4:3 letterbox on HDMI through sky box - need help

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Legacy_user
Legacy_user Posts: 0 Newbie
edited 24 April 2014 at 9:45PM in Techie Stuff
I recently got a new TV, connected my sky box with a HDMI cable and the picture on certain channels such as TCM have those side black bars, now I connected back via scart lead and messed about with the TV settings and now it's stretching the picture so the writing is going off the screen. I'm at my wits end :eek: how can I sort this out. Please help
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  • marcarm
    marcarm Posts: 1,205 Forumite
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    http://www.sky.com/helpcentre/tv/sky-plus/picture-problems/adjust-aspect-ratio-to-fit-TV-screen/index.html%20?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    Is that for HD boxes?
  • aerostar
    aerostar Posts: 1,736 Forumite
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    HDMI is superior to scart.

    If the transmission of the program is in 4:3 then you will get black bars - just because you have a widescreen television do not expect every transmission to be widescreen, yes you can force zoom etc but you will get the type of problems you are complaining about.
  • marcarm
    marcarm Posts: 1,205 Forumite
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    Should be pretty much the same for most boxes I think.

    I assume you have HD box as you mention using HDMI.

    try this, http://www.sky.com/helpcentre/tv/sky-plus-hd/picture-problems/adjust-aspect-ratio-to-fit-TV-screen/index.html%20?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    edited 23 April 2014 at 9:46PM
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    aerostar wrote: »
    HDMI is superior to scart.

    If the transmission of the program is in 4:3 then you will get black bars - just because you have a widescreen television do not expect every transmission to be widescreen, yes you can force zoom etc but you will get the type of problems you are complaining about.

    So what is the solution to this problem to stop the black boxes at the side, can't I do anything?
  • RumRat
    RumRat Posts: 4,790 Forumite
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    I'm assuming you had an old CRT prior to your new TV.
    The black bars at the side give you the right dimensions for watching 4.3transmissions. That's how they are supposed to be viewed. Getting rid of them would give you a stretched picture to fit your TV and everyone would have large heads etc.
    Never use scart if you have the choice of HDMI.
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  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    marcarm wrote: »
    Should be pretty much the same for most boxes I think.

    I assume you have HD box as you mention using HDMI.

    When I click services it takes me to the sky + set up page and Yeah I do have my HD box set up with a HDMI cable.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    RumRat wrote: »
    I'm assuming you had an old CRT prior to your new TV.
    The black bars at the side give you the right dimensions for watching 4.3transmissions. That's how they are supposed to be viewed. Getting rid of them would give you a stretched picture to fit your TV and everyone would have large heads etc.
    Never use scart if you have the choice of HDMI.

    I had a old tv before this one. Oh so a scart lead is a definite no then? tbh i'm confused with all this modern technology lol
  • marcarm
    marcarm Posts: 1,205 Forumite
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    Dump the scart cable and use HDMI!

    What sort of shows are you watching with the bars?

    I get this with some old sitcoms such as Frasier, where it was filmed in 4:3. You can stretch the picture but it will look grainy.

    Set your tv to auto or 16:9 and you will soon get used to it.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    Scart lead is binned lol

    I watch prince of bel air, 2 pints of lager and sometimes old films on TCM and a couple of the music channels that play old songs do this too.
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