Faulty Box

[GarethPrice]

For reference:

https://www.bt.com/help/tv/getting-set-up/how-do-i-control-my-tv-with-my-bt-tv-remote-control-

There is a link there to get the correct code for your TV

The aspect of a broadcast is set by the broadcaster and the BT box should not affect this at all, which as I said before leads me to suspect it’s on the TV side. Did you try what I suggested of unplugging and replugging the HDMI cable on the TV, which may make the TV recognise the correct aspect.  

Forgive me for asking what my seem a condescending question, but is it happening (the black bars) on all channels, or just certain ones, eg Talking Pictures, Gold, ITV4, that often show old shows in 4:3 format?

[MikeM3]

Hi Gareth, I thought that it had slipped into 4:3 format, but I couldn't
find anywhere to change it, I disconnected the power for 20 minutes
last night, no difference, I didn't try the HDMI Cable though, the first
time I noticed it, was when I had moved stuff around in the living room,
the only disconnection, was the TV aerial from the box, it did have a little
booster on it, this I removed because I figured that the box was a booster,
the programme was "Flog It", I thought that the aspect might have been
right, except that one of the specialists was young and had not been around
during, the 4:3 years, I will make sure that the TV is on a proper programme
that might affect the screen with.

Mike.

[MikeM3]

Hi Gareth, here is a picture taken a few minutes ago
Sky News, you can see the black bands at the side
the quality of the image is fine.
I removed the HDMI Cable as suggested, but it is still
the same.

I also re-instated the TV aerial with booster, before
taking the picture.

Mike.

[GarethPrice]

Yep, definitely not right Mike!

I take it the booster is aerial lead in one end and co-ax (aerial) lead out the other to the BT box? Are there any other outlets/switches/buttons on it?  Can’t see how that would affect, but just to eliminate it from the equation, what happens if you plug the aerial lead direct into the BT box other than maybe being insufficient signal to see anything (and assuming you can reach the BT box with the aerial lead of course)

When you said before you had checked the aspect setting on the TV, was that with an aspect button on the remote? Did you go into the settings of the TV and see if there is a display option in there that might be overriding the one on the remote

[MikeM3]

I had the aerial plugged directly into the box, then from there to the TV,
this afternoon, I have put the booster back on the coaxial cable, no joy,
it is just a little with in and out for the cable, plus an on-off switch, as to
checking the aspect ratio on the TV, I went into the settings and it is fine,
there is no aspect control on the You View Pro box, I think that there was
in the older ones, I have had BT TV, since the 1990s, so I have seen some
changes.
So, nothing left to do except contact BT and hope to get a human to speak
with, that will help.

Thanks again for all your help Gareth.

Mike.

[GarethPrice]

It’s a mystery indeed Mike.

Don’t suppose any of your neighbours/relatives/friends have BT TV and can bring their box across to test, or maybe a Freeview box/recorder? If the problem is still there it could indicate that maybe the TV has ‘gone rogue’ (as opposed to a setting being wrong)

All the operators for BT are based in the UK now, you need to pick the BT TV option (not sales as you mentioned before). Try 0800 678 1977 rather than the generic 0800 800 150

[MikeM3]

Thank you for the suggestion and the phone number, I will use it tomorrow,
or maybe Tuesday.
The last time I tried to contact BT I got only computers.
I don't know anybody here who has BT TV, I live in a "Sheltered" home, that
is no longer "Sheltered", but is designated for the over 55s.

Thank you for your efforts, But the machine isn't for cooperating, since we
started trying to fix the bands down the screen, the recording area dumped
most of the series recording requests, I had several, but today there are only
three left there, so I have to find when the missing ones broadcast and start
again.

Enjoy Easter, the weather looks to be a bit improved, at least warmer starts
tomorrow with 16C during the day.

Bye.

Mike.

[GarethPrice]

You’ll go through an initial menu system “press 1 for this, press 2 for that” and if it asks you to describe what the call is about , just say something like “BT TV problem”. I’ve found waiting on that number to be less than the generic one, but it’s a free number so persevere. It does rather sound as if your box may be poorly. Let us know next week how you get on.

Another over 55 here (by 17 years). 16C would be nice here on the East Coast, 10 to 12C over Easter with (at the moment) rain predicted for Monday, well it is a Bank Holiday…..Happy Easter!

[MikeM3 · Accepted solution]

Good morning Gareth, I called the BT technical help for the TV and spoke
with Craig, he has arranged for an Engineer to call on Monday, to try and
do a reset to see if that will help, I think that he will also carry a replacement
box as I explained that a complete reset had been done in November and that
didn't help, as the recurring faults have resurfaced, yesterday, it failed to record
something, but it kept a space for it and told me that, "Recording Failed", it had
a picture of some of the content that failed.

Anyway after I explained all the events, etc., he relented and is sending somebody.

I will let you know the final outcome.

Mike.

[GarethPrice]

Good to hear Mike

(Tea or coffee and a couple of choccy biscuits to hand 😉)