TV picture keeps resizing

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 13:20

I have a Sony FS70 which offers the following aspect ratios: 16:9, Zoom, 14:9, 4:3 and Smart.

When watching TV (DVD seems to be OK), whether I set it to autodetect the correct aspect ratio or not, it keeps flicking between different options, eg from 14:9 to Zoom and back again.

Sometimes 14:9 produces the 2 bars down left and right whilst giving a full height picture (which it should), other times it will add bars top and bottom as well, meaning the overall picture size is reduced. Sometimes the whole picture will then move up the screen leaving no bar at the top but a very thick bar at the bottom. I have similar problems if I use Zoom or Smart settings. 4:3 seems to be OK.

Are these faults of the TV or just something I must live with if I want anything other than 4:3 (which seems to work OK)? I'm new to widescreen so have no experience of this.

Widdy · 13-02-2003, 13:28

Sounds like you tv could be faulty. It might be worth getting an engineer out to look at it (usually free if still under warranty), but if you tell us what you have connected we might be able to supply a quick fix to any possible problems.

What equipment makes and models do you have connected this will help diagnose a problem.

1. Do you have Sky, cable, freeview?
2. What make of DVD player do you have?
3. Anything else connected to the tv?

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 13:49

I have one or two things connected...

NTL digital cable 1010 box
Sony HTSL5a home cinema
Philips 890 DVDR
VCR
Tivo

I watch 99% of my TV via Tivo (ie from a recording) so this is where I am seeing the problems, although for all I know they would also occur when watching live.

I have not watched many DVD's yet, but have not noticed any problems when I do. I find the problem irritating but tolerable, but my wife is being driven crazy and is questioning my judgement about buying the TV, so I have to find a solution if only to prove her wrong.

Any help welcomed

couleddie · 13-02-2003, 13:50

My Philips TV picture resizes but that's because I have it set on Auto. This could be the problem on your Sony. TVs are so damn complicated these days.
Your problem doesn't sound like a fault to me. Just something to do with your settings perhaps.

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 13:54

I think I have tried it with Auto both on and off, because I thought that must be the problem, but I will check again.

Widdy · 13-02-2003, 15:51

Have you checked your Tivo is st up correctly to work with a w/s tv?

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 16:00

not sure there is such an option, but I will check - thanks

davep · 13-02-2003, 16:06

I have 36FS70 and you have to turn the Auto off in two places!

It's a while since I did it but I think one is in the AV settings.

LMK if you can't find it, I'll have a look at the menus to see if I can figure it out again!

DaveP

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 16:35

Thanks davep

Just so I know, do you never experience this phenomenon? ie if I select the correct options I should have no unwanted switching?

If I do want auto switching (which sounds good if it works), should I expect this kind of unexpected switching back and forth as the price of convenience, or does this imply my auto switching is not working correctly?

davep · 13-02-2003, 16:45

I had this problem when playing 2.35:1 DVDs It kept trying to fit it to the screen!

I rang the dealer and he told me which bit to turn off. But, you do loose the auto zoom feature, say from 14:9 to 16:9 or 16:9 letterbox to full screen.

W/S Switching still works so I'm happy with that.

To be honest I don't like seeing people stretched sideways!

DaveP

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 16:59

davep - I will check my settings tonight, but as I have already done this before I am not hopeful of finding the correct bit, so I would be grateful if you would let me know what changes you had to make. My wife will be eternally grateful to you

thanks

Doctorb · 13-02-2003, 18:56

Before switching the auto format off,check that your digibox aspect format is selected to 16:9 (in tv setup menu).About 70% of houses i go to have the digibox set to 4:3...while your at it check your dvd settings as well. If terrestrial broadcasts auto-formatting are playing up,tv may be at fault.

monkeysoup · 13-02-2003, 21:33

First make sure DVD player/SKY box etc are set to 16:9 mode. If anamorphic DVDs autoswitch/zoom your DVD player is setup wrongly.

Autoswitching does two things: firstly it switches between 16:9 (anamorphic) and 4:3 broadcasts. This should be obvious - find 16:9 and 4:3 sources (suggest a DVD extras disc - bound to be 16:9 menus leading to 4:3 content). Secondly, autoswitching should also zoom 4:3 broadcasts where necessary (for 14:9 and 16:9 letterbox), but as it works on the principle of "no movement at top of screen = letterbox" then it's bound to get things wrong, and with clean DVD/digital TV pictures there's more chance of, say, a static interview being zoomed. I find my panasonic a bit eager to switch, and sometimes have to go to 4:3 when watching extras...

