My TV is a 16:9 Panasonic TX-32PD50D connected via component (576p 50Hz) and composite interface.
All my video material are DVDs in ISO image format read from a Synology NAS.
Since 1.05.04_V I have problems with the aspect ration. Although the TV is a 16:9 CRT, the 16:9 video material will be shown with
black bars on top and bottom using component signal; all looks crushed/compressed in vertical (flat heads)
black bars on the left and right using composite signal; here the correct vertical/horizontal ratio is used but the picture is simply to small.
current 2 workarounds:
1) Before showing the video do settings → Audio/Video → toggle Apsect Ratio from Widescreen to Normal and back from Normal to Widescreen
In the video list change to preview mode → right key and click enter … but this works only for me since my DVD ISO do not have any menues which will not be shown with this playback start…
I don’t think that there is too much you can do about this except to keep using your workarounds. It might be a lot better to roll back the firmware to the previous version that was working for you.
I use a CRT Tv and component connection too. The new firmware was the first ever to screw up the aspect ratio of 4:3 material. I’ve found a cure though: you need to reset the WDTV Live to factory defaults by sticking a pin into a little hole on the side. You’ll have to re-do all the settings again but the aspect ratio went back to normal.
I still use the 1.05.04-V but I am not sure I won’t roll back to some previous firmware. I don’t see any meaningful improvements and I’m getting a feeling that the player became buggier.
It was a overhasty decision to mark this thread solved.
But the problem with the wrong aspect ratio persists and reoccured once the WD tv live gets powered-off (unplugged from power). So, going back to the previous firmware seems to be the only solution.
07/04/2011: Found the way to switch back the thread into unsolved state.
I am also using the composite out on both my sets ( I still have 2 36’ tubes ) and have the same problem with the units changing the ratio after every power cycle, also am using the WD Live Media Player running Firmware 1.05.04_V downstairs and the WD TV Live Plus HD Media Player using Firmware 1.05.04_B upstairs, same problem with both. Reverted both back to 1.04.31_V & 1.04.31B and patiently awaiting the next release… (someone get that solved tag off)