Default Aspect Ratio

[DragonQ]

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I don't understand why the default aspect ratio is some weird figure that's never used by anything (it's slightly wider than 16:9 apparently) and thus has to be changed every time you load a new channel.

The best thing to do would be automatic aspect ratio switching between 4:3 and 16:9 depending on the content, like most Freeview boxes do. Presumably there's a tag in the video stream somewhere that tells these boxes which aspect ratio to use so surely it would be possible to tap into that?

If this isn't possible then it makes more sense to make 16:9 the default, considering all new programming has been in this aspect ratio for years. Better having to switch to 4:3 manually sometimes than having to switch to 16:9 or 4:3 every time you load a channel.


Thanks.

[TVC_H4U]

Hello,

I never change the aspect ratio, it looks fine for me every time I load a channel. As long as its not Dave, which on old programmes uses a smaller aspect ratio.

I like your suggestion though of automatic aspect ratio, but the ratio changes from programme to programme, and advert to advert. Would be a lot of flicking around?

[DragonQ]

Load a channel and then click the 16:9 button. You'll should see the video get slightly thinner. The default aspect ratio is in fact just "stretch to fill" (going full screen proves this) and happens to be close to 16:9 in the normal video window - not quite, though. "Stretch to fill" shouldn't be the default option for anything - it looks unprofessional if nothing else. 16:9 by default would be better if the automatic change option is not possible.

As for the flicking around, it'd be less than you think. 99% of programmes on the main channels will be 16:9. All adverts (apart from the occasional American one) are 16:9. The only time the aspect ratio would have to change often at all is on channels that show old 4:3 stuff, like Dave, ITV3, etc. However, even then you're only looking at a change every 12 minutes at the most, which isn't a burden on anything if it's done automatically.

[ksurtees]

Correct me if im wrong, but isnt the aspect ratio for computer screens 16:10?

I usually plug my laptop into my Samsung Syncmaster t220, and it doesnt look right at 16:9, it has to be 16:10 (because the TV is strictly speaking a computer monitor with built in freeview, and so has a 1050 rather than 1080 output)

Kris

[DragonQ]

The aspect ratio button controls the video's aspect ratio, not your screen's. It doesn't matter if you have a 16:10 monitor (like me), if the source is 16:9, the setting on the player should be 16:9. You'll get thin black bars and the top & bottom because obviously 16:9 is a bit wider than 16:10.

EDIT: Here's an example comparison. The first screenshot is when using the default option (fill to screen) in full-screen mode (in this case, the same as 16:10). It's been scaled down of course:



Everything is too thin. The thin black bars at the side are part of the video and are a result of TVCatchup's lack of overscan (a whole other topic, let's not get into it). Here's another screenshot in with the aspect ratio set to 16:9 (in full-screen mode and resized again):



There are black bars at the top & bottom due to the monitor being taller than the video but everything is the correct aspect ratio. This is what the default setting should be for 16:9 video.

These are just two random shots I took just now, not necessarily the best comparison examples.

[TVC_James]

one thing worth noting is that most freeview/freesat/sky boxes trim parts of the video off (a few pixels around the edge). We do not do this so this could be affecting the aspect ratio slightly

[timraw]

Love how GMTV show god awful graphics to fill the screen when they do live feeds in 4:3, It really is something to behold. All old TV systems used to be 4:3 ( A smaller square.) But now you will notice that TV's are rectangle and bigger ( 16:9). The fact that quiz shows such as Quizmania had to make thier graphics fit all screens including 4:3 made them look weird compared to conventional TV's. My point is, seeing extra isn't always better.

[DragonQ]

one thing worth noting is that most freeview/freesat/sky boxes trim parts of the video off (a few pixels around the edge). We do not do this so this could be affecting the aspect ratio slightly

Yes, that is called overscan. It doesn't affect aspect ratio.

[sanka]

I've been on the road for a while now and using what is now considered an old Fullscreen (4:3) laptop (IBM,X31). Watching TVC on public Wifi has been a godsend. (Even On Tor)

Anyways, Is there a way the Aspect Ratio setting could be in a cookie or flash memory? So each time I change channel I don't have to change the aspect ratio every time.

Sanka