topic Re: Aspect ratio in Sky Q

Aspect ratio

Robh321 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:24:45 GMT

When using my Sky Q box to watch live shows on Gold they show in their original 80's/90's ratio of 4:3, but when I record the show or download it, they get stretched to widescreen, which is really annoying. I've checked my TV and it is set to not automatically adjust the ratio, so I'm assuming it must be an issue with the Sky box defaulting to a stretched ratio. Can this be fixed?

Re: Aspect ratio

oldfella — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:33:53 GMT

@Robh321 wrote:

When using my Sky Q box to watch live shows on Gold they show in their original 80's/90's ratio of 4:3, but when I record the show or download it, they get stretched to widescreen, which is really annoying. I've checked my TV and it is set to not automatically adjust the ratio, so I'm assuming it must be an issue with the Sky box defaulting to a stretched ratio. Can this be fixed?

Hi @Robh321

Normally on the HD channels they are shown in the correct ratio by adding the side bars.

However any shown on the SD format will be automatically stretched unless you change the Q resolution to SD .

Re: Aspect ratio

Robh321 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:39:45 GMT

Hi @oldfella. That would make sense as I have my recordings defaulted to SD. I'll check if setting it to HD fixes the problem. It doesn't explain why the SD version defaults to being stretched though, could Sky not set that to retain the black bars?

Re: Aspect ratio

Robh321 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:52:02 GMT

I dont have the HD package, so everything I watch and record/download on GOLD is in SD.

Re: Aspect ratio

oldfella — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:17:56 GMT

@Robh321 wrote:

Hi @oldfella. That would make sense as I have my recordings defaulted to SD. I'll check if setting it to HD fixes the problem. It doesn't explain why the SD version defaults to being stretched though, could Sky not set that to retain the black bars?

Hi @Robh321

Sky has no control of the format as this is set by the program presenters.

They add the Black bars to keep the original format if it is originally SD content presented in HD.

If you want the SD broadcast content not to be stretched then you have to change the Q box resolution. You will then find all HD content distorted.

Re: Aspect ratio

Peter+Niss — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:54:55 GMT

I have an example that may help to understand this aspect ratio issue.
I downloaded the first series of "Knowing Me, Knowing You...." which should be seen 4:3.
The only was to get 4:3 was to change resolution down to 576p.
Any other resolutions stretched the image to 16:9.

Re: Aspect ratio

MightyQuinn — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:19:34 GMT

@Peter+Niss wrote:
I have an example that may help to understand this aspect ratio issue.
I downloaded the first series of "Knowing Me, Knowing You...." which should be seen 4:3.
The only was to get 4:3 was to change resolution down to 576p.
Any other resolutions stretched the image to 16:9.

Hi @Peter+Niss The only aspect ratio control, is performed by your TV. The Sky box does not have any aspect radio settings. Some TV's aspect control is dependent on the input format, as in your case 576p. You need to change your TV aspect ratio to Full or Normal ( or whatever your TV setting is to say don't distort the picture).