Features, settings & updates

[AhmedE]

I keep a few older game consoles hooked up to my TV. All are older systems that were designed before widescreen TVs existed. Their native aspect ratio is 4:3, not 16:9. In the last two days, I have noticed that when I turn the TV's inputs to the ones these older systems use, the image is stretched to something more akin to 16:9.

The picture looks stretched out and distorted like this. I have checked everywhere I can think off. It is like 4:3 is no longer supported. Has Roku abandoned support for the 4:3 aspect ratio? If yes, I think that it was a bad idea to do so. Games on these older systems would be uncomfortable to look at in 16:9 resolution. Please restore 4:3 if support for it has been dropped.

[RokuEmmanuel-D]

Hey there, @AhmedE.

We're glad to have you here in the Roku Community!

It's great you reached out to us about the issue you have encountered with the aspect ratio of your Roku when playing games, and we'd like to address this. 

Can you send us a photo of it and the model number of your Roku TV so we can take a closer look? 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
The Roku Community Team

[AhmedE]

The TV is a Hisense TV model 6Series-43. The TV's Hardware ID is G209X with a serial number of X0190099J83U.

This is the image from a Playstation 2. The console can be set for either 4:3 or 16:9. I have it set for 4:3 because that is the aspect ratio all of my PS2 games were designed for. The PS2 is connected to the TV via A/V input.

This is the picture from an original Super Nintendo. The system is designed for 4:3 and only 4:3. It doesn't have a toggle setting for 16:9. The SNES is connected to the TV via the coax port.

This is how wide the pictures above are actually supposed to be, In this case, the TV is tuned into HULU via the app. The show shown (an episode the original Thundercats from the 1980s) displays correctly via HULU.

[SuperNatetendo]

Right now, it seems as if some update made it so AV inputs now automatically stretch when on "Direct" ? I've tried everything to fix this. Is there some way this can be reverted to the old behavior?

[RokuEmmanuel-D]

Thanks for sharing this, @SuperNatetendo!

We see that you're having trouble with your Roku, and we'd like to dig a little deeper into your concern.

To help us understand better, could you send us a photo for a closer look?

We'll wait for your response!

Best,
The Roku Community Team

[teeawgo]

I'm having the same issue... Can the developers please give back the 4:3 aspect ratio as an option in an update? The stretched image looks horrible.

[RokuEmmanuel-D]

Hey everyone!

Looks like you’re having some issues with the aspect ratio on your Roku TV. Let’s see if we can figure this out together.

To help us investigate further, could you provide your device details?

• Roku device model, serial number, device ID, and Software Version. (these can all be found in Settings > System > About)
• Tracker ID (Press the Home button five times, followed by the Back button five times)

Please get back to us soon!

Best,
The Roku Community Team

[Kingblake]

I am having the same issue.

Model Hisense 6Series-58 G204X Roku TV

Serial X01900HHEVSK (S08C725HEVSK)

HW ID G204X

SOFT VERSION 14.1 build 7709-CH

Tracker ID SK-133-812

[easytodobetter]

@RokuEmmanuel-D

Are you new to troubleshooting? You're acting like this is a bug that needs to be reproduced.

You're asking for "evidence" that's unnecessary, you can easily reproduce this issue yourself with a 4:3 device.

It's a feature, or lack thereof.

You're just giving people the run-around by asking these useless questions that will go nowhere.

You're either going to offer support for 4:3 again or not.

[EddieSpuhghetti]

I'm experiencing the same issue and convinced it's due to a bug in the latest software OS. I'm using a TCL tv and it's stretching out my VCR's image while on Direct mode. I tried a new AV cable, no luck. Even an HDMI converter is doing the same. I spoke with Roku support who transferred me to TCL support who attempted to direct me to contact the manufacturer of my VCR as it was likely due to an "update with the VCR". 

Not a fix, but you can trick the TV into maintaining the aspect ratio in two different "slot machine" ways on a VCR:
- If you're attempting to use an RCA input game system, plug it into a VCR and flip between the input and channel 3 on your VCR repeatedly. You'll eventually get it where the screen maintains the 4:3 aspect ratio (it may take several tries, but it works).
- Video tape is a bit trickier: fast forwarding while playing will allow you to see the aspect ratio change. Hit play to resume the tape and you may luck with it keeping the proper aspect ratio.