RECENTLY Black Bars top and bottom on HD
F_PK
Enthusiast - Level 3

In past few days when I turn on my multi-room STB /TV I'm getting top & bottom black bars. Picture appears stretched. This on HD channels, TV set to 16:9.  Rebooting the STB corrects the problem  BUT  recurres the next day, requiring another reboot.  Happening daily for past 3-5 days.  My other STB has no similar problem.

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14 Replies
Vfam1
Enthusiast - Level 3

I'm having the same issue as of October 5, 2018. HD channels that are playing HD content are coming in as really odd widescreen and have the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. I have not changed any of the picture/zoom settings on my TV or my STB.

What is the issue that is happening with these boxes? Also, what is the reboot code for DVRs? I'd like to at least apply temporary solutions until Verizon gives a more permanent fix. I don't want to unplug and replug my DVR and I was almost sure there was some way to input special codes into the DVR for certain actions like reboot.

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F_PK
Enthusiast - Level 3

I been rebooting (without UNPLUGing) by goiny to MENU  -  Customer Support  - 

Top Support Tools  -  scroll down to "Reboot STB"

This reboots the Set Top Box without unpluging / re-pluging.

VERIZON  Fix The Problem!!!!!!

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CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

This is mainly a peer to peer support forum.

For Verizon assitance, you will need to contact support.

Either 1800Verizon or twitter @verizonsupport

jt710
Enthusiast - Level 3

Do me a favor..

Next time this happens, hold the "D" button on the bottom-right of your remote for 5-6 seconds.. let go.   Wait, you'll get a support menu... then a "hidden" menu w/ a User Settings option.

Go in there.. what display mode do you have?  Mine says 480p... switch it to 1080p60 and the problem is fixed.. until next time.

Vfam1
Enthusiast - Level 3

I'll try using the "D" button the next time this occurs, jt7. Thanks for the heads up. I've been bothere by the issue all weekend but tonight when I turned on the set top box, the display was working properly. Am I lucky at the moment or has the issue been resolved for others as well?

jt710
Enthusiast - Level 3

I'd guess lucky..

I've had the problem for about 3 weeks...  

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N30
Newbie

Thanks! That was driving me INSANE!

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jt710
Enthusiast - Level 3

Sounds similar to what I've been going over and over in this thread:

https://forums.verizon.com/t5/Fios-TV-Technical-Assistance/FIOS-DVR-STB-set-to-1080P-occasionally-TV...

See if you can check your TV's reported display resolution.. in my case, the 1080 16:9 broadcast was displaying as 480p 4:3 on my TV.  A quick fix for me, was to go to the Video Settings on the STB.. set to a different display mode, then revert.

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F_PK
Enthusiast - Level 3

Please. 

Of course TV is set to same parameters as its ALWAYS been. This is a VERIZON issue, NOT a TV issue.  My ITC1100 STB does not have the same problem, just the multi-room STB.

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rory49
Enthusiast - Level 1

I've had the same problem since about Christmas & it's been driving me crazy.  Only on the main DVR box (2 satellite boxes have no problem), resolution keeps going back to 4x3.  Everything works fine once I reset it through the Verizon menu, but if I turn the TV off, it will revert back 4x3 on the next power up.  No issues with Blu-ray player or streaming services, only the communication between the Verizon box (VMS 1100) & the TV (Samsung UN65HU8550).

I requested a new box (I got the same model, don't know if that's the only one they use), but I still got the same problem.  I tried switching to a different HDMI input on the TV, no change.  Just on a whim, I tried a different HDMI cable and the problem disappeared!  Trouble was, the cable was too short.  I went to Best Buy to get a 10' length of fresh HDMI cable (rated for 4K, but the TV isn't) - and gave me the same problem!

I tried all combinations of connections, inputs and configurations - and the only thing that works is the crappy old 6' HDMI cable that had been in my AV equipment pile for years.  I don't even know how to explain the return to Best Buy.  Getting lucky with a cable may be a work-around on our end - but that still doesn't determine the root cause.  And doesn't explain why the problem started on its own (I hadn't touched anything for 6 months when it all began.  Hello, Verizon????

If I find a brand that works, I'll let you know, I have a hunch it may be a non-4K rated type of cable (Home Depot or maybe even a grocery store).

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clem21
Community Leader
Community Leader

Did you check in service menu for available resolutions? Power off box, ok 2x, look for resolutions. Make 480p unchecked, all others your TV can handle checked. Power off box to exit.

rory49
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks for the quick response & for your suggestion.  This brought me to Menu Version 2.6.  Most of this seemed to be display-only, but I found a section marked "User Settings".  It displayed TV type (16:9), DVI (1080p60) and 4:3 stretch (off).   An heading marked "Additional HDMI Settings" linked me to another page:

HDMI/DVI mode:  DVI

Color Space:  YCbCr

Audio Output:  Auto

Lip Sync: Auto

Lip Sync delay: 0

I couldn't find a menu that looked like what you described.  The HDMI setting above looked a little odd (DVI?) but I didn't change it.  I did try another cable today, a mini cable not rated for 4K but no luck.  I returned to the older cable & everything was fine again.

Thanks again, let me know if I missed the hidden door to your menu!

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clem21
Community Leader
Community Leader

@rory49 wrote:

Thanks for the quick response & for your suggestion.  This brought me to Menu Version 2.6.  Most of this seemed to be display-only, but I found a section marked "User Settings".  It displayed TV type (16:9), DVI (1080p60) and 4:3 stretch (off).   An heading marked "Additional HDMI Settings" linked me to another page:

HDMI/DVI mode:  DVI

Color Space:  YCbCr

Audio Output:  Auto

Lip Sync: Auto

Lip Sync delay: 0

I couldn't find a menu that looked like what you described.  The HDMI setting above looked a little odd (DVI?) but I didn't change it.  I did try another cable today, a mini cable not rated for 4K but no luck.  I returned to the older cable & everything was fine again.

Thanks again, let me know if I missed the hidden door to your menu!


You got the correct menu, firmware update must have changed it. You need to change DVI to HDMI in additional HDMI settings, and make sure input on TV is set to HDMI. Also TV type should read HDMI 1080i after you change setting. That might fix your problem.

67Newport
Newbie

I just signed up for Verizon FIOS and all the HD channels were letterboxed.  All other devices worked fine and all settings were ok so it was something to do with FIOS box.  What I discovered is pressing the 'C' button on the Vz remote changed it to HD.  Then when I turned everything off and back on again, I was prompted to select my TV type, SD or HD.  I selected HD and it seems to work fine now.

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