BBWatcher · 13-02-2003, 22:52

First, thanks for all suggestions.

I have checked my TV menu and although I thought I had autoformating turned off, I hadn't.

I had Auto Format set to Normal (instead of Off or Full) and Format Correction set to Off (instead of On). I now have Auto Format set to Off, so let's see what happens.

I am surprised Auto Formatting seemed so erratic - is that normal?

Thanks again

davep · 14-02-2003, 09:26

It looks like you don't need my help anymore but for reference:

Go into the SETUP Menu and then AV Preset.. You can then set specific AV inputs to have the Auto Format on or off, if you are using AV1 only then set this to off.

Now select the FEATURES Menu and from there you can set Auto Format to off as well.

Hope this helps someone.

DaveP

BBWatcher · 14-02-2003, 09:34

Quote:

Originally posted by davep

Go into the SETUP Menu and then AV Preset.. You can then set specific AV inputs to have the Auto Format on or off, if you are using AV1 only then set this to off.

I didn't spot this bit - I'll check it out tonight.

Thanks again

BBWatcher · 17-02-2003, 09:16

Thanks davep, that was it.

It was in the AV settings. AV1 (which I use when viewing via Tivo) was set to Full autoformat.

I've now set it to Normal autoformat (same as the other AV inputs) and it seems to be OK.

Seems strange to have to make this correction in 2 separate parts of the menu system, but there you go.

Thanks again

davep · 17-02-2003, 14:22

I'm glad it's all sorted now. I can only assume that there could be a case for having auto format on the analogue channels so that you get the 14:9 pictures stretched automatically but, personally, I'd prefer to be able to have this feature turned off for digital sources which, in the main, should be wide screen anyway.

DaveP

iain · 17-02-2003, 14:36

hi,

i had this problem with my sony when i first had it.

as you've probably discovered by now, the auto format should be switched off. i think if you have your STB set to 16:9, it should auto detect 16:9 broadcasts and change the screen accordingly.

similarly, the *sharpness* control should be turned off, or at its lowest setting, in order to get the sharpest picture...

Iain

13-02-2003, 13:20	#1
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	TV picture keeps resizing I have a Sony FS70 which offers the following aspect ratios: 16:9, Zoom, 14:9, 4:3 and Smart. When watching TV (DVD seems to be OK), whether I set it to autodetect the correct aspect ratio or not, it keeps flicking between different options, eg from 14:9 to Zoom and back again. Sometimes 14:9 produces the 2 bars down left and right whilst giving a full height picture (which it should), other times it will add bars top and bottom as well, meaning the overall picture size is reduced. Sometimes the whole picture will then move up the screen leaving no bar at the top but a very thick bar at the bottom. I have similar problems if I use Zoom or Smart settings. 4:3 seems to be OK. Are these faults of the TV or just something I must live with if I want anything other than 4:3 (which seems to work OK)? I'm new to widescreen so have no experience of this.

13-02-2003, 13:28	#2
Widdy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,955	Sounds like you tv could be faulty. It might be worth getting an engineer out to look at it (usually free if still under warranty), but if you tell us what you have connected we might be able to supply a quick fix to any possible problems. What equipment makes and models do you have connected this will help diagnose a problem. 1. Do you have Sky, cable, freeview? 2. What make of DVD player do you have? 3. Anything else connected to the tv?

13-02-2003, 13:49	#3
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	I have one or two things connected... NTL digital cable 1010 box Sony HTSL5a home cinema Philips 890 DVDR VCR Tivo I watch 99% of my TV via Tivo (ie from a recording) so this is where I am seeing the problems, although for all I know they would also occur when watching live. I have not watched many DVD's yet, but have not noticed any problems when I do. I find the problem irritating but tolerable, but my wife is being driven crazy and is questioning my judgement about buying the TV, so I have to find a solution if only to prove her wrong. Any help welcomed

13-02-2003, 13:50	#4
couleddie Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 641	My Philips TV picture resizes but that's because I have it set on Auto. This could be the problem on your Sony. TVs are so damn complicated these days. Your problem doesn't sound like a fault to me. Just something to do with your settings perhaps.

13-02-2003, 13:54	#5
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	I think I have tried it with Auto both on and off, because I thought that must be the problem, but I will check again.

13-02-2003, 15:51	#6
Widdy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,955	Have you checked your Tivo is st up correctly to work with a w/s tv?

