MrScott1 wrote:The MPEG4 conversion has nothing to do with the resolution
If you have a non-CRT (flat screen) TV it takes whatever is supplied on the HDMI data stream and converts it to a TV-specific progressive format that is presented to you. The output of the set top box should be set to your TV's native best resolution that the set top box offers.
With the producers and networks now using (honoring) data stream flags in MPEG transmitted entertainment (AFD systems), more and more SD content appears nearly as HD without any need for TV or set top box 'zoom' features.