Aspect Ratio Problems - Philips Ambilight

Plex Players Smart TVs
1

I’ve just got my first Android TV, a Philips Ambilight 75PUS7803/12. I’ve been using Plex on my Samsung Smart TV for over a year with absolutely no problems, however on this Philips TV I’m having very strange issues with the aspect ratio.

Some films and TV shows, but not all, are squished vertically. For example if there are black bars at the top and bottom playing on the web app and on my Samsung TV, the black bars double in size and the footage is condensed on the Philips. These are the exact same files using the exact same server.

Server Version#: Version 1.14.1.5488 installed on WDMyCloud Mirror
Player Version#: 7.12.2.2.9471

Has anyone encountered this before or could anyone offer any advice? It’s driving me crazy!

1 Like
2

I’m “glad” I’m not the only one with this problem. I have Philips 55PUS8303 and most of the movies are now unwatchable. 3 month ago I still played many of them on Sony Bravia 55 KDL-W808C (2015) and the aspect ratio was just fine. Now the majority of movies are shown in 1.85:1 ration or perhaps even 2.39:1. I tried with VLC player where the aspect ratio can be adjusted but the audio is out of sync :-(.

3

Hi again. Try to install new firmware manually (107.0.230.0). It solved the problem for me :slight_smile:

→ Philips: Neue Firmware für 2017/2018er TVs mit Android TV 8 Oreo (TPM171E: 107.0.230.0) - Toengels Philips Blog

3 Likes
4

That fixed it, thank you so much! Amazing! :grin:

Hopefully they’ll roll it out properly soon so everyone else can automatically get it

5

65pus8602 same problem for me, imax and tv shows display normally, 21:9 content gets squished

6

Try the solution posted by mpajer above. It worked for me!

7

I might, but i see that the firmware on the link above is called
TPM171E_107.0.230.0 and my current is has a R in it.

TPM171E_R107.0.223.0

1 Like
8

The file inside the zip is called “autorun-TPM171E_R.107.000.230.000.upg”

9

I have the same prblem. I try to reinstall the firmware but the Android system tell me that it can’t be downgrade or install the same version, so… I cant try your solution.

I use the factory reset but the problem stay on…

This is my Andorid version

107.000.222.001

Other applications like VLC works well.

1 Like
10

I have exactly the same problem on my 65OLED873/12.
Plex has always worked great until the last update in which the aspect ratio has halved and any film is now unwatchable. The plex TV and app are updated to the latest versions available. How to solve?

1 Like
11

hi there

update for those who have a philips andorid tv.
if you search for the plex server via “network” and not from the plex player everything works fine.
no double bar is displayed and the content retains its aspect ratio

there is a problem with Plex player?

12

Hi
55POS9002/05 owner here with exactly the same problem. I’ve tried casting from my phone using the Plex app and get the same squashed aspect ratio. I’m running the latest Android software on the TV (Oreo).
I’m having to watch my Plex films on my PC :frowning:

13

I had the same problem after the android update. I just made the firmware update and it works. thank you so much mpager

14

Have the same issue. Can’t update the tv over usb, because he wont let me load the same Software…

15

Hi, I have the same issue too.

Also I can’t update the TV because the last drivers are installed.

16

Hi, also have the same issue with double black bars on my 55POS9002.

Things tried;

  • Installed PM171E_107.0.230.0 - no change.
  • Reinstalled TV (menu option) - no change.
  • Reinstalled TV again - no change.

Aspect ratio is fine when;

  • Playing using Media app and browsing the plex server, as suggested by @strike_c.
  • Casting from iOS Plex app using Google Cast. (Plex remote in the app does not work).

To me it seams like this is an issue with the player app on Android TV 8.

I also got big issues with audio passthrough (tv setting) with Oreo, that gives a few seconds of out of sync audio - way past whats correctable with all the available settings.

17

Hello
Same problem for me with a Philips 55POS9002/12
The firmware is updated to latest version, released March, 3rd. Tried to uninstall and reinstall the Plex app but the wrong aspect ratio problem persists.

And as others said, all was fine before the latest Philips Android / firmware update
Maybe it’s the Plex app that has to be updated

All my movies are on a QNAP NAS and they are played with correct A/R by other media players on the same TV, e.g. Serviio

This really need an update from Philips and/or Plex

18

Confirm, the 107.000.230.000 works

19

To reinstall the latest firmware you have to download it and copy the file inside the .zip to an USB drive. Insert the usb stick in the tv and the installation will start automatically.
I just did that and it fixed the issue.

20

@mpajer Thank you. Just installed the firmware and it works like a charm. Phew, i was going nuts over the weird shaped aspect ratio.