Freeview 'postage stamp' question.

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Freeview 'postage stamp' question.

da5id

550 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 65
Inactive user

#15542 28-Aug-2007 09:23

Got a question about Freeview.
My folks have had a satellite receiver for a while to pick up some of the free broadcasts from overseas (the Dutch station etc).
They could also get TV1, TV2, and Maori TV through the satellite very clearly.
The install guy came last week to fix something and tuned in TV3 and C4 - the Freeview stations.

The only thing is, is that TV3 and C4 have the 'postage stamp' look (black lines on top, bottom, and sides) and the picture looks 'over sharpened' to me, eg, the edges have a kind of sharp 'stepping' look.

Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

My folks have an old Philips 'Matchline' TV (4:3 size)

allstarnz

1720 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 24

Trusted

#84069 28-Aug-2007 09:40

TV3 and C4 broadcast in widescreen. So any 4:3 content will appear postage stamped.

You should be able to change the settings on the set top box to 'centre cut' or something if you want get rid of the side bars. The only thing then is it won't show the 'side bits' if the channel is showing widescreen content (eg 3 News)

This will soon be the case for TVNZ too, they're moving there programming to widescreen on Freeview

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 379

ID Verified

Trusted

#84072 28-Aug-2007 10:09

Expect to see this happening for some time yet as the changeover happens. Any old content (ie: The Simpsons etc) will display in 'postage stamp' but as time passes the majority of programming will be in 16:9.

It's all about the transition period :)

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

da5id

550 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 65
Inactive user

#84103 28-Aug-2007 14:11

Thanks :)

I've not seen anyone else's Freeview to be able to compare, but the picture 'oversharpening' must also be an effect of the picture being 'shrunk' to fit the constraints of 4:3?