HD signal causes small 4x3 video size. 6.2.5

[MattHelm]

I just started playing with HD as I know have a 1600 and QAM channels. After fighting the remap issue for a few hours (after 2 AM here) I have the 5 main networks working (except CBS, which has signal drops).

Now, as it's very late, all the shows being shown are SD on a digital feed. I am watching them on a PC with the Sage client. When I do so, the 4x3 show is shown in the middle of the screen with a black border on all 4 sides. I'd really like it to fill the screen!

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or is this a 6.2.5 problem???

I THINK (well, not this late) when I had a 16x9 show earlier, if filled the width, and was letter box, which is what I expected.

Thanks. (going to sleep NOW!!!)

[GKusnick]

The 4x3 content is probably being pillarboxed by the broadcaster (vertical black bars on both sides) to fill out their 16x9 broadcast format. Then your TV letterboxes that 16x9 signal to fill out your 4x3 screen. You can compensate for this by adjusting the zoom settings in your aspect ratio controls (under Detailed Settings in Sage).

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

The 4x3 content is probably being pillarboxed by the broadcaster (vertical black bars on both sides) to fill out their 16x9 broadcast format. Then your TV letterboxes that 16x9 signal to fill out your 4x3 screen. You can compensate for this by adjusting the zoom settings in your aspect ratio controls (under Detailed Settings in Sage).

So, is there a way to setup a couple of zooms in the main viewing window, so I can switch back and forth?

[GKusnick]

You have four aspect ratio modes to choose from, Source, Fill, 4x3, and 16x9 (see Chapter 5 of the SageTV manual). Pick one of those (say Source) for normal unzoomed viewing, and another (say 4x3) for zoomed viewing of pillarboxed 4x3 content.

Use the popup options menu during playback to switch modes (Chapter 4 of the manual).

[HawgGuy]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

You have four aspect ratio modes to choose from, Source, Fill, 4x3, and 16x9 (see Chapter 5 of the SageTV manual). Pick one of those (say Source) for normal unzoomed viewing, and another (say 4x3) for zoomed viewing of pillarboxed 4x3 content.

Use the popup options menu during playback to switch modes (Chapter 4 of the manual).

I do exactly that with my system - works well.

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

You have four aspect ratio modes to choose from, Source, Fill, 4x3, and 16x9 (see Chapter 5 of the SageTV manual). Pick one of those (say Source) for normal unzoomed viewing, and another (say 4x3) for zoomed viewing of pillarboxed 4x3 content.

Use the popup options menu during playback to switch modes (Chapter 4 of the manual).

OK, did that, works OK. Now, how do we get SageTV to do it automaticly?

[GKusnick]

There's an Aspect Ratio Toggle command that you can map to a button on your remote so you can quickly cycle through the various modes without bringing up the Options menu.

There's also an automatic aspect ratio switcher plugin that lets you set up rules for which mode to use with which programs. Check the Downloads section of the forum.

If you're expecting Sage to scan the video image looking for black bars, that feature doesn't exist.