Challenge TV in 4:3 not 16:9

[pug1964]

Have noticed recently that for some reason Challenge TV is broadcast via satellite in 4:3 although the content was recorded in 16:9. Not all programs but the chase earlier was 4:3 transmission.

Anybody know why?

[LGUser]

---

@pug1964 wrote:

Have noticed recently that for some reason Challenge TV is broadcast via satellite in 4:3 although the content was recorded in 16:9. Not all programs but the chase earlier was 4:3 transmission.

Anybody know why?

---

What resolution is the box set to? Is it 16:9 squished down to 4:3? Is it originally in 16:9 and cut at the sides to be 4:3?

[pug1964]

Sqished down 16:9 with people with long faces. Happening now on Challenge with Bullseye.

Tried on 3 diferent systems. Freesat box, fta box and a Lynux box. All the same result. 

Interesting to note the aspect changes during adverts, but is still not correct.

[LGUser]

---

@pug1964 wrote:

Sqished down 16:9 with people with long faces. Happening now on Challenge with Bullseye.

Tried on 3 diferent systems. Freesat box, fta box and a Lynux box. All the same result. 

Interesting to note the aspect changes during adverts, but is still not correct.

---

You have two options to view Challenge TV in the correct 4:3 aspect ratio. You can set the resolution of your Sky box to 540p or you can set the TV to 4:3. I would do 4:3 on the TV.

[pug1964]

That´s not the point.

The program is made in 16:9 but appears to be being transmitted with a 4:3 coding which is causing it to display incorrectly on the screen. The Lynux box can resolve it using the just scale option which correctly returns the image to 16:9. My Freesat box or the fta box don´t have that option. 

Changing the TV to 4:3 just makes the whole lot smaller.

I´ll dig ouy an old Sky HD+ box I have to see how it displays the signal. Will also plug a feed directly into the TV satellite input to see how it resolves the image.

[LGUser]

@pug1964  I'll set a recording for The Chase on Challange TV and then when I get a chance to have a look, I'llsee if I can figure out what may be going on.

I'md ownloading season 10 episode 1 and recording part of season 10 episode 19.

[pug1964]

@LGUser  Thanks for that.

I suspect if you are a Q user, it won´t appear to be an unusual display. 

I suspect it may only be evident on older style equipment. I run an IPTV system app for viewing some channels on a FireTV stick. The older 2nd gen has the issue even via the IPTV system, but the new 4k stick resolves the picture to how it should be. Will advise what the old Sky+ HD box shows when I get it out of the shed!

It´s interesting but probably doesn´t effect many people, but I hate not knowing why!

[LGUser]

@pug1964  I had a look at the two episodes of The Chase and they were properly shows at 16:9. WHatever you are using to view the show is wha's causing the problem.

[pug1964]

@LGUser , don´t disagree with you, however, I scanned a very modern JVC TV today, it had the same problem. Going to scan my Samsung series 6 in a short while to see how it decodes the transmission.

What are you using to check it?

My old Sky+ box won´t load at the moment, can steal the neighbours box tomorrow when they go away for a couple of days. I have the keys!

[LGUser]

@pug1964  I'm using Sky Q and an LG OLED C1. It's also fine on the other TV that's an LG 4k LCD TV from 2018.

What is it you are using to broadcast The Chase?

[pug1964]

@LGUser I´m using various devices to read the transmission from the satellite. 

My Samsung series 6 can read the transmission and set it to 16:9. However, my Freesat box incorrectly reads it and puts it in a 4:3 pillar configuration. The Enigma 2 box was able to correct the image this morning, but since they changed the transmission flag from 4:3 this morning to 16:9 this afternoon, it is having problems. The program is in 4:3 pillar box mode, the adverts in 16:9.

Had to phone a friend who writes blind scan software for satellite receivers and with his latest toys he was able to confirm what I was seeing.

More advanced devices can ignore the transmission flag and decode the correct aspect from the video stream istself. 

Apparently, Challenge TV is owned by Sky which is a division of Comcast based in Philadelphia USA. I´m not sure who to report the issue to. Sky, Comcast or Astra SES .

Perhaps an Oracle @Annie+UK could advise if Mark ( John Snow ) could ask who I should contact?

[Annie+UK]

You could try emailing viewerR@sky.uk (Viewer Relations Team)

[pug1964]

@Annie+UK  Thanks, I´ll try that first. Is Mark still about? Not been on the forum for a long time.

[pug1964]

Forgot to add, it´s the only channel I´ve noticed the problem on. Some of the others that show older programs appear to switch from 4:3 to 16:9 correctly

[pug1964]

@Annie+UK 

Have sent an email as advised. 

Thanks for the contact