All of this is a bit childish. All we want is an option, not arguments on which format is better. So if someone likes it in pillar-box 1:1, you can watch it like that. If you want to watch people fat in 16:9, its your choice. TV makers have been gracious enough to provide us with multiple options. Can't ASTRO do the same?

If you are using HDMI and watching SD channels, you cannot stretch cause of HDMI limitations. Have to use component or composite to stretch. Just like why volume control doesnt work on HDMI, but works on analogue outputs.

I am using a Panny and settings for composite and stretch:

ASTRO settings - TV type - 4:3 (not 16:9), 4:3options - letterbox
TV settings: usual 16:9.

dont let ASTRO know. they'll say - these people engineer a walkaround, so why bother to do a firmware upgrade. We dont want to be bothered with switching our TV settings. All my inputs are full cause ASTRO byond takes up 2 slots!