Fix IPTV Wrong Aspect Ratio or Stretched Picture
When your IPTV picture looks stretched, squashed, or has black bars when it shouldn't, the issue is usually aspect ratio mismatch between the source, app, and TV settings.
Common Symptoms
- ▸ Picture looks horizontally stretched (people look fat)
- ▸ Picture looks vertically stretched (people look tall and skinny)
- ▸ Black bars on sides that shouldn't be there
- ▸ Image is zoomed in too much, cutting off edges
- ▸ Different channels have different aspect ratio issues
Why This Happens
- ▸ IPTV app aspect ratio setting not matching source
- ▸ TV aspect ratio set incorrectly
- ▸ Streaming device resolution not matching TV
- ▸ Source channel broadcasting in different aspect ratio
- ▸ Zoom or crop settings enabled somewhere
Quick Fixes
Try these solutions first - they resolve most issues.
Cycle through aspect ratio options in your IPTV app
Set TV picture size to 'Fit to Screen' or '16:9'
Check streaming device display resolution settings
Try 'Auto' aspect ratio option if available
Reset TV picture settings to default
Device-Specific Instructions
Note: Menu paths may vary slightly depending on your app version and device manufacturer.
Amazon Firestick
IPTV app aspect ratio
In TiviMate: while watching, press OK > Aspect Ratio > try each option: Fit, Fill, 16:9, 4:3, Auto
Tip: Cycle until picture looks correct
Check Firestick resolution
Settings > Display & Sounds > Display > Video Resolution > Set to Auto or match your TV's native resolution
Tip: Usually 1080p or 4K
TV aspect ratio
Using TV remote, press picture size/aspect button, or go to Picture Settings > Aspect Ratio > set to 16:9 or Auto
Tip: TV overrides Firestick settings
Disable overscan
Firestick Settings > Display & Sounds > Display > Calibrate Display > adjust so arrows touch edges
Tip: Overscan causes zooming
Per-channel setting
If only some channels are wrong, set aspect ratio individually while watching each
Tip: Some channels broadcast 4:3
Android TV / Nvidia Shield
App aspect ratio
While watching in IPTV app, look for aspect ratio option in playback menu. Try Auto, 16:9, Fit, Fill
Tip: Each app has different menu location
System display settings
Settings > Device Preferences > Display > Resolution > Match your TV's native resolution
Tip: Incorrect resolution causes stretching
TV picture size
Use TV remote to access Picture Settings > Picture Size/Aspect > 16:9 or Just Scan
Tip: Avoid Zoom or Wide modes
HDMI settings
Some TVs: Settings > HDMI > HDMI ratio > Full or 16:9
Tip: HDMI-specific aspect control
Video player settings
In app, look for Video or Player settings. Set scaling to Fit or Original
Tip: Player may have separate setting
Smart TV (Samsung/LG)
TV aspect ratio
TV remote > Picture Size or Aspect Ratio button (if available) > Select 16:9 or Auto
Tip: Quickest fix
Picture settings
Settings > Picture > Picture Size Settings > Set to 16:9 or Fit to Screen
Tip: Samsung calls it 'Picture Size'
Just Scan mode
Settings > Picture > Picture Size > Just Scan or 1:1 Pixel Mapping > Enable
Tip: Shows picture without TV processing
App settings
In IPTV app, look for Video, Display, or Aspect Ratio settings
Tip: Smart TV apps have fewer options
Reset picture
Settings > Picture > Reset Picture Settings if nothing else works
Tip: Reverts to factory defaults
Pro Tips
- ★ Most content is 16:9 - if you see black bars on sides, channel may be 4:3 (old format)
- ★ Movies often have black bars on top/bottom - this is correct for widescreen films
- ★ 'Fit' shows full image with possible bars, 'Fill' stretches to fill screen
- ★ TiviMate remembers aspect ratio per channel - set once and it's saved
When to Contact Your Provider
- ▶ Aspect ratio issues are display settings - not provider issues
- ▶ Only contact if the source itself is incorrectly encoded (very rare)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some channels have black bars on the sides?
These channels are broadcasting in 4:3 aspect ratio (old TV format). This is intentional - the alternative would be stretching the image which looks worse. You can use 'Zoom' or 'Fill' to remove bars but people will look stretched.
Why do movies have black bars on top and bottom?
This is the correct cinematic aspect ratio (usually 2.35:1 or 2.40:1). Movies are shot wider than 16:9 TVs. The black bars (letterboxing) preserve the director's intended framing. Using Zoom would cut off sides of the image.