Cannot get correct aspect ratio in GBPVR

[time_lord]

Hi, I've just set up a new HTPC (Core 2 Quad, clean install of XP, SP3, all patches) with an HVR2200 capture card and nvidia 8500GT graphics card. My eventual goal is to connect this up to a widescreen lcd, but for now I'm just viewing on a 19" pc lcd (running at 1280x1024), connected via standard vga connector (not dvi or hdmi). I'm watching freeview DVB-T in New Zealand.
When I run GBPVR the window size appears to be 4:3, so the picture appears 'tall and skinny'. I cycled (via F7) through the different rendering shapes (fill, pillar box, etc... (or whatever the terms)), but none of them made the picture better (most made it worse). And the overall window size stayed the same at 4:3. If I maximized the window this made no difference.

In the Config tool on the Playback tab I've tried changing 'Aspect Ratio Control' to 16x9 and back to 4x3, but it seems to make no difference to the GBPVR window. [I see it changes the <TvShape> setting in the config.xml file, so that seems ok, but it doesn't change the end result.]

Any ideas why I cannot fix this aspect ratio? Is GBPVR ignoring the config.xml setting or overriding it, detecting instead the actual aspect ratio of the attached monitor?
I Know the hardware can handle this all because the aspect ratio is correct if I run PowerCinema (which came with the capture card).

One other issue - if I maximize the GBPVR window I still see the title bar and window borders - is there a way to make it 'truely fullscreen'?

Any suggestions appreciated!
Phil

[sub]

I cycled (via F7) through the different rendering shapes (fill, pillar box, etc... (or whatever the terms)), but none of them made the picture better (most made it worse). And the overall window size stayed the same at 4:3. If I maximized the window this made no difference.

Are you talking about the video playing within the window, or the window itself? If you're running in window mode, then the window size is always the same aspect ratio as your desktop. Press F7 should cycle the video through the various aspect ratios within the window. These aspect ratios are only about the video, not the window.

[time_lord]

Are you talking about the video playing within the window, or the window itself?

I mean the window itself (not the video playing within it).

If you're running in window mode, then the window size is always the same aspect ratio as your desktop.

Ok, that'll explain it.

Press F7 should cycle the video through the various aspect ratios within the window. These aspect ratios are only about the video, not the window.

Right.... so how /do/ I get gbpvr to display things with the correct aspect ratio? Do I need to define some different ones in the config.xml file?

[sub]

Right.... so how /do/ I get gbpvr to display things with the correct aspect ratio? Do I need to define some different ones in the config.xml file?

One of the existing aspect ratio you get with F7 should be correct.

What shape is your monitor (4:3/16:9/16:10), and what is the aspect ratio of the channel you're watching (4:3/16:9, or something letterboxed/pillarboxed by broadcaster (ie, black bars as part of the picture transmitted))? For example, if you've got a 16:9 tv, and are watching a 16:9 show, then the 'fill' aspect ratio should be correct.

[time_lord]

One of the existing aspect ratio you get with F7 should be correct.
What shape is your monitor (4:3/16:9/16:10), and what is the aspect ratio of the channel you're watching (4:3/16:9, or something letterboxed/pillarboxed by broadcaster (ie, black bars as part of the picture transmitted))? For example, if you've got a 16:9 tv, and are watching a 16:9 show, then the 'fill' aspect ratio should be correct.

Well the monitor is running in its native 1280x1024 - what does that work out to, 5:4?? (Anyway, closer to 4:3 than 16x9!). The broadcast appears to be letterboxed? Eg go to TV1 (non-ac3)...

[sub]

Well the monitor is running in its native 1280x1024 - what does that work out to, 5:4?? (Anyway, closer to 4:3 than 16x9!).

Pixels dont have to be square. You can get monitors that have a native resolution of 1280x1024 that are widescreen 16:9 shape, and those that have the same resolution that are 4:3. From your comments though, it sounds like it is a 4:3 shape screen (or close enough).

The broadcast appears to be letterboxed? Eg go to TV1 (non-ac3)...

The olympics coverage on TV1 is 16:9, so assuming your TV shape is set to 4:3, if you F7 to the 'Letterbox' aspect ratio, this should be the correct aspect ratio. (it'll end up letterbox'd within your 4:3 window, with black bars top/bottom).

[time_lord]

The olympics coverage on TV1 is 16:9, so assuming your TV shape is set to 4:3, if you F7 to the 'Letterbox' aspect ratio, this should be the correct aspect ratio. (it'll end up letterbox'd within your 4:3 window, with black bars top/bottom).

Yep that's what I would have expected, but it doesn't seem to work. I'm not in front of it at the moment so I cannot test again for a few minutes. (And I'm just about to put the AC3 codec on the new box ;-) )

Ummm... any thoughts on the other issue - if I maximize the GBPVR window I still see the title bar and window borders - is there a way to make it 'truely fullscreen'?

[sub]

Post screenshot and your logs and I'll take a look.

Ummm... any thoughts on the other issue - if I maximize the GBPVR window I still see the title bar and window borders - is there a way to make it 'truely fullscreen'?

You're supposed to press alt-enter to toggle between window mode and fullscreen mode.

[time_lord]

Post screenshot and your logs and I'll take a look.

Yep will do in a few mins

You're supposed to press alt-enter to toggle between window mode and fullscreen mode.

Oh, y of course (ah, I mean I hadn't tried that)... but that 'maximize' button should do that also, no?

[sub]

but that 'maximize' button should do that also, no?

No, it doesnt - it just maximizes the window like any other windows app, leaving the title bar present etc.

Its not really expected that anyone will be running in window mode anyway. Its fullscreen UI, and designed to be run without the 'run in window mode' option enabled. Window mode is only really there for convenience when people are tinkering.