Channels not decoded as 16:9, so end up with black borders top and bottom

[sinin]

Hi all,

I've noticed a lot of channels recently that are detected as 4:3 aspect ratio rather than 16:9. This causes the channel to be displayed incorrectly so that black borders are present both at the top and bottom of the picture.

I use a 16:9 display but before anyone asks, changing the DBox Video Settings between 16:9, auto or any other setting makes no difference. It also make no difference what justification setting I use on the TV.

Some channels broadcast correctly the aspect ratio of media they are displaying. For instance, watching Family Guy on BBC Three shows that the received signal is 4:3. As soon as the show finished the signal received switches to 16:9. All pictures are then displayed correctly (i.e. 4:3 has black boarders at the side, 16:9 uses the whole screen).

Other channels (i.e. Dave and Discoveries) seem to show 16:9 content although the DBox reads the signal as 4:3, so borders are shown all round the image.

If the channels are viewed through a normal box, then then image is fine - i.e. Discovery takes up the full screen.

Is there any way to override what the DBox thinks is is receiving at tell it to tell the TV that the content is actually 16:9.

I've checked a few images (although currently using Laky Sylas) but this seems to be a common issue.

Any ideas?

[STU666]

I use a Sagem Dbox2 (1x flash chip) with boxcracker bluepeer image installed. I dont deem to get any problems regarding aspect ratio with it, all the channels are the same ie full screen, no borders. It might be the image you are using mate.

[sinin]

Tried a few images - all the same. I've read that others have this issue too.

Remember, it's only on certain channels where the DBox doesn't detect the broadcast as 16:9 but the content clearly is. The discovery channels are often the culprit here.

[STU666]

Thats a strange one mate. Ive never encountered that problem before. Doyou have an aspect ratio button on your tv remote? If so, you could try setting it to auto and see if that sorts it out.

[sinin]

The TV is a Pioneer - it has several options and an auto mode but nothing comes close to stretch the picture on these channels across the screen. Full mode give the best picture without distortion but the board is all round the image.

The picture is fine on other channels that are the DBox recognises as 16:9 content.

I wondered if there was a way of overriding the DBox so telling it its getting a 16:9 broadcast rather than a 4:3. I'm thinking this will resolve the issue.