New Freeview box chops off around 1/3 of image

lombard · 05-10-2013, 00:10

Hi. Is anyone familiar with this Freeview box issue? I got a new box today after my DVD recorder broke. Problem is, most channels have approximately 1/3 of the image cut off the left and right sides (BBC1 and Ch4 only cut around 1/20 off). The image that remains is slightly pixelated, as though it's being zoomed in on. When I use the box's remote to zoom out, it reveals the whole correct image, so I know that it is there (when using zoom, though, the image is surrounded by black on all sides, two zoom 'graphics' are visible and all other remote functions are disabled, so it's not really a practical alternative for watching TV with). The TV 'screen toggle' option doesn't correct things either, it only allows me to zoom in further or switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios (the 4:3 ratio doesn't incorporate the missing portion of the image).

The images aren't altered when watching films through the box's USB port.

So, does anyone know if there's any way of overcoming this problem? Is it a common thing with Freeview boxes? I may just return the box, but I wondered if there was a corrective I'd just not considered.

TelevisionUser · 05-10-2013, 00:19

Can you please tell us the make and model so that other people who've had the same box can share their experiences? It might also be helpful to know where you bought the box and what type of features you'd want in any replacement box, e.g. HD, IPTV, etc. Thanks.

emptybox · 05-10-2013, 01:09

Is it a widescreen 16:9 TV?

You used to get these mismatches viewing Freeview on old 4:3 sets, but you shouldn't with a widescreen.

Nigel Goodwin · 05-10-2013, 11:00

It sounds like you have the box set to the wrong aspect ratio in it's setup menus - what did you select when you installed it?, and what is your TV type?.

Doghouse Riley · 05-10-2013, 11:42

Does your TV have the facility to change the aspect ratio?

I sometimes have to change it from "auto" to other settings when watching some recordings on my Humax PVR

lombard · 05-10-2013, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TelevisionUser

Can you please tell us the make and model so that other people who've had the same box can share their experiences? It might also be helpful to know where you bought the box and what type of features you'd want in any replacement box, e.g. HD, IPTV, etc. Thanks.

Here it is: http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-free...eceiver-222772
All I was after was a box to watch TV with, since my old Freeview box/DVD recorder blew up a few days ago. My TV, despite supposedly being HD ready and digital, stopped being able to receive a few years ago, but that's another issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptybox

Is it a widescreen 16:9 TV?

You used to get these mismatches viewing Freeview on old 4:3 sets, but you shouldn't with a widescreen.

Yep. And it showed the images fine when played through the previous Freeview box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

It sounds like you have the box set to the wrong aspect ratio in it's setup menus - what did you select when you installed it?, and what is your TV type?.

It's a very basic set-up. You turn it on and the TV switches to Scart, then the only option is to select language and the press 'okay' to tune. There doesn't seem to be any further option on the remote.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

Does your TV have the facility to change the aspect ratio?

I sometimes have to change it from "auto" to other settings when watching some recordings on my Humax PVR

Yes, but when I change it on the TV it retains the cropped image shown through the box.

mac2708 · 05-10-2013, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by lombard

It's a very basic set-up. You turn it on and the TV switches to Scart, then the only option is to select language and the press 'okay' to tune. There doesn't seem to be any further option on the remote.

Yes, but when I change it on the TV it retains the cropped image shown through the box.

Aspect ratio output of the box can be changed
See page E-18 here
http://www.maplin.co.uk/media/pdfs/A...n%20manual.pdf

"• Aspect Ratio (Change between; 16:9 “Widescreen”, 4:3 Panscan, 4:3 LetterBox) "

The menu options available seem fairly comprehensive for such an inexpensive box

Nigel Goodwin · 05-10-2013, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by lombard

It's a very basic set-up. You turn it on and the TV switches to Scart, then the only option is to select language and the press 'okay' to tune. There doesn't seem to be any further option on the remote.

The setup options, as with all boxes, are on the setup or install menu - and will be explained in the instructions.

mac2708 · 05-10-2013, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

The setup options, as with all boxes, are on the setup or install menu - and will be explained in the instructions.

Has the OP actually bothered to RTFM

lombard · 05-10-2013, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac2708

Has the OP actually bothered to RTFM

Since there's NFM, that would be a no.

mac2708 · 05-10-2013, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by lombard

Since there's NFM, that would be a no.

There is a link (under Downloads) on the Maplin site(which you gave) for a manual which I posted in post 7

mac2708 · 07-10-2013, 22:22

Did you manage to sort it?

Winston_1 · 08-10-2013, 10:43

Looking at TFM it appears to be mis described. I don't believe it is a Freeview box at all but a generic DVB-T box. No MHEG as far as I can see.

