Picture Problem On 4:3 Programs?

[bkw]

Alright, this isn't the usual complaint about the lousy quality of Foxtel buta very specific issue I've noticed oover the last few days.

I have two cable outlets, one is attached to a 50 inch Pana plasma and the other to a 40 inch Sony lcd.

When watching 4:3 programs i.e with the sides of the picture cut off, there is a straight green (sometimes purple) line that runs down the right hand side of the picture where the broadcast picture meets the black bar. It is only on the right hand side and never on the left. It is particularly bad on the lcd tv and very very distracting.

Note: it does not occur when watching FTA tv or a 4:3 dvd on either of the tv's so I assume that is must be an issue with the Foxtel transmission. Is this correct?

Does anyone else have this problem?

Can any of you guys explain to me what this problem may be?

Is there anything I can do about it?

[Trigg]

Alright, this isn't the usual complaint about the lousy quality of Foxtel buta very specific issue I've noticed oover the last few days.

I have two cable outlets, one is attached to a 50 inch Pana plasma and the other to a 40 inch Sony lcd.

When watching 4:3 programs i.e with the sides of the picture cut off, there is a straight green (sometimes purple) line that runs down the right hand side of the picture where the broadcast picture meets the black bar. It is only on the right hand side and never on the left. It is particularly bad on the lcd tv and very very distracting.

Note: it does not occur when watching FTA tv or a 4:3 dvd on either of the tv's so I assume that is must be an issue with the Foxtel transmission. Is this correct?

Does anyone else have this problem?

Can any of you guys explain to me what this problem may be?

Is there anything I can do about it?

Yep, I get this too. Very annoying!!

[bkw]

Yes, very annoying!

Does anyone know what causes this?

Is it something that Foxtel would send a tech out to fix if I complain?

[nico6]

I get the green line on 4:3 programs that I can stretch and change to 14:9. But it doesn't happen on 4:3 programs on Fox8 where they intentionally send 4:3 content as 16:9 i.e. the pillar box bars are part of the content so you can't change the aspect ratio. As you say it doesn't happen on FTA DTV, but I must check if it happens on 4:3 FTA DTV that is retransmitted by Foxtel. Can it be fixed? Dunno. Let us know how you go

[tomohawk]

Yes I noticed this when I bought my widescreen LCD.

I have pretty much worked out what I think it is, though I could be wrong.

Basically, you'll notice it only happens on channels that NEVER broadcast 16:9 (Eg you dont see it on FOX8, W, [V], [V]2 etc...). This indicated that it occurs at the edge of the broadcast signal, and perhaps carries digital data, analogous to the "white dots" you sometimes see along the top border of a broadcast 16:9 program letterboxed on a 4:3 set. I would imagine you would also see this green/purple line on the right hand side of 16:9 shows if you could see the full frame, eg if you had a 20:9 set or something like that.

In short, I dont think there's anything you can do about it, except wait for Foxtel to start broadcasting all channels in 16:9

[bkw]

I get the green line on 4:3 programs that I can stretch and change to 14:9. But it doesn't happen on 4:3 programs on Fox8 where they intentionally send 4:3 content as 16:9 i.e. the pillar box bars are part of the content so you can't change the aspect ratio. As you say it doesn't happen on FTA DTV, but I must check if it happens on 4:3 FTA DTV that is retransmitted by Foxtel. Can it be fixed? Dunno. Let us know how you go

I'm pretty sure it occurs on the retransmitted FTA channels too, at least on the ones that arn't widescreen i.e 7 and 10.

I'll do some more checking.

[bkw]

Yes I noticed this when I bought my widescreen LCD.

I have pretty much worked out what I think it is, though I could be wrong.

Basically, you'll notice it only happens on channels that NEVER broadcast 16:9 (Eg you dont see it on FOX8, W, [V], [V]2 etc...). This indicated that it occurs at the edge of the broadcast signal, and perhaps carries digital data, analogous to the "white dots" you sometimes see along the top border of a broadcast 16:9 program letterboxed on a 4:3 set. I would imagine you would also see this green/purple line on the right hand side of 16:9 shows if you could see the full frame, eg if you had a 20:9 set or something like that.

In short, I dont think there's anything you can do about it, except wait for Foxtel to start broadcasting all channels in 16:9

I did notoice that the problem isn't there on every channel but is on most channels. I'll check to see if it is not on the 16:9 channels and report back.

[ols]

I did notoice that the problem isn't there on every channel but is on most channels. I'll check to see if it is not on the 16:9 channels and report back.

Hi,

Yeah it's only on the native 4:3 channels and to make it less annoying you should switch the aspect ratio to 14:9 for those channels via the foxtel setup menu.

This will also reduce the effect of burn in on plasmas if you watch a lot of foxtel 4:3 channels and god knows there are enough of them.

Ols

[bkw]

Yes guys, I checked over the weekend and it only happens on native 4:3 channels which is damn near all of them.

What a pain!

