Hi guys, my father-in-law wants a digital STB so the family has decided to get one for Fathers Day. Since I am the most AV technically minded in the family it is up to me to pick a STB amongst the hundreds available.

The tv is a LG (I didn't pick it) rear projection tv - model RT-44NZ23RB. I am not even sure if it is high definition or not. Website doesn't say neither does the user manual.

One very annoying thing about this tv is that when set to 4:3 (what it should be set to without a STB) it has grey bars on the sides, yep thats right grey bars not black. It is my understanding that with a STB any 4:3 broadcasts will have proper black bars, ie the STB will produce black not grey?

Price range under $200 is preferable with RGB SCART output.

Thanks.

The TV is SD with capabilities of 480i/480p/576i

pg 32 of your manual, or look at the back of the TV above the component-in's, that's what definitions it lists. A SD STB is all you need. the TEAC DB420 (might be a newer model out by now) has RGB SCART outputs. Price should be under $100, although you will need to purchase the scart cable too.

In regards to the gray bars in 4:3 mode, buy a STB and you wont have this problem any more otherwise I dont really know how to change it - it is a TV-based setting, not a broadcast issue.

Thanks DaveP.

I suppose I should ask is there any SD STB with SCART that I should STAY WELL AWAY from?