Forum Discussion

Jman4531's avatar
Jman4531
Binge Watcher
2 years ago

Roku 3800X 3800RW & Tablo 4th Gen Screen Resolution

4th Gen Tablo, tried on 3 diff Roku sticks (3800X & 3800RW) that are about 5 years old. Tried on 2 older Samsung TVs and a 5 year old Insignia TV. HD channels look good, BUT 480p & 720p channels appear in very small unwatchable box in upper left corner of screen.

Next tried Tablo app on 720p TCL Roku TV. As expected, the sub channels (less than 1080p) all appear fine. They are NOT playing in tiny box in upper left corner like we’re seeing on our other higher res TVs with Roku sticks.

Next purchased a Roku Ultra and connected to Yamaha TSR-7850 AV receiver which connects to Samsung 7 Series 4K TV. All channels including 720p & 480p sub-channels appear full screen.

Tablo’s response to this issue is that it’s Roku’s problem to solve, and although I’m totally unsatisfied with that response, I’m now turning to Roku for help. I have 4 or 5 approximately 4 or 5 year old Roku “sticks” that are having this issue. I’m not excited about the prospect of having to replace all of them.

Does Roku have a “fix” for this situation?

Is there a work-around that’s better than “change Roku resolution and restart “?

Is Roku offering an upgrade deal to customers experiencing this issue?

Thanks

app playback

24 Replies

  • renojim's avatar
    renojim
    Community Streaming Expert
    2 years ago

    I'm interested to see what response you'll get from anyone at Roku, but I can pretty much predict it and can only say, don't get your hopes up.  I don't have a 3800, but I do have a 3910 that exhibits this problem, although I don't recall if I tried my recently purchased Tablo on it.  On my 3910, as long as I play a 720p video first, it displays properly (I can't say that I ever tried any 480p videos).  Once I play a 1080p video, any 720p video plays in the upper left corner until a restart.  This Roku bug has been going on for years through several firmware updates.  In my case it was the HDHomeRun app where I first noticed the problem, but that wasn't the only one that had it.  I wish I could try the Tablo app on the 3910, but I won't be able to for a while.

    So here's my prediction:
    You'll be asked for a picture and then some other information and asked if the problem goes away after a restart (which it does).  At that point, it will be dropped or declared forwarded to some "group" and we'll never hear about it again.

    As for upgrades, you can check to see if you have any offers at:
    https://my.roku.com/upgrade/

    • Jman4531's avatar
      Jman4531
      Binge Watcher
      2 years ago

      UPDATE: I tried to delete almost all apps from my Roku sticks and yet the problem persists. So… maybe not memory related as had been suggested by Tablo as one possible cause of the issue.

      • Jman4531's avatar
        Jman4531
        Binge Watcher
        2 years ago

        UPDATE: I had a 45+ minute chat session with a Roku customer service representative.

        It went like this: Change display from auto to 1080, Run software update, Restart Roku, Rep says try it now.

        Tablo low-res channels look good showing full screen (very nice). Try movie on HBO Max app HD movie showing nicely. Go back to Tablo low-res channels now reverts to appearing in an unwatchable small box in upper left corner of screen with remainder of screen bright green background.

        At this point my cell phone craps out and the chat with Roku rep is of course over.

        So… looks like Roku’s fix is change display settings EVERYTIME you want to watch low-res Tablo channel.

        That is not a fix!

  • vickiev's avatar
    vickiev
    Channel Surfer
    2 years ago

    I am on the same boat with three Roku sticks.
    We shouldn't have to update all of our sticks to 4k.
    IF that is the only solution, Roku should offer some sort of trade-in or rebate!
    Many are jumping ship and going over to to Firesticks, and I think I will do the same rather than dish out more $$ to Roku because they won't solve this problem! BS!!!

    • Jman4531's avatar
      Jman4531
      Binge Watcher
      2 years ago

      vickiev , renojim , RokuCarly 

      FYI: All off my Roku devices have now updated to version 13. Sad to say that the story remains the same, the 3800 series sticks still show 720/480 Tablo 4th Gen streams in tiny box in upper left corner  with remainder of screen bright green.

      Unfortunately, like a Schmuck,  I already updated 2 of my original 5 devices that were  having this issue, so transitioning to FireStick or other alternative device is not really a good option for me just now.

      IMHO Roku needs to admit this will never be fixed and offer a trade in deal.

  • vickiev's avatar
    vickiev
    Channel Surfer
    2 years ago

    I understand, and I do not want to switch necessarily, I want them to address the problem!
    You can have fire sticks on some tv's and roku on others, it doesn't have to be all the same.
    Firesticks are less expensive if I have to pay out of pocket to replace the 3 Roku sticks I already own.
    I was hoping that if Roku knew that customers were jumping ship, that they may address the problem finally. But it seems like they don't GAF.

    I've been doing some more trouble shooting. In my case ABC is the only main network channel that is exhibiting the problem, so I have been using that as my test subject.

    On my Roku TV which is less than a year old, all channels are fine. So your conclusion that the newer devices work fine, is also true with the Roku TV.

    As to my troubleshooting....I've found that if you watch live (on ABC and a few other minor networks such as MeTV and the like) the picture is stuck up in the left hand corner with the green screen surround, as pictured. BUT, if I tape a show on ABC, it plays back fine on all three of the affected TV's with the older sticks. In other words,  the whole screen is full.
    IDK if that additional info will help anyone at Roku who is trying to solve this (if they even are)

    I'll say again, that I would be ok with upgrading my sticks, but I am not, nor should I have to pay out of pocket! If Roku is not going to fix it, they should send a replacement, or a voucher.