V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

I am trying to copy a program recorded on my V+ box on to DVD.

I have a black Samsung V+ box connected to my Panasonic TV by HMDI, and a Panasonic VCR/DVD recorder (DMR-EZ48VEB) connected via SCART lead which goes from "VCR/DVD" on the V+ box to AV2 on the DVD recorder. The recorders' AV1 socket is connect by SCART to AV1 on my TV, and I gather this could be replaced by an HDMI connection.

I am able to record programs on to DVD, either by using the V+ "Copy to VCR/DVD" function, or by recording the AV2 input on the DVD recorder.:)

The program I originally recorded on V+ was widescreen, however, the signal output by the V+ box appears to be 14:9. I've checked my V+ settings and all looks OK.

All I'm trying to do is transfer the recording in the same format as it was originally broadcast in. Any ideas?

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Thread moved to correct section and prefix added

Welcome to the forum

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Go into the display settings, and change the TV Display Format to Widescreen, and press OK to save the settings. Then go back into the display settings again and change it back to HDMI. Your archiving will now be widescreen.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Try what spiderplant says, but I've noticed with other Panny DVD recorders that when you record to a DVD-R or DVD-RW the widescreen trigger signal is not always preserved. The only way to preserve the signal on these machines is to use the more expensive DVD-RAM discs

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Thanks for the information.

spiderplant - Thanks....having done as you suggested, I find that I now have sound only (no picture) when looking at the output from the V+ box on AV1. The same thing happens if I connect V+ box to DVD recorder on HDMI2.

I selected Widescreen, and saved the settings, then selected TV Display Format as "HiDef HDMI". The "V+ Box HiDef Output" defaulted to 720, and I had to change this to 1080 Wide to get my TV to display correctly.

So, as I don't have a picture on AV1 or HDMI2 now, I can't tell whether it is widescreen or not.

Any ideas?

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Firstly, check that all the Scarts are in firmly. Give the V+ a re-boot just in case.

Do you have picture & sound on AV1 on the TV when you are playing a DVD, or just when you are trying to watch the AV2 input from the V+.

If it is only the AV2 input, try plugging this into the TV and selecting it. No picture - reverse the cable and try again (eliminates a scart fault). Still no picture - you have a problem with the V+.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Are you sure you are using the "VCR" SCART socket on the V+? The "TV" one doesn't work when in HDMI mode.

Otherwise, what nodrogd says.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Thanks again guys....I managed to get the picture on AV2 back by changing the DVD recorder AV2 input settings from RGB to RGB/Video.

So, I'm back to how I was, but the V+ still seems to transmit AV2 signals as 14:9. I recorded another DVD and played it on a different DVD player and TV, and it does play as 14:9.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Do you have a spare widescreen TV you can attach in place of the DVD recorder to check the output from the V+?

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

nodrogd is correct about some Panasonic DVD recorders, they will only record widescreen on DVD-Ram discs. If you find this is the case you can copy the files to a PC and change the data files, a little complex but it is possible.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

No need. Just force your set to 16:9 and the picture displays correctly. All the picture info is there, just not the trigger signal.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Quite right....took some time a few years ago working out how to re-engineer the DVD info files to activate the WSS function, forgot the easy way!

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

But if I set the TV to 16:9, the picture is stretched.

As spiderplant suggested (thanks :)), I ran a SCART lead from the V+ VCR/DVD output to another TV. This confirms that the signal transmitted from this output is 14:9.

So that eliminates anything to do with the DVD recorder (for now...:)).

So, if the V+ box is connected to my TV by HDMI, and the TV Display Format is HiDef HDMI, and the V+ Box HiDef Output set to 1080 Wide (which seems to be the correct setting for my TV), what aspect ratio would I expect to get from the VCR/DVD output? Is there a separate setting for it?

UPDATE: I phoned Virgin Customer Services who told me that it's not possible to change the aspect ratio setting output by AV1, but it seems illogical to me that a facility is provided to copy a recording to VCR/DVD, but if it is 16:9 widescreen, you can't copy it in it's original format?

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

The V+ does have separate settings for the HDMI and SCART internally, but the way the user interface is designed prevents you accessing both at the same time. This is why I suggested setting the V+ output to Widescreen SCART, then back again.

Try it again. Make sure you save it and it really does switch to SCART output. Then back to HDMI. This works for me, anyway.

What channel was the original recording from? Try a new recording from a 100% widescreen channel such as BBC News. Also are you certain it's 14:9, not 4:3?

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Just tried this myself. The output from the VCR Scart of the V+ does not carry the Widescreen trigger, but it IS in 16:9 format. I have switched between the two on my own TV's and the picture size/shape is identical between the HDMI output and the VCR Scart output. If I force the TV to 14:9 on the Scart output the picture is squashed.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

I found on my Panasonic DVD recorder, things would look fine recorded off Virgin box, using scart, either on the hard drive, or later on disc. However, my sister in law said, that when I lent her a couple of recordings (DVD-R), on her tv the display was squashed.

Re: V+ to DVD - 14:9
 

Hurray! Problem solved! :)

As before, I changed the output to Widescreen, then back to HDMI. As far as I know the only difference this time was that I put the V+ box on standby in between setting and resetting.

I've copied a program to DVD, and checked that it plays on another DVD player and TV in the same format as it was originally broadcast. All is well. :)

Many thanks to spiderplant and everyone who helped or provided suggestions.