How to force full screen TV? (1 Viewer)

[SwissBuster]

TV-Server Version: 3
MediaPortal Version: 1.0.0 RC3
MediaPortal Skin: Blue3
Windows Version: Vista Home Premium SP1
CPU Type: Intel Core2 Duo E7200 2.53Ghz
HDD: WDC 750GB
Memory: 4GM RAM
Motherboard: Asus P5N-EM HDMI
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD2400 Pro
Video Card Driver: 8.501.0.0
1. TV Card: Technisat SkyStar HD2
1. TV Card Type: DVS-S
1. TV Card Driver: 1.1.0.402
MPEG2 Video Codec: Cyberlink PDVD 8
MPEG2 Audio Codec: AC3
h.264 Video Codec: Cyberlink PDVD 8
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
Remote: Logitec Harmony 55
TV: Sharp 52"
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

I've noticed that several TV channels display in 4:3 format on my 16:9 screen. Usually this means a full height image with black bars left and right, but sometimes it's even a letterbox 4:3 screen (i.e. black bars on all 4 sides). I haven't fully diagnosed when and which channels display this way, but it is usually the same channels, but not all of the time. Germany channels seem to be worse, and with UK channels, its often ITV 2 and ITV3. If I switch to my set-top box, all channels are displayed in full screen all the time.

Since switching to blue3, this seems to be worse, but I still had issues with blue two wide. I have tried different codes and also playing with the allowed TV zoom modes (under MP config), but nothing seems to make any difference. I installed Autocropper today but that didn't seem to make any difference whatsoever. I've searched the wiki and looked through the forums but can't get any ideas of what causes this and how to get rid of it. Actually, I don't understand what settings (skin, codes, zoom modes) determine how the TV images is disaplyed.

Is there anyone out there that can point me in the right direction?

 

[europbaron]

ITV2 and 3 often broadcast a 4:3 signal for pictures that are framed in 16:9 resulting in the bars on all 4 sides. Your TV is probably set to auto zoom these signals to fill the screen - hence no problem when you view the set top box "directly". However, your HTPC will display the correct resolution unless you manually zoom in because the HDMI connection will be carrying a signal at whatever resolution you have set your desktop to, resulting in the same scaling (if any - you don't mention what resolution you are using) of the signal from the PC for all channels.

You say you've played with the allowed zoom modes in config, but have you actually tried changing between them while viewing (hotkey S)? This always sorts the "problem" for me. It's not really a problem, in that you just have to scale wth the PC instead of the TV's in built scaler.

 

[SwissBuster]

Have you actually tried changing between them while viewing (hotkey S)?

I'd missed that particular gem. How did you get so smart so quickly?

Playing with 'S' made me realise my testing had been pretty poor, and allowed me to find the zoom level which works best for all my channels. Thanks! Just got to figure out why the scrambled Swiss channels have stopped working now!

 

[europbaron]

Glad to be of help.