Aspect Ratio issues Zinwell 620HD

[nicb]

As of today (11-11-08) the aspect ratios on my zinwell are stretching everything into some sort of 4x3 display. I have a 4x3 TV but dont mind the 4x3 letterbox setting as i get all of the image in the correct ratio but now it is stretching every thing upward, which is f***ed.

As this is a new thing i assume it has to do with a broadcast signal telling the stb to bend over and take it.

Who sends out the software and firmware updates for the different stbs? It cant be each manufacturer. Or is it signal encoded by the broadcaster? Or by kordica? Any ideas??

[ascott]

My HD Receiver is doing the same thing, starting from the same day (11/11/08)

Weird...any resolution to this would be appreciated.

[mikerussellnz]

Hi

I am getting an odd issue that just started with the Zinwell box, in 16:9 ratio, on C4 and any SD channels after the OSD disappears, it just slightly zooms in slightly, pressing any keys on the remote that cause the OSD to come up cause it to zoom back, until the OSD disappears. Also happens when changing channels.

Definitely they are doing something with the aspect ratios.

[evilone]

Recently, I've noticed that some Freeview broadcasters have reconfigured
an aspect ratio flag in the Freeview|HD transmissions.

The TV channels affected are TV1, TV2, Maori TV, TVNZ6, TVNZ7, TVNZ
Sports Extra, Parliament TV, Chinese TV, and the HD-Demo channel. TV3
and C4 do not appear to be affected.

This appears to override it to 16:9 regardless of the aspect ratio
setting selected in the Freeview receiver. Different versions of
Zinwell firmware also react the same way, from version 1.0.6 through to the
latest version 1.0.9.

I've also confirmed with friends that Bravia iDTV's have the same issue.

As a temporary workaround, if you select SUBTITLES and set them to
English, it appears to override the Aspect Ratio back to whatever is
selected.

As we no longer have control over the Aspect Ratio setting, we
should enquire with the TV broadcasters to see if they would consider
reverting the change that was made.


FYI;
Freeview (0800 373384)
TVNZ (09) 916 7000
Kordia (09) 916 6400

[kiwisteve]

Not noticed any problems on the Sony with built in DTT
so maybe just a set up of the box is needed ?? is it on manual or AFD ??

[evilone]

Freeview have acknowledged the problem, and are apparently releasing a patch to their tranmissions at approximately 1700 this evening.

Shall see if it solves the problems.

[FRANKVAN DER ZW]

So, here I am purchasing a new DSE HD Freeview receiver and after three days getting these aspect ratio problems. Tried every conceivable combination of remote control buttons and figured out that it only applied to certain channels and the work around was the subtitles.

I took the box to Dick Smith and it got promptly replaced with another. However the problem didn't go away. In the end I wrote an email to DSE Support who notified me that it was probably a broadcast issue.

I went on the phone to Freeview and got told that they changed some parameters and that a patch would be applied.

This raises many questions: Why didn't anybody at the local Dick Smith shop know what was going on? They wanted to send my three day old box for repair to Next Electronics, and it would two weeks to get fixed. It is only after I pointed my 14 day money guarantee out that I got a replacement.

Why did I have to send email to DSE Support to get an answer? Mind you, their helpful answer confirmed my suspicions.

Finally, why didn't the broadcasters put a message on their websites stating that they completely mismanaged their software release and that a fix was worked on.

What a waste of time. I was about to throw this Freeview box out. How unprofessional. What's next?

[Injuised]

Firstly DSE are only resellers, they sell hundreds of gadgets and you cant expect them to know every detail about every gadget,

Secondly I doubt very much joe public would appreciate a banner across the screen telling them about something as small as an aspect ratio issue, and they probably would not understand it anyway

Thirdly, I dont know how many houses ive been to where people have bought a widescreen tv and their Sky or Freeview is still on 4:3

If youd come to this forum first and done some research before buyin one you would know all the bugs and you would know what brands to buy

[FRANKVAN DER ZW]

The problem is not fixed yet. Apalling service. Why would anyone buy a HD set top box? Freeview...yeah right! from Franks' wife

Injuised you must work for DSE. $300 is a lot to spend on a an HD box that does not work properly!

