V HD VHD box with HDTV problems

skylinefx · 20-08-2011, 01:20

Hello!
I have replaced my old virgin media set top box with the VHD one yesterday. Set it up and stuff. Connected using HDMI.
For some reason, all channels seem to be stretched (everything is long

). No matter what settings (720p or 1080p or both wide). I also tried changing the TV settings but there isn't much I could do except change the aspect ratio (Full, wide, 4:3, box). If I change the TV setting to wide, the image isn't stretched anymore, however I cannot see the sides and the menu is completely stretched.
I have a 43" Pioneer PDP-436SXE.

I have connected a PS3 to the TV and it works fine.
I also remember that there was a similar problem with the old set top box. The image would be stretched in height if I didn't select wide on the TV settings. If I selected wide, the image or the menu wouldn't be stretched but I couldnt see the sides.

Help please.

20-08-2011, 01:32

Can you set the TV to 'Just Scan'?

skylinefx · 20-08-2011, 01:52

Do you mean automatically select the aspect ratio?

20-08-2011, 08:29

Any particular channels?

When you set "wide" mode it doesn't affect any 16:9 channels but it will convert all 3:4 channels to s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y vision

I notice quite a few channels/programmes on VM are still 3:4 = stretchy vision - notably ITV2 (i watch Judge Judy everyday in s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y- vision)

Your PS3 maybe watching the same channel vis freeview which is in 16:9

skylinefx · 20-08-2011, 19:56

I guess the problem is with my TV... I need to somehow add those black bars to the top and the bottom so that it doesn't become stretched. The problem is that I can do that when it's connected with scart, but can't do it when it is connected with HDMI...

carmad · 20-08-2011, 22:55

The vhd box is set to 720 or 1080 not 720/1080wide as this will strech the pictures.

TheDon · 20-08-2011, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylinefx

I guess the problem is with my TV... I need to somehow add those black bars to the top and the bottom so that it doesn't become stretched. The problem is that I can do that when it's connected with scart, but can't do it when it is connected with HDMI...

Nah, you need to stop your TV from stretching the picture and to just display it as is sent.

There's a button on your remote that should do this, looking at the manual for your TV it's near the top of the remote, underneath the 4th input select, a square with two triangles pointing out. Press that and select full.

If that doesn't work, then go to menu, options, auto size, and turn it on.

skylinefx · 21-08-2011, 13:18

With that button you can change to full, wide, 4:3, cinema etc. All options are available when the box is plugged in with the scart cable and I can view the image without it being stretched (also by changing the scart output options in the VHD box options to 4:3). However, about half of these options aren't available when using the HDMI cable. Setting it to auto will usually make it 'Full', but that makes the image a bit stretched in length. Setting the TV to 'Wide' manually will make the middle look normal but the sides become stretched out. Looks like a magnifying glass...

I can post pictures later if you don't understand what I mean.

TheDon · 21-08-2011, 14:49

Which ones are available via HDMI?

Make sure the V HD box is set to 1080, and not either of the wide settings else you'll get stretcho-vision.

Then your V HD box will always be outputting a full 1920 x 1080 frame (with pillar boxing if it's 4:3 content) and then full should just display it as is. If it doesn't then there's some other settings on your tv coming into play somewhere.

skylinefx · 21-08-2011, 17:04

Wide, Full, Zoom, 4:3 are available when using HDMI.
Cinema, Full 14:9, Cinema 14:9, Wide, Full, Zoom, 4:3 options are available when using the scart cable.

I've tried every mixture of settings and none of them seem to work.
The TV shows the resolution as 750p or 1125i but I've read that it also shows the data lines that's why it's 1125i and not 1080i.

EDIT: Just tried watching a 1080p BluRay movie from my PS3. It isn't full screen like the VHD box, and it isn't stretched because it has black bars at the top and bottom. These are applied because my TV isn't a widescreen, right? Why doesn't the VHD box do that too?

TheDon · 21-08-2011, 18:18

Your TV is widescreen.
You'll be watching a 21:9 movie which is wider than widescreen, and that will have bars top and bottom.

Normal widescreen (16:9) should be played fullscreen with no black bars. non-widescreen 4:3 content should be played with black bars left and right.

skylinefx · 21-08-2011, 18:50

So setting the VHD box to 720p or 1080p wide should work shouldn't it? But it doesn't do anything... Only the menu becomes wider, not the video itself.

spiderplant · 21-08-2011, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylinefx

So setting the VHD box to 720p or 1080p wide should work shouldn't it? But it doesn't do anything... Only the menu becomes wider, not the video itself.

What channel are you watching? It sounds like it is a widescreen channel but currently showing some 4:3 content with the black bars already added. You probably won't be able to make the bars go away.

The "wide" settings only affect true 4:3 channels. (But as Don says, it's a bad thing as it distorts the picture).

skylinefx · 21-08-2011, 19:37

ALL channels are stretched when the VHD box is set to 720p/1080p/wide and the TV is set to it's default 'Full'.
Black bars on the side do appear on some reports on BBC news which is weird.
Just noticed that E4 does have black bars along the top and bottom, however the image is still stretched.

spiderplant · 21-08-2011, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylinefx

ALL channels are stretched when the VHD box is set to 720p/1080p/wide and the TV is set to it's default 'Full'.

Then 'Full' is not the right setting to use. Tune to a full-time widescreen channel (such as any of the HD ones), and get that looking right. The 4:3 channels will probably be correct then too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylinefx

Black bars on the side do appear on some reports on BBC news which is weird.

That will be content that was filmed in 4:3. Often old or foreign material. The BBC are adding the black bars and you can't remove them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skylinefx

Just noticed that E4 does have black bars along the top and bottom, however the image is still stretched.

The bars top & bottom will have been added at source. I can't see them at the moment on Friends, which is a full-frame 4:3 programme.