Roku Ultra 2020 - DVR playback is wrong aspect ratio for SD

[2000cam]

I got a new Roku Ultra 2020. I also have a Roku Ultra 2019 and Streaming Stick + in my house.

I have the HDHomeRun SCRIBE QUATRO Model: HDVR-4US-1T

It works great with everything for live TV. All devices. The older Rokus are playing back DVR files as they always have.

The new Roku Ultra 2020 has issues playing back recordings the are in SD format from non-HD stations. I only have a few recordings like this. But, they play back a scrunched in like it is a smartphone. Very narrow in the middle of the wide screen, about 1/3 of the screen width. The other devices play it back normally.

I am on the latest version 9.4 of the app on Roku devices.

The recordings play fine on tablet software, phone software, desktop software and the other Roku devices. Just not the new Ultra.

I can't change any aspect ratios on the TV or Roku that I can find. It is a very new Vizio 75" TV.

Any ideas?

[ronintexas]

There are a few SD stations in my area that were moved from one broadcaster to another for the ATSC 3.0 conversion. They put the channels on a 4:3 aspect ratio, and they should be 14:9, so when I record them with my Tablo DVRs or view them on the HDHomerun software, it is "pinched" like you are describing. On my TVs, instead of the standard "auto" selection of the screen, if you tell it 16:9 aspect ratio, it shows correctly on the screen (the "zoom" is different).

Can you look at the meta data from the channel? (the "info" button on the TV should show the aspect ratio of that channel)

[NTC]

I got a new Roku Ultra 2020. I also have a Roku Ultra 2019 and Streaming Stick + in my house.

I have the HDHomeRun SCRIBE QUATRO Model: HDVR-4US-1T

It works great with everything for live TV. All devices. The older Rokus are playing back DVR files as they always have.

The new Roku Ultra 2020 has issues playing back recordings the are in SD format from non-HD stations. I only have a few recordings like this. But, they play back a scrunched in like it is a smartphone. Very narrow in the middle of the wide screen, about 1/3 of the screen width. The other devices play it back normally.

I am on the latest version 9.4 of the app on Roku devices.

The recordings play fine on tablet software, phone software, desktop software and the other Roku devices. Just not the new Ultra.

I can't change any aspect ratios on the TV or Roku that I can find. It is a very new Vizio 75" TV.

Any ideas?

It's the Roku OS that is at fault. You will get the same video problem if they were played using the Roku Media Player.

[NedS]

Something changed with the Roku 9.4 update that seems to be causing issues. We will look into it and try to work with Roku to fix it.

[2000cam]

Thanks. I'll keep following the thread.
I have found that ALL SD video is effected on the new Ultra 2020. Even live stations.

Something changed with the Roku 9.4 update that seems to be causing issues. We will look into it and try to work with Roku to fix it.

[2000cam]

Anything new?
Roku made a new upgrade for the Ultra 2020, but not an Ultra 2019. It did not help a thing. In fact it has made Roku a bit sketchier altogether. It locks up a bit on different apps.
The SD content coming from HD Homerun is still squeezed. HD is fine.
I'm hoping for a Silicon update soon. The DVR recordings are feeding with digital artifacts and blocking.
Hoping Roku gets back to Silicon on this.

[2000cam]

I guess they gave up on this? My new Roku Ultra still plays SD stations looking like an iPhone. Squeezed in super thin.

[2000cam]

Nothing yet?

Something changed with the Roku 9.4 update that seems to be causing issues. We will look into it and try to work with Roku to fix it.

[kohaiut]

I think I'm having this same problem with HDHomeRun CONNECT 4K HDHR5-4K using plex as the DVR. I posted on the plex forum and a very helpful forum member pointed me to this thread. Playback is fine on my windows 10 pc using plex client or VLC. It's scrunched on my TV using a brand new Roku Ultra. (Roku hdmi to harmon kardon receiver to a samsung TV via hdmi)

Live TV seems fine. Not all SD is doing it to me. I'm trying to figure out if it is channel specific. I have a sample file here for those that are curious.

[2000cam]

I wish someone would look into this. I think it is an issue with the Scribe or the HD Homerun app with JUST the new version of Roku Ultra. The new Ultra is at fault for sure, it is only on the "new" Ultra. The older Ultra works fine.

FYI, I am a bit concerned about the Scribe firmware and the HDHomeRun app. I have been having issues of stuff not recording anymore. I set the recordings on the app and I think it is skipping them even though they are set to record. I'll need to do more testing.

Hoping it is soon time for an update to the Firmware: 20200907.

[avatar42]

BTW mine just stopped recording a few weeks back though everything appears fine including shows listed to record. It just does not record them. Have not gotten around to doing a factory reset yet as it is my my backup DVR I'm leaning toward just sticking it on a Plex instance.

[2000cam]

That happened to me too. I didn't notice for a while but just stopped recording. Missed one show for a couple of weeks that I noticed.
I just pulled the plug and rebooted it.
I then tested my making something record immediately. That recorded.
Now I need to test if I set a scheduled recording it will work.
Very weird.
When are they going to do an update of the September software?

[2000cam]

Power cycle worked for me so far for the stopped recording.
Scheduled a show a few minutes in the future and it started recording.
SD playback is still screwed up. I know they are ignoring it because it is ONLY on Roku Ultra new version and nothing else. Shame.

[nickk]

Hi 2000cam,

The HDHomeRun passes the stream to the player which then decodes and renders the video.

On the Roku platform the player is provided by Roku. The Roku Ultra 2020 appears to have a bug applying the aspect ratio for MPEG2 content. This is something we don't have any control over and Roku needs to fix in their player.

Nick - Silicondust

[avatar42]

Repowering has not worked for me. It says it is going to record something but then just does not for some reason.