2009-05-15, 19:00
I recently purchased an Apple TV (ATV). I upgraded the box using Apple TV USB Patchsticket 1.0.b11 to allow use of XBMC and Boxee. The patch worked successfully. My XBMC version is xbmc babylon 9.04.
The ATV is connected to a 32" Sony HD LCD TV using an HDMI cable. I have the resolution set on the ATV to 1080i. XBMC resolution is set to Auto.
The problem I am experiencing has to do with XBMC's ability to maintain the aspect ratio of the video played. For some reason, some video content in widescreen format displays correctly. The picture is not stretched or distorted. On the other hand, some widescreen videos do not play back correctly. I have been unable to determine whether this issue is related to the type of file format, ie iso, divix, xvid.
One big problem I am having is XBMC's inability to properly display video content that is recorded in the 4:3 format. For some reason, all 4:3 videos are stretched and squished. I read several posts on this subject and people keep suggesting that you should use the zoom feature on your TV to fix the aspect ratio problem. I don't understand why I need to make adjustments to my TV to watch video's with different aspect ratios. I own an original Xbox with XBMC installed. I don't have this problem on the Xbox. All videos play perfectly without distortion or stretching, including 4:3 videos.
At first I thought the problem was with the Apple TV’s inability to display 4:3 content correctly. I'm not sure this is the case since I am able to successfully watch YouTube videos in the 4:3 format without any issues. It seems to me that this problem is related to a programming (code) issue with XBMC for Apple TV.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what adjustments; including code changes to XBMC might resolve this issue. I don't think I am alone on this problem. From the Google searches I have done, I have read quite a few posts on this subject.
Thanks,
Kevin
The ATV is connected to a 32" Sony HD LCD TV using an HDMI cable. I have the resolution set on the ATV to 1080i. XBMC resolution is set to Auto.
The problem I am experiencing has to do with XBMC's ability to maintain the aspect ratio of the video played. For some reason, some video content in widescreen format displays correctly. The picture is not stretched or distorted. On the other hand, some widescreen videos do not play back correctly. I have been unable to determine whether this issue is related to the type of file format, ie iso, divix, xvid.
One big problem I am having is XBMC's inability to properly display video content that is recorded in the 4:3 format. For some reason, all 4:3 videos are stretched and squished. I read several posts on this subject and people keep suggesting that you should use the zoom feature on your TV to fix the aspect ratio problem. I don't understand why I need to make adjustments to my TV to watch video's with different aspect ratios. I own an original Xbox with XBMC installed. I don't have this problem on the Xbox. All videos play perfectly without distortion or stretching, including 4:3 videos.
At first I thought the problem was with the Apple TV’s inability to display 4:3 content correctly. I'm not sure this is the case since I am able to successfully watch YouTube videos in the 4:3 format without any issues. It seems to me that this problem is related to a programming (code) issue with XBMC for Apple TV.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what adjustments; including code changes to XBMC might resolve this issue. I don't think I am alone on this problem. From the Google searches I have done, I have read quite a few posts on this subject.
Thanks,
Kevin