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widescreen
lmf2
26-11-2006
Can someone please fill in a gap in my understanding - I have a widescreen TV and I believe that the BBC broadcasts most programmes in wide-screen format. Why then do I get a black line top and bottom if I watch BBC analogue channels (it's ok if I watch through freeview)?

Thanks
downthehatch
26-11-2006
Originally Posted by lmf2:
“Can someone please fill in a gap in my understanding - I have a widescreen TV and I believe that the BBC broadcasts most programmes in wide-screen format. Why then do I get a black line top and bottom if I watch BBC analogue channels (it's ok if I watch through freeview)?

Thanks”

Proper 16:9 broadcasts to fill your screen are only available on digital tv.

The analogue broadcasts are a compromised 14:9 ratio .
If they were completely 4:3 they would lose too much image from the sides.
If they were the 16:9 ratio you would have larger borders top and bottom.

If you have digital tv you should not be watching analogue at all,especially on a widescreen tv
lmf2
29-11-2006
Thanks, that's useful. I only really use analogue to record from as I'm having problems with my freeview box rebooting - which is a real pain if it does so in the middle of something being recorded. Still waiting for recommendations for a reliable freeview box.

Thanks for the info, though, as at least I now understand that bit!
bobcar
30-11-2006
As downthehatch said but I would just add the following.

When the analogue transmission has bars top and bottom then your TV needs to be set in 14:9 mode, this will leave small bars on the side.

Your TV really should be set to 4:3 for other analogue transmissions, if you have it in this mode (possibly auto) it will switch automatically to widescreen for a widescreen transmission from the freeview.

When you get a new freeview box then if you can afford it I would highly recomment a PVR rather than a plain box, it'll really make everything a lot easier.
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