00 with the average being $100. They rebuild boards and all boards carry a 12 month warranty. You can also access them at www.tristatemodule.com. If they can't help try PTS in Bloomington Indiana. I use them for alot of replacement modules. Same deal as tristate. www.ptscorp.com