[Injuised]

The problem is not fixed yet. Apalling service. Why would anyone buy a HD set top box? Freeview...yeah right! from Franks' wife

Injuised you must work for DSE. $300 is a lot to spend on a an HD box that does not work properly!

No I dont work for DSE and I dont sell zinwells

Ive worked in the industry for some time now and it has allways been this way

Most people are enjoying their HD, We cant even get it in Nelson, but do you hear me moan

[Spyware]

You have no evidence that the issue is with the STB. My suspicion is that the problem is with the transmission and AFD codes. Let TVNZ and Kordia sort it given they employ the people with the technical skills.

I agree though that this is appalling and should NOT happen.

[Injuised]

The problem is not fixed yet. Apalling service. Why would anyone buy a HD set top box? Freeview...yeah right! from Franks' wife

Injuised you must work for DSE. $300 is a lot to spend on a an HD box that does not work properly!

You could allways go back to analog

[FRANKVAN DER ZW]

You don't get it. I bought a DSE Settop Box for $ 300 to get reception of TV6 kidzone for my little boy, so he can watch the one program they pulled of the analogue channel.

I am renting a house that doesn't have a Satellite dish. I am not interested in HD. My TV is just a dumb monitor that gets signals from a perfectly good box. Signals that are now distorted by the broadcasters. The box worked perfectly for exactly three days until some broadcaster decided to put a change through.

No, I am not the only one complaining. Probably one who is onto it and doesn't get pushed aside that easily.

All I want is to be able to watch a TV channel that is not distorted. Is that too much to ask for after spending the $ 300? All I am asking for is some courtesy from the broadcasters to acknowledge that they created a problem that needs to be fixed. It isn't DSE's problem.

Don't tell me that you have been in the industry for a long time. That is completely irrelevant to the issue of a problematic broadcast, a lack of discipline in Change Control, Incident Management and HelpDesk. The best help today I got from DSE, your so called re-sellers.

So my advice to anybody with a HD UHF set top box: Get on the phone and don't get off the phone until Kordis, Freeview and/or TVNZ have fixed the problem they created. After that it is off to Fair Go I guess.

[Injuised]

If you dont like it just bring it back

The broadcasters are working hard to resolve this issue, moaning about it is only going to annoy them

The issue only came about because they are improving the EPG data stream to include pvr data

Lets get this back into perspective, its only an aspect ratio, and its being worked on,

And $300 is not alot of money, I spend that on a rear tyre on my bike and that only lasts 3 months

[wiredr]

excerpt from tech bulliten sent today re the stb problems resulting from the epg upgrade,

"The problem is seen as a green flash on the screen on TV3.

We have been informed from various users that a number of receivers suffer from this issue, including even some Zinwell boxes. However updates will quickly be provided to resolve any problems. "

[kiwisteve]

Many things in the broadcasting world shouldn't happen but do .
I spend many hours a month sorting out ( shouldn't but do happens !!! )
:D:D:D:D

[FRANKVAN DER ZW]

If you dont like it just bring it back

The broadcasters are working hard to resolve this issue, moaning about it is only going to annoy them

The issue only came about because they are improving the EPG data stream to include pvr data

Lets get this back into perspective, its only an aspect ratio, and its being worked on,

And $300 is not alot of money, I spend that on a rear tyre on my bike and that only lasts 3 months

And here is another of your quotes: [If youd come to this forum first and done some research before buyin one you would know all the bugs and you would know what brands to buy]

1. Re: research: From my "hardware" research I found that if I purchase a Freeview approved ST box, I should be confident that it works. Prior to purchasing this box I could not find anything on the net that indicated that there would be bugs in the box.

