aspect problems/possibly replacing sky digi box
 

I recently had the movie channels turned on and today realised there
seems to be a problem with the aspect ratio which was not there last
time we got them, the movies showing in widescreen are not
automatically dropped to 4.3 but kept in full widescreen, hence the
left of the picture disappears off screen. I can force the box to show
it in true letterbox, by going into services and choosing 4.3L but
never had to do this before. I spent a long time on the phone today
and all they could offer is it's probably my telly and they would
charge me at least =A369 for a techy to look at the box.

Two things... I have another box a friend gave me when they shut off
their account, if i wanted to use this would I just be able to swap
them over or would I have to notify sky and go through another hour on
the bloody phone to their awful services or would it just be a
straight swap over?
Secondly the only thing I can think of as a cause for the problem is a
recent purchase of one of those scart boxes with four or five switched
sockets. Is it possible that this is causing the aspect ratio problem?
-- =

Paul (Demanding Billy Dolls, And other friends of mine)
------------------------------------------------------
Stop and Look
http://www.geocities.com/dreamst8me/

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 21:26:19 GMT, Paul Heslop
wrote:

I recently had the movie channels turned on and today realised there
seems to be a problem with the aspect ratio which was not there last
time we got them, the movies showing in widescreen are not
automatically dropped to 4.3 but kept in full widescreen, hence the
left of the picture disappears off screen. I can force the box to show
it in true letterbox, by going into services and choosing 4.3L but
never had to do this before.

Are you sure that the movie is not being shown in
wider-than-widescreen - e.g. the original 21:9 Cinemascope format, or
similar? If your box is set to 4:3 centre cutout you'll still have
letterbox bars at the top and bottom of your screen, and in 4:3L the
bars will be deeper still.

Two things... I have another box a friend gave me when they shut off
their account, if i wanted to use this would I just be able to swap
them over or would I have to notify sky and go through another hour on
the bloody phone to their awful services or would it just be a
straight swap over?

The card should work in the other box but you'll need to phone Sky to
get them to pair the card to your new box if you want to watch the
premium (movie) channels, for example.

Secondly the only thing I can think of as a cause for the problem is a
recent purchase of one of those scart boxes with four or five switched
sockets. Is it possible that this is causing the aspect ratio problem?

Try connecting the digibox directly to your TV. If the problem goes
away, your question is answered.

Zero Tolerance wrote:

On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 21:26:19 GMT, Paul Heslop
wrote:

I recently had the movie channels turned on and today realised there
seems to be a problem with the aspect ratio which was not there last
time we got them, the movies showing in widescreen are not
automatically dropped to 4.3 but kept in full widescreen, hence the
left of the picture disappears off screen. I can force the box to show
it in true letterbox, by going into services and choosing 4.3L but
never had to do this before.

Are you sure that the movie is not being shown in
wider-than-widescreen - e.g. the original 21:9 Cinemascope format, or
similar? If your box is set to 4:3 centre cutout you'll still have
letterbox bars at the top and bottom of your screen, and in 4:3L the
bars will be deeper still.

There were no bars before i changed the setting, which was why I was
thrown. Picture looked fine, then I realised something was happening
offscreen to the left. Only when I went 4.3L did the whole picture
become visible with black bars

Two things... I have another box a friend gave me when they shut off
their account, if i wanted to use this would I just be able to swap
them over or would I have to notify sky and go through another hour on
the bloody phone to their awful services or would it just be a
straight swap over?

The card should work in the other box but you'll need to phone Sky to
get them to pair the card to your new box if you want to watch the
premium (movie) channels, for example.

Thanks... as long as they don't charge me an arm and a leg for the
pleasure

Secondly the only thing I can think of as a cause for the problem is a
recent purchase of one of those scart boxes with four or five switched
sockets. Is it possible that this is causing the aspect ratio problem?

Try connecting the digibox directly to your TV. If the problem goes
away, your question is answered.

good idea... I'm way too annoyed atm, but I will try


--
Paul (Demanding Billy Dolls, And other friends of mine)
------------------------------------------------------
Stop and Look
http://www.geocities.com/dreamst8me/

Paul Heslop wrote:

I have another box a friend gave me when they shut off
their account, if i wanted to use this would I just be able to swap
them over or would I have to notify sky and go through another hour on
the bloody phone to their awful services or would it just be a
straight swap over?

You will need to ring Sky for the premium channels. It doesn't take
long.


Secondly the only thing I can think of as a cause for the problem is a
recent purchase of one of those scart boxes with four or five switched
sockets. Is it possible that this is causing the aspect ratio problem?

If it was a cheap switcher, yes indeed. You get what you pay for with
these things.

The correct digibox setting for a 4:3 TV is 4:3L. Set it and leave it.
Switching will be automatic and occurs entirely within the digibox.
Your scart switcher will not affect this.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/6u4p9
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

Jomtien wrote:

Paul Heslop wrote:

I have another box a friend gave me when they shut off
their account, if i wanted to use this would I just be able to swap
them over or would I have to notify sky and go through another hour on
the bloody phone to their awful services or would it just be a
straight swap over?

You will need to ring Sky for the premium channels. It doesn't take
long.

Secondly the only thing I can think of as a cause for the problem is a
recent purchase of one of those scart boxes with four or five switched
sockets. Is it possible that this is causing the aspect ratio problem?

If it was a cheap switcher, yes indeed. You get what you pay for with
these things.

The correct digibox setting for a 4:3 TV is 4:3L. Set it and leave it.
Switching will be automatic and occurs entirely within the digibox.
Your scart switcher will not affect this.

Thanks, you've been a great help :O)


--
Paul (Demanding Billy Dolls, And other friends of mine)
------------------------------------------------------
Stop and Look
http://www.geocities.com/dreamst8me/