05-10-2013, 00:10	#1
lombard Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3,139	New Freeview box chops off around 1/3 of image Hi. Is anyone familiar with this Freeview box issue? I got a new box today after my DVD recorder broke. Problem is, most channels have approximately 1/3 of the image cut off the left and right sides (BBC1 and Ch4 only cut around 1/20 off). The image that remains is slightly pixelated, as though it's being zoomed in on. When I use the box's remote to zoom out, it reveals the whole correct image, so I know that it is there (when using zoom, though, the image is surrounded by black on all sides, two zoom 'graphics' are visible and all other remote functions are disabled, so it's not really a practical alternative for watching TV with). The TV 'screen toggle' option doesn't correct things either, it only allows me to zoom in further or switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios (the 4:3 ratio doesn't incorporate the missing portion of the image). The images aren't altered when watching films through the box's USB port. So, does anyone know if there's any way of overcoming this problem? Is it a common thing with Freeview boxes? I may just return the box, but I wondered if there was a corrective I'd just not considered.

05-10-2013, 00:19	#2
TelevisionUser Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Storbritannia Posts: 28,930	Can you please tell us the make and model so that other people who've had the same box can share their experiences? It might also be helpful to know where you bought the box and what type of features you'd want in any replacement box, e.g. HD, IPTV, etc. Thanks.

05-10-2013, 01:09	#3
emptybox Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 11,995	Is it a widescreen 16:9 TV? You used to get these mismatches viewing Freeview on old 4:3 sets, but you shouldn't with a widescreen.

05-10-2013, 11:00	#4
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	It sounds like you have the box set to the wrong aspect ratio in it's setup menus - what did you select when you installed it?, and what is your TV type?.

05-10-2013, 11:42	#5
Doghouse Riley Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North-West England Posts: 25,875	Does your TV have the facility to change the aspect ratio? I sometimes have to change it from "auto" to other settings when watching some recordings on my Humax PVR

05-10-2013, 12:08	#6
lombard Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3,139	Quote: Originally Posted by TelevisionUser Can you please tell us the make and model so that other people who've had the same box can share their experiences? It might also be helpful to know where you bought the box and what type of features you'd want in any replacement box, e.g. HD, IPTV, etc. Thanks. Here it is: http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-free...eceiver-222772 All I was after was a box to watch TV with, since my old Freeview box/DVD recorder blew up a few days ago. My TV, despite supposedly being HD ready and digital, stopped being able to receive a few years ago, but that's another issue. Quote: Originally Posted by emptybox Is it a widescreen 16:9 TV? You used to get these mismatches viewing Freeview on old 4:3 sets, but you shouldn't with a widescreen. Yep. And it showed the images fine when played through the previous Freeview box. Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin It sounds like you have the box set to the wrong aspect ratio in it's setup menus - what did you select when you installed it?, and what is your TV type?. It's a very basic set-up. You turn it on and the TV switches to Scart, then the only option is to select language and the press 'okay' to tune. There doesn't seem to be any further option on the remote. Quote: Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley Does your TV have the facility to change the aspect ratio? I sometimes have to change it from "auto" to other settings when watching some recordings on my Humax PVR Yes, but when I change it on the TV it retains the cropped image shown through the box.

05-10-2013, 12:21	#7
mac2708 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,196	Quote: Originally Posted by lombard It's a very basic set-up. You turn it on and the TV switches to Scart, then the only option is to select language and the press 'okay' to tune. There doesn't seem to be any further option on the remote. Yes, but when I change it on the TV it retains the cropped image shown through the box. Aspect ratio output of the box can be changed See page E-18 here http://www.maplin.co.uk/media/pdfs/A...n%20manual.pdf "• Aspect Ratio (Change between; 16:9 “Widescreen”, 4:3 Panscan, 4:3 LetterBox) " The menu options available seem fairly comprehensive for such an inexpensive box

05-10-2013, 12:35	#8
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by lombard It's a very basic set-up. You turn it on and the TV switches to Scart, then the only option is to select language and the press 'okay' to tune. There doesn't seem to be any further option on the remote. The setup options, as with all boxes, are on the setup or install menu - and will be explained in the instructions.

05-10-2013, 12:38	#9
mac2708 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,196	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin The setup options, as with all boxes, are on the setup or install menu - and will be explained in the instructions. Has the OP actually bothered to RTFM

05-10-2013, 12:42	#10
lombard Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3,139	Quote: Originally Posted by mac2708 Has the OP actually bothered to RTFM Since there's NFM, that would be a no.

05-10-2013, 14:07	#11
mac2708 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,196	Quote: Originally Posted by lombard Since there's NFM, that would be a no. There is a link (under Downloads) on the Maplin site(which you gave) for a manual which I posted in post 7

07-10-2013, 22:22	#12
mac2708 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,196	Did you manage to sort it?

08-10-2013, 10:43	#13
Winston_1 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 5,008	Looking at TFM it appears to be mis described. I don't believe it is a Freeview box at all but a generic DVB-T box. No MHEG as far as I can see.

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New Freeview box chops off around 1/3 of image