13-02-2003, 16:00	#7
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	not sure there is such an option, but I will check - thanks

13-02-2003, 16:06	#8
davep Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,107	I have 36FS70 and you have to turn the Auto off in two places! It's a while since I did it but I think one is in the AV settings. LMK if you can't find it, I'll have a look at the menus to see if I can figure it out again! DaveP

13-02-2003, 16:35	#9
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	Thanks davep Just so I know, do you never experience this phenomenon? ie if I select the correct options I should have no unwanted switching? If I do want auto switching (which sounds good if it works), should I expect this kind of unexpected switching back and forth as the price of convenience, or does this imply my auto switching is not working correctly?

13-02-2003, 16:45	#10
davep Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,107	I had this problem when playing 2.35:1 DVDs It kept trying to fit it to the screen! I rang the dealer and he told me which bit to turn off. But, you do loose the auto zoom feature, say from 14:9 to 16:9 or 16:9 letterbox to full screen. W/S Switching still works so I'm happy with that. To be honest I don't like seeing people stretched sideways! DaveP

13-02-2003, 16:59	#11
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	davep - I will check my settings tonight, but as I have already done this before I am not hopeful of finding the correct bit, so I would be grateful if you would let me know what changes you had to make. My wife will be eternally grateful to you thanks

13-02-2003, 18:56	#12
Doctorb Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,232	Before switching the auto format off,check that your digibox aspect format is selected to 16:9 (in tv setup menu).About 70% of houses i go to have the digibox set to 4:3...while your at it check your dvd settings as well. If terrestrial broadcasts auto-formatting are playing up,tv may be at fault.

13-02-2003, 21:33	#13
monkeysoup Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 550	First make sure DVD player/SKY box etc are set to 16:9 mode. If anamorphic DVDs autoswitch/zoom your DVD player is setup wrongly. Autoswitching does two things: firstly it switches between 16:9 (anamorphic) and 4:3 broadcasts. This should be obvious - find 16:9 and 4:3 sources (suggest a DVD extras disc - bound to be 16:9 menus leading to 4:3 content). Secondly, autoswitching should also zoom 4:3 broadcasts where necessary (for 14:9 and 16:9 letterbox), but as it works on the principle of "no movement at top of screen = letterbox" then it's bound to get things wrong, and with clean DVD/digital TV pictures there's more chance of, say, a static interview being zoomed. I find my panasonic a bit eager to switch, and sometimes have to go to 4:3 when watching extras...

13-02-2003, 22:52	#14
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	First, thanks for all suggestions. I have checked my TV menu and although I thought I had autoformating turned off, I hadn't. I had Auto Format set to Normal (instead of Off or Full) and Format Correction set to Off (instead of On). I now have Auto Format set to Off, so let's see what happens. I am surprised Auto Formatting seemed so erratic - is that normal? Thanks again

14-02-2003, 09:26	#15
davep Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,107	It looks like you don't need my help anymore but for reference: Go into the SETUP Menu and then AV Preset.. You can then set specific AV inputs to have the Auto Format on or off, if you are using AV1 only then set this to off. Now select the FEATURES Menu and from there you can set Auto Format to off as well. Hope this helps someone. DaveP

14-02-2003, 09:34	#16
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	Quote: Originally posted by davep Go into the SETUP Menu and then AV Preset.. You can then set specific AV inputs to have the Auto Format on or off, if you are using AV1 only then set this to off. I didn't spot this bit - I'll check it out tonight. Thanks again

17-02-2003, 09:16	#17
BBWatcher Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 39	Thanks davep, that was it. It was in the AV settings. AV1 (which I use when viewing via Tivo) was set to Full autoformat. I've now set it to Normal autoformat (same as the other AV inputs) and it seems to be OK. Seems strange to have to make this correction in 2 separate parts of the menu system, but there you go. Thanks again

17-02-2003, 14:22	#18
davep Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,107	I'm glad it's all sorted now. I can only assume that there could be a case for having auto format on the analogue channels so that you get the 14:9 pictures stretched automatically but, personally, I'd prefer to be able to have this feature turned off for digital sources which, in the main, should be wide screen anyway. DaveP

17-02-2003, 14:36	#19
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	hi, i had this problem with my sony when i first had it. as you've probably discovered by now, the auto format should be switched off. i think if you have your STB set to 16:9, it should auto detect 16:9 broadcasts and change the screen accordingly. similarly, the sharpness control should be turned off, or at its lowest setting, in order to get the sharpest picture... Iain

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TV picture keeps resizing