Widescreen (16:9) via Composite?

[Rob van der Does]

I can't. But I can't reproduce the problem here either.

 

[Timbo]

I can't. But I can't reproduce the problem here either.

At least you are trying to help me - thank mate.

 

[Timbo]

OK Guys,

I have figured it out and it was the TV setting "ORIGINAL"

http://www.world-of-satellite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48217&d=1463646306

that was causing the problem with the Solo2 - However, I have it on ORIGINAL for the Sky+HD box and that switches between 4:3 and 16:9 mode in ORIGINAL. Me changing it to 16:9 on each TV around the house sorted the issue.

I always thought that "ORIGINAL" (instead of hard setting it to 16:9) would select the screen size based on the output of the video cable - and with the Solo2 box supporting Line 23 WSS flags that the "Original" signal would be either 4:3 or 16:9 and the TV could switch as necessary (exactly as the Sky+HD box seemingly does)

The only thing I can think of is that the Sky+HD box has a setting (Settings / Picture) called "SCART / RF1 Picture Format" which is set to 16:9. Maybe that makes the TV's see the ORIGINAL output as 16:9 and me setting the TVs to 16:9 means the Solo2 box doesn't have to do that?

Anyway, It's sorted now, there isn't an issue / fault with the Solo2 - it just outputs differently via SCART / Composite compared to the Sky+HD box.

Thank you to everyone who spared their time to be involved in this thread and for your ideas and suggestions.

 

[Joe_90]

I suggested you change your TV setting from "original" to "full wide" (as per my Sony) back in post #35. Different settings for different inputs and all that.... In any case you have finally cracked it :thumbsup:

 

[Timbo]

I suggested you change your TV setting from "original" to "full wide" (as per my Sony) back in post #35. Different settings for different inputs and all that.... In any case you have finally cracked it :thumbsup:

indeed you did, but I have never needed to do that before, even with the duo that the solo2 replaced. Which is why I was convinced that wasn't the issue.

you live and learn I guess.

Next question: Is there any way of getting a 1280 x 720 image to display full screen on a 576i display via a Solo2 box? zoom out plugin or something? I have an IP camera and the output is getting cropped via non-HD methods. Displays fine via HDMI on screens that support "just scan" / "overscan off"

 

[Rob van der Does]

AFAIK all TV's use 'overscan' on all analogue inputs, without the option to disable that.
What you can do is to use an A/V-amplifier; connect the analogue video connection to the amp, and use an HDMI-lead to the TV. Now you can disable overscan on that HDMI-input.

 

[Timbo]

AFAIK all TV's use 'overscan' on all analogue inputs, without the option to disable that.
What you can do is to use an A/V-amplifier; connect the analogue video connection to the amp, and use an HDMI-lead to the TV. Now you can disable overscan on that HDMI-input.

I was hoping there was something on the Solo2 box that would just do it - Auto Resolution in A/V Settings only seems to cover 720p resolutions and above.. I don't really want to add any extra hardware in each location but thank you for the idea.

 

[Rob van der Does]

It's the TV to blame.

Anyway: isn't it about time to leave the horrible composite video quality (or better lack of quality) aside in these HD-days, and transport HD throughout the house? A whole different world of options (and quality). A LAN-connection and a9n old, tuner may even be defect) E2 box will do the trick.

 

[Timbo]

It's the TV to blame.

Anyway: isn't it about time to leave the horrible composite video quality (or better lack of quality) aside in these HD-days, and transport HD throughout the house? A whole different world of options (and quality). A LAN-connection and a9n old, tuner may even be defect) E2 box will do the trick.

I agree totally, and I already do distribute the HD signal to certain TV's via Cat5e cables and a HDMI Matrix. This thread is about the TV's in my house which do not have these HDMI baluns as the Matrix is only a 4x4 (4 Sources, 4 Displays) and for these TV's not getting the HD signal I use a coax distribution system with RF Modulators. (Hence the issues (now resolved) highlighted above)

Each TV is situated / mounted where there is Coax and Cat5e structured cabling, I just cannot justify getting a bigger matrix (4x8 or 8x8) due to the costs involved - that and having a HD signal on the TV's that are 24" and smaller is not really necessary for the length of time spent viewing those TVs.

Thanks again.

 

[darrenlee]

Help needed

Hi there, I have an xtrend7500 and it outputs via hdmi to the main tv but i also use the phono outs to connect to an rf modulator to connect a coax feed to the tv in the kitchen. now the picture thru hdmi is as fine showing full picture but for some reason thru the phono outs, on the screen in the kitchen connected by coax it outputs the epg screen with the picture box in the top right corner shoeing the channel which on the main tv is full picture. If anyone can help me it would be appreciated

 

[Rob van der Does]

That seems to be correct then.
The TV that's fed via HDMI can be set (and probably has been set) to no overscan; the result should be a correct picture.
All other inputs on any TV, in your case the kitchen TV, can never be set to use no overscan. This means that all OSD will seem to be 'too large'.

There is a work-around for this, albeit not a nice one: set your main TV to use overscan, and adjust the OSD-size of the STB accordingly. Now the picture in the kitchen will be better, but probably not good (as overscan on analogue inputs is always a bit more then on digital inputs).

 

[techygirl]

Hi there, I have an xtrend7500 and it outputs via hdmi to the main tv but i also use the phono outs to connect to an rf modulator to connect a coax feed to the tv in the kitchen. now the picture thru hdmi is as fine showing full picture but for some reason thru the phono outs, on the screen in the kitchen connected by coax it outputs the epg screen with the picture box in the top right corner shoeing the channel which on the main tv is full picture. If anyone can help me it would be appreciated

I have the same setup on my ET8500 to feed the tv in the kitchen. I set the front display settings to 'clone TV screen to LCD'. This works ok.

 

[Rob van der Does]

???? This is not about the front display.

 

[techygirl]

For some reason the TV (in the kitchen) connected through the phono outs and RF modulator, does not transmit what is on the main TV (connected via HDMI). As a work around I set the front display settings to 'clone TV screen to LCD' yes. If it is set to no then it shows an enlarged version of the picon and channel info and you cannot see the picture although you do get sound.