2. The broadcasters are working on it to resolve it? Ah, are they now finally admitting that is their problem and not due to a lack of research on my side? Are they now also going to send a press release admitting that they've got it wrong on the 11th of November. Similar to the 14 th November press releases re "green flashes" that appear on the TV3 channel of Unapproved boxes?

As per your posting: "Secondly I doubt very much joe public would appreciate a banner across the screen telling them about something as small as an aspect ratio issue, and they probably would not understand it anyway". To quote your statement that you have been in the industry for a long time; It sadly shows. Do you work for Freeview, Kordia, TVNZ? I am not "Joe Public", I never asked for a banner to be put across a screen, all I want is some form communication from Freeview. They do Press Releases to highlight issues with non-approved boxes; Cheers Paul and Kelly from TWBA / PR (Consultants).

3. Put aspect ratio into perspective? No, I won't put it in perspective. I am looking at a distorted picture which is stretched from top to bottom. I am not "moaning", I am actually complaining; quite a difference.

4. The fact that you bring the price of motorcycles is irrelevant, there are other discussion that do motorcycles. Stick to the issue please.

My final verdict:
- Injuised: I can only conclude that your comments are ill-researched and at times irrelevant. Score: 4/10

- Freeview: Get on the phone to Paul and or Kelly from TWBA/PR and get a this Press Release / notification on your website so we don't all have to run back and forwards to the retailers, swap boxes and hang on the phone with you. It shows how infantile this DB industry is. Score: 4/10

Dick Smith Electronics: Steven of your Manukau support team is a cracker. Couldn't get any better answers than his. Score: 9/10.

And if you want you can give me all a score of 10/10 for "complaining". But I know that I am on to it, and keep the broadcasters honest.

[MorriTheCat]

Even though it was flashed with the Taiwan PVR Firmware we now have a few annoying issues with A.Ratio which ONLY affects S-VHS/Composite output ie feeds to 4:3 TV...

I Noticed last Thursday (13/11/08) that TV3 came right ie no problems at all but back this morning (Saturday and last night Friday) they were back in the same problem.

Freeview were able at 9pm to tell me they are working on things. What really annoys is that if you adjust sound level (mute or volume) the picture AR returns to 4:3 CROP from 4:3 LETTERBOX.

The last OTA firmware flash has freaked something. Have not had time to try another re-flash of the Taiwanese S/W to see if it repairs things.

It could be the recent OTA is an update to EPG to ready the roleout of MyFreeview PVR boxes but if the result is that many current 'Freeview' compliant units are now in a 'broken' state then Freeview have a real project on their hands. Since TV3 was OK Thursday then why don't Freeview do what ever TV3 had going on on Thursday so i can enjoy my $500 over the weekend????

[Injuised]

:_applauso: :_applauso::_applauso:you just keep beleiving that if its going to make you happy frank:_z::_z::_z:

[sky_satt]

Lets provide a 10/10 with a 5/10 2/10 re complaint, "is this for real"
It does good to draw attention to an issue hence a fix may be provided.

What ought to have happened is freeview tech should have provided a press release advising of an intended change irrespective of being an approved or non approved system to industry, hence this would have prepared all in industry whom provide services in the above, this did not happen, an hopefully it will be a position taken next time to notify a change to all interested parties as a change may likely affect them on terrestrial or sat !

re: Honesty of our Broadcasters one doubts that this needs to be called to question an does not arise as being at issue.

[Injuised]

Lets provide a 10/10 with a 5/10 2/10 re complaint, "is this for real"
It does good to draw attention to an issue hence a fix may be provided.

What ought to have happened is freeview tech should have provided a press release advising of an intended change irrespective of being an approved or non approved system to industry, hence this would have prepared all in industry whom provide services in the above, this did not happen, an hopefully it will be a position taken next time to notify a change to all interested parties as a change may likely affect them on terrestrial or sat !

re: Honesty of our Broadcasters one doubts that this needs to be called to question an does not arise as being at issue.


well put