HD channels display with huge borders

shnookumshnum · 08-01-2010, 16:40

All of the HD channels on VM display with huge borders on the right and on the left, making the picture really small. I have a 32" Sharp Aquos HD widescreen and besides not being able to noitice the difference between scart and HD anyway, this is really annoying.
The V+ box is set to HDMI 1080 wide and the screen displays full on all other channels and also when I look at something on HD on demand. What could it be?

BenMcr · 08-01-2010, 16:47

It should only be happening when they aren't showing someting in HD on the simulcast channels like C4HD

'HDMI wide' will only stretch an SD channel because there is no picture outside the square.

HD always broadcasts in widescreen. If they then show a square program like Friends they broadcast the black borders down the left and right sides to make the broadcast widescreen but keep the program the right size.

See here for more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillarbox

It shouldn't happen on BBC HD as they only show HD widescreen programs

shnookumshnum · 08-01-2010, 17:19

Well I have read that article and played about with some TV settings, still the same issue. I also have 3 friends with the same problem all with VM, so it cannot be my equipment

Digital Fanatic · 08-01-2010, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnookumshnum

Well I have read that article and played about with some TV settings, still the same issue. I also have 3 friends with the same problem all with VM, so it cannot be my equipment

whats the pic like on BBC HD ch108?

---------- Post added at 17:33 ---------- Previous post was at 17:26 ----------

Haven't you had problems with your tv already?

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...sound-but.html

altis · 08-01-2010, 17:37

Does the picture reach the top and bottom of the screen?

Digital Fanatic · 08-01-2010, 17:40

If a programme is filmed in HD - it will be widescreen HD on a HD channel.

If a programme is filmed in Standard definition, but in widescreen - it will be shown in upscaled widescreen on a HD channel.

If a programme is filmed in SD 4:3 - it will be shown in upscaled 4:3 on a HD channel.

HDMI (WIDE) setting will only stretch SD broadcasts on SD channels - HD channels see the black borders as part of the pic and you can't stretch the image.

You do not have a fault and neither do your friends.

HTH

shnookumshnum · 09-01-2010, 12:27

Yes I did have a problem displaying HD at all, this was sorted by a replacement mainboard.

So Digital Fanatic, as per your post, many people out there view the HD channels like this because the prog is filmed this way, and because the image is not stretched, it displays in HD but with the huge borders?

Digital Fanatic · 09-01-2010, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnookumshnum

Yes I did have a problem displaying HD at all, this was sorted by a replacement mainboard.

So Digital Fanatic, as per your post, many people out there view the HD channels like this because the prog is filmed this way, and because the image is not stretched, it displays in HD but with the huge borders?

Yeah, that is correct.

Did you check BBC HD or MTV HD? Are they showing correctly?

shnookumshnum · 09-01-2010, 18:36

Yes, both of those channels display the whole screen.

Digital Fanatic · 09-01-2010, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnookumshnum

Yes, both of those channels display the whole screen.

ok, if both of those channels are ok, then any black bars you see on some of the other HD channels (at times) can be explained in post #6

Quote:

If a programme is filmed in SD 4:3 - it will be shown in upscaled 4:3 on a HD channel.

HTH