[st3v3]

Hi,

This was discussed in a recent thread, but I haven't noticed the problem since I changed from my old STB via component to an IQ via composite...

st3v3

[Trigg]

Hi,

This was discussed in a recent thread, but I haven't noticed the problem since I changed from my old STB via component to an IQ via composite...

st3v3

Well the IQ via Component is certainly doing it!

[bkw]

Well the IQ via Component is certainly doing it!

Indeed! (x 2 machines)

[Guest master_scott]

Yes I've got it too.

I never had it while I was using a composite cable (yellow single for picture plus 2 cables for audio).

Since two days ago when I bought and connected a $170 component cable I have the green line. It seems to go away for a few seconds if there's something bright displayed on the (40" Sony V LCD Bravia) TV.

Same deal with the channels though - no line on widescreen channels, no line on widescreen channels displaying 4:3 shows. Basically only the crap (crapper?) quality channels have the line.

I have not done any research, but could it be that I (and others) have bought an RGB component cable, when what the FoxBox needs is a specific YUV cable?

I read on Wikipedia (look up "component video") that there are two types of component: "RGB" and "Y'PbPr", the latter being also known as YUV. If we use an RGB instead of a YUV, could this cause a problem? I tried switching to the RGB output on the FoxBox but to no avail. Maybe this is not the same as component RGB.

But a $170 investment in a cable is too much to just let this one lie.

[bkw]

I might have to test out your theory but i suspect that the cable is not the problem.

I have a Foxtel supplied component cable on the set-up to my 50 inch Pana and the line is there, although it is less visable than on my other set-up which like you is to a 40 inch Bravia. It certainly looks much worse on the Bravia.

I'll swap cables if i get a chance on the weekend and see if that makes any difference.

[Guest lamburger]

didi anyone find a solution for this issue other than reverting back to composite cable?

[Dondomains]

I hear or heard that if you watch 4.3 programes all the times or set up that configuaration via foxtel or your widescreen.. your panel screen will aventualy burn the screen itself. this is well said on your manuel book.. ones that happens there is nothing you can do to fix your screen.. it will burn out to look burble and distorted on the edges of your screen making it worse over time. Now not sure if this is fully true.... but the manuel tells me that as an acaution to be aware of.

Must well suffer all streachy programes so no fear will happen to ruine your expensive plasma or lcd. erither way they all screens and they will tirriated the screen if leaving programes all the times viewable with black bars side by side on your screen all the times... your screen is there willing to show you full image on your widescreen panel.. But sometimes programes are totaly dreadfull on widescreens for the full screen without black bars... so what can i person do since foxtel isnt always everything 16.9!

What do you think ?

Good luck though

Linda

xox

[DrP]

Some episodes of some programs (Mysterious Ways) have a purple line on the right side encoded in the video too.

[alphamale]

Foxtel digital is connected via the vcr machine.

Try connecting Foxtel direct to your TV instead of via the VCR. Also if your Foxtel box supports Component output (Red, Blue Green cables), then you will see an improvement in picture quality.

So what is it that foxtel digital dosnt look as perfect as FTA digital ?

Foxtel heavily compress their 'digital', hence their picture quality is nowhere need as good a FTA digital. Foxtel have been criticised for pushing content rather than quality. Some prefer more content, others prefer better picture quality.

If i capture good quality FTA digital and looks so good just like 1080 then surely foxtel (digital) would be the same correct or wrong? they are digital so you explain the details..

FTA digital is around 6Mbit for SD(576i) and around 12Mbits for HD (720p/1080i). Foxtel is around 3-4Mbits. The lower the Mbits the lower the picture quality.

My foxtel digital has a connection plug on the black long european socket.. and all the way to the vcr machine with a red/white/yellow connection.

I believe this is the main reason why your are seeing a 'smooth' image. The yellow connection (or called composite output) is not as good as a component (Red,Blue,Green cables) or s-video connection (4pin round plug). Try connecting either of these to your Plasma TV. You will definitely notice an improvement.

Hopefully the model of your Foxtel box can output these connections (if it's a Pace 420 model then it should). Instead of the SCART to Yellow/Red/White (composite), you will need to buy a SCART to Component (5 cables - Red/Blue/Green and Red/White) or SCART to S-Video (3 cables - 4-pin plug and Red/White) cable.

Hopefully you can improve your Foxtel picture quality like I did. I personally hook my Foxtel up to my DVD-Recorder via an S-video cable and output that to my Sharp LCD TV via Component. Picture quality is acceptable considering Foxtel heavily compress their stuff.

If I was to connect my Foxtel to my TV via a composite connection, (i.e Yellow cable), then the picture becomes very, very smooth and somewhat fuzzy. Nowhere near as good as Component or S-video.

Hope this helps you out.

[Venus]

Back to the original topic.....

Yesterday I did a reconfig of my home system (to accommodate my son's birthday Wii...) and changed my Foxtel iQ from s-video to component. Now for the first time I am seeing the coloured line down the right hand side of 4:3 pictures (set to 14:9 format). It's pretty annoying; if I hadn't just forked out $40 for the component cable, I would be tempted to revert to s-video.