Original User: plefaive
ArcMap uses the statistics calculated for a raster dataset to apply a default stretch when rendering. When statistics are not calculated for a raster dataset, ArcMap will estimate statistics on the fly for rendering which is why your imagery is being stretched despite having no statistics.
A raster dataset property that you may or may not know about is the 'Data Source Type' setting which controls the symbology applied when the raster dataset is rendered. This setting can be found in the raster dataset properties window, there are four options to choose from: GENERIC, ELEVATION, THEMATIC or PROCESSED. By setting the raster to the PROCESSED data type, ArcMap will assume that the data has already been enhanced, therefore no stretch will be applied when displaying the raster.
In your case (if this option works), you would only have to change this property setting in the raster dataset in SDE. Hope this helps!
Paul
GIS Analyst, Esri Canada