How to change the AR on Verizon Fios?

[Imail724]

Hello, I recently got Verizon Fios and I am having some trouble changing the aspect ratio on it. I have a 16x9 tv. I was watching a movie on demand that was widescreen and I wanted to see if I could stretch the image so it would fit properly in my tv (I used to be able to do this with Cabelvision.) I went to the settings and couldn't find anything to do this. While I was there I started messing around with some of the options but in the end I just put it back to what it was set as, 1080i 16x9. The only thing is, now on the standard def channels, I have the black bars on the sides. I know that is how its supposed to look and if it fits the screens it gets stretched out, but I'd rather have it that way. Especially now while I'm trying to watch this widescreen movie I have the bars on all four sides which make the image so small. Anyway, anyone know how I can fix this so the side bars will disappear? Thanks.

[Jay G.]

You have to set the FIOS box to output more than just 1080i; at least set it to output 480p as well. Your TV isn't going to be able to alter the aspect ratio unless it's receiving a non-HD signal. At the moment, the FIOS box is upconverting everything to 1080i before outputting it, so your TV sees a 1080i signal even on SD channels and can't do anything. Adding 480p will mean anything 480 will be sent as 480p to your TV, while higher resolutions will still be sent as 1080i to your TV.

You may also want to set the FIOS box to output 480i and 720p, depending on whether these signals look better converted by your TV or by your FIOS box.

[Imail724]

As far as I know, I can only set it to output only one format.

[Jay G.]

As far as I know, I can only set it to output only one format.
That's why I told you that you can set it up for more. I've had two different HD cable boxes, and they've both allowed multiple resolutions being set.

At least try what I suggested. At worst, your output will temporarily be set to only 480p.

[Jay G.]

OK, googling "fios 480p" led me to a wikibook page for a Motorola DVR. If you have a Motorola, it indeed appears that you can't set it to output multiple HD resolutions.

However, you can set it to output SD material as SD, using the "4:3 OVERRIDE" function:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup#4:3_OVERRIDE

[Imail724]

Unfortunately, I don't have DVR and there is no "stretch" function. I realize now that I can manually switch it back and forth between 480 and 1080 depending on what I'm watching, but I'd perfer if I could have it switch automatically like it used to.

[Jay G.]

What model box do you have?

[Imail724]

Motorola HD QIP6200-2

[Jay G.]

Looking the model up on Motorola's site led to the User Guide:
http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Business/Products/TV%20Video%20Distribution/Set-tops/Hybrid%20QAM-IP%20Set-tops/QIP%206200/_Documents/QIP6200_User_Guide_-_521696-001-a.pdf

The Page 11-15, with bookmark OPTIMIZING YOUR SET-TOP FOR HIGH-DEFINITION TV have the instructions for your video settings. Just like with the DVR, you want to change the "4:3 Override" settings to 480p or 480i.

Here are the instructions in non-PDF form:
https://broadband.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/broadband.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=17653&p_created=1174587780&p_sid=*zP4-q2j&p_accessibility=&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MzIsMzImcF9wcm9kcz01OTIsOTg3JnBfY2F0cz0 mcF9wdj0yLjk4NyZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PVFJUDYyMDA*&p_li=&p_topview=1

You do not want to set it to "stretch" even if you could, since you then couldn't zoom in on letterboxed movies.

With HDMI/YPbPr Output set to "1080i" and 4:3 Override set to "480i" or "480p" you should have the best of both worlds without having to manually switch resolutions.

[Imail724]

Thanks for all your help. Unfortunately, nothing comes up when I press the menu button, on the TV or the box. I don't understand. Maybe I'll call them sometime. Thanks anyway.