Video Snaps/Screensavers Black Bars

[SamuraiX51]

@mitu My apologies. The most recent I've tried is Dragon's Lair I-II and Space Ace for Daphne. I downloaded them from ScreenScraper after this issue started. Bars on the 4.5 build, none of the 4.4.8 build.

I tested Dragon's Lair with ffmpeg:

ffmpeg -i /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/daphne/media/videos/lair.mp4
ffmpeg version 3.2.14-1~deb9u1+rpt1 Copyright (c) 2000-2019 the FFmpeg developers
  built with gcc 6.3.0 (Raspbian 6.3.0-18+rpi1+deb9u1) 20170516
  configuration: --prefix=/usr --extra-version='1~deb9u1+rpt1' --toolchain=hardened --libdir=/usr/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf --incdir=/usr/include/arm-linux-gnueabihf --enable-gpl --disable-stripping --enable-avresample --enable-avisynth --enable-gnutls --enable-ladspa --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libbs2b --enable-libcaca --enable-libcdio --enable-libebur128 --enable-libflite --enable-libfontconfig --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopus --enable-libpulse --enable-librubberband --enable-libshine --enable-libsnappy --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libssh --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-libx265 --enable-libxvid --enable-libzmq --enable-libzvbi --enable-omx --enable-omx-rpi --enable-mmal --enable-openal --enable-opengl --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdc1394 --enable-libiec61883 --arch=armhf --enable-chromaprint --enable-frei0r --enable-libopencv --enable-libx264 --enable-shared
  libavutil      55. 34.101 / 55. 34.101
  libavcodec     57. 64.101 / 57. 64.101
  libavformat    57. 56.101 / 57. 56.101
  libavdevice    57.  1.100 / 57.  1.100
  libavfilter     6. 65.100 /  6. 65.100
  libavresample   3.  1.  0 /  3.  1.  0
  libswscale      4.  2.100 /  4.  2.100
  libswresample   2.  3.100 /  2.  3.100
  libpostproc    54.  1.100 / 54.  1.100
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/daphne/media/videos/lair.mp4':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : isom
    minor_version   : 512
    compatible_brands: isomiso2avc1mp41
    creation_time   : 1970-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z
    encoder         : Lavf53.2.0
  Duration: 00:00:43.17, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 943 kb/s
    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p, 640x480 [SAR 1:1 DAR 4:3], 810 kb/s, 30 fps, 30 tbr, 30 tbn, 60 tbc (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 1970-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z
      handler_name    : VideoHandler
    Stream #0:1(und): Audio: aac (LC) (mp4a / 0x6134706D), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 127 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 1970-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z
      handler_name    : SoundHandler
At least one output file must be specified

[SamuraiX51]

When I moved this Pi from a bigger TV to the one I'm currently using, I had overscan issues. I used EazyHax Toolkit Overscan Disable to resolve the issue, but that was when I had 4.4.8, and had no issues thereafter until I updated to 4.5.

[mitu]

@SamuraiX51 Can you post your /boot/config.txt ? We have a report in the forum about overscan settings being ignored/changed with the recent 4.5 update, it might have the same cause - the change in kernel/firmware introduced in the new version.

You can also try the advice from the post 4.5 info post and downgrade your current kernel/firmware to see if fixes the issue.

[SamuraiX51]

@mitu I'll look into the post. Thank you!

config.txt:

# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
#####disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
#overscan_left=16
#overscan_right=16
#overscan_top=16
#overscan_bottom=16

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=1280
#framebuffer_height=720

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_mode=1

# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
#config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2

#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable the lirc-rpi module
#dtoverlay=lirc-rpi

# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on
gpu_mem_256=128
gpu_mem_512=256
gpu_mem_1024=256
overscan_scale=1
enable_uart=1

# Disable onboard Bluetooth and WiFI
dtoverlay=pi3-disable-bt

[SamuraiX51]

@mitu I downgraded the kernel/firmware as per the post you linked. Same issue with Video Snaps. I even re-uploaded a few working videos just to confirm, and same thing.

It seems like some sort of resolution/overscan issue in the players themselves, but only when accessing the snaps to preview or for screensaver. Does Video Splash Screens also use VLC or OMX? I just retested the few I have, and they play without issue from the Splash Screens menu. I also renamed one and put it in my roms folder, and it displays with the black bars in EmulationStation.

[mitu]

@SamuraiX51 said in Video Snaps/Screensavers Black Bars:

It seems like some sort of resolution/overscan issue in the players themselves, but only when accessing the snaps to preview or for screensaver. Does Video Splash Screens also use VLC or OMX? I just retested the few I have, and they play without issue from the Splash Screens menu. I also renamed one and put it in my roms folder, and it displays with the black bars in EmulationStation.

The splashscreen (video) uses omxplayer to play the video. You configuration file (that you posted) doesn't have any overscan settings, so it's not the overscan that I was thinking that was causing the problem, but the firmware version.

[SamuraiX51]

@mitu Thanks for working with me on this! Words cannot express how much help you've been! I thought I originally did something to cause this issue by misclicking/mistyping in some random config file after the update. I really love this community and plan to give back--I've been working on some missing art for a few games for screenscraper.fr, and have some ideas for a custom theme.

Do you currently have any suggestions for the firmware, or should I just wait for an update?

[mitu]

@SamuraiX51 I was going to try and reproduce the error based on your overscan settings, but you have none. Try removing overscan_scale=1 from your config file and see if your image runs at 1080p straight. It might cause some overscan in Emulationstation, but you can revert back if that's the case.

[SamuraiX51]

@mitu That fixed the issue with the video snaps/screensavers (no more black bars or pixilation); however, as you said, EmulationStation has major overscan now.

I may be able to change the video settings on the tv, though.

[mitu]

@SamuraiX51 Try adjusting the overscan then - [https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Overscan/] - thought if you manage to use the TV settings it would be best. Is you TV set to Game mode for the connection to the RPI ?

[SamuraiX51]

@mitu The TV had a previously greyed-out "Fit to Screen" option. Once I removed overscan_scale=1 and rebooted, the option was made available. Everything is now looking perfect, and is working as intended.

You are a gentleman and a scholar, and I would consider this issue resolved. Thank you, once again.

[mitu]

@SamuraiX51 Glad you got it sorted out and good luck with your artwork project - I'm sure it will be appreciated.