How to Adjust Screen Size on Comcast Cable Box? Complete Guide

Are you asking how to adjust screen size on Comcast cable box? You’re in the right place since our guide has all the answers you need!

Whether the picture on your screen is large, small, stretched, or squished, you know there’s an issue that needs fixing.

There’s usually a setting or two that needs changing to watch your favorite shows at the most optimum display sizes.

To adjust the screen size displayed on your TV from the Comcast cable box, you’ll need to change the video output resolution. You have set your display resolution to a lower one than your TV can handle. Change it on the Video Display settings to 1080p or 2160p, depending on your TV.

Let’s take a closer look at screen sizes and why you want to change them to the perfect resolution for your TV.

Reasons to Adjust Screen Size

There are many reasons that you want to know how to adjust TV screen size Xfinity cable boxes.

Setting it wrong is not going to give you the best entertainment experience. You want to get it right to enjoy the content, whether you’re watching in Full HD or 4K.

1. Better Picture Detail

If your settings are wrong, your box is set to 480p, even 720p, and you’re going to miss a lot of detail. This is especially true if your TV can display resolutions of 1080p and 2160p.

2. Match Aspect Ratios

TV shows and movies are shot in different ways. The majority of Xfinity content is 16:9. However, there are exceptions and can show in 4:3. You want to make sure the content matches your settings.

3. Sharper Images

Using the wrong resolution can also affect screen size. A 480p picture has lesser pixels and, if not stretched, will appear incredibly small on a 1080p display.

4. Optimum Experience

Matching the input and output settings of the content you’re watching will offer you a better viewing experience. You don’t want to watch stretched or squished content that’s blurry.

If you’re wondering why you feel like you’re not getting the best viewing experience, you’re watching content in a different size as intended.

We can now proceed to the troubleshooting steps so you can get rid of this issue once and for all.

How to Adjust Screen Size on Comcast Cable Box – Solutions!

Before we proceed with the steps to adjust screen size on your Comcast box, you want to make sure that your TV can handle different resolutions.

At the very least, your TV needs to support 1080p. A TV with 4K resolution is ideal for watching all the content at its optimum display settings.

After you make sure that your TV has settings that support different display resolutions, we can proceed with the rest of the steps:

Solution #1: Change the Video Output Resolution

Changing display resolutions also affect the screen size. If you have a TV that’s 4K-capable and your cable box is only set to output at 480p, you can imagine there’s going to be a lot of space there.

Your TV can work around this, but if the difference is large, you will be watching a blurry movie or show.

You want to make sure that your cable box will output to a resolution close to what your TV can handle.

Here’s how to change it, so they match:

1. Go to your Comcast or Xfinity box’s settings.
2. Select Device Settings, then Video Display.
3. Click on Video Output Resolution.
4. Choose the 1080p60 HD option or better.

Pro Tip: If you have a 4K TV, you can select the 2160p30 HD or 2160p60 HD options.

Solution #2: Change the Display Zoom Settings

Whenever you’re watching a movie or any content, you can encounter black bars at the top, bottom, or sides.

This is called letterboxing, and filmmakers use it to avoid resizing the movie. One issue you’ll get is that if you don’t see this, especially when you’re watching a movie.

If this happens, the display settings are likely set so that the content is zoomed in. There’s nothing wrong with this, but there might be areas on the screen that you cannot watch.

Here’s how to change the zoom settings on your cable box:

1. On your remote, Push the Xfinity button.
2. Click on the gear to go into the settings.
3. Select Device Settings, then click on Video Display.
4. Go to Zoom and choose between Full or None.

Note: You can try out these settings to see which ones you like better. It will be down to preference, but if you have a larger TV, you want to choose no zoom.

Solution #3: Change the Aspect Ratio

Older programs are usually displayed on a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, older programs use 4:3.

The difference between these two sets of numbers means that they can appear stretched if you watch an old program on newer equipment and settings.

Here’s how to change the aspect ratio on your cable box:

1. Go to your cable box’s Settings.
2. Click on HDMI Setup.
3. Press OK to confirm.
4. Select Aspect Ratio.
5. Choose 4:3 for older content and 16:9 for new movies and shows.

Note: You can also choose Auto and let your box adjust the aspect ratio depending on the content it’s playing.

Solution #4: Change the HDMI Setup Settings

Your cable box will also have settings that control its HDMI setup. You can change that to adjust the screen size on your TV.

It’s important that you set this up correctly since using the wrong settings will not allow you to watch content at higher resolutions.

Here’s how to change the HDMI settings on your Comcast box:

1. Go to your Comcast box’s Settings.
2. Select HDMI Setup, then TV Output Resolution.
3. Choose 1080p, 1080i, or 720p for high-definition content.
4. Click on Apply to confirm your changes.

Tip: You can also choose Auto, but there are instances when it doesn’t adjust automatically. It’s best to leave the setting at higher resolutions.

Solution #5: Use HDMI Cable that Supports Higher Resolution

The type of HDMI cable is also a factor when it comes to the screen size of the content you’re watching on your TV. As long as you use the cable that comes with your cable box, you should be fine.

However, if you replaced it with an old one, especially one lying around your home, you want to double-check the type of cable you have.

Here’s how to check that you have the correct HDMI cable:

1. Ensure your HDMI cable is linked to your TV and cable box.
2. Set the resolution on your cable box to 1080p or 2160p.
3. Set the resolution on your TV to 1080p or 2160p.
4. Check if you can change your settings to higher resolutions.
5. If not, you will need to get new HDMI cables.

Note: We recommend using HDMI 1.4 or newer as this type can carry 1080p signals.

If none of these steps seem to work, you can contact Comcast or Xfinity support.

There could be a more serious error with your cable box, and it might need repair or replacement. They will be able to help you out if this is the case.

Read Next: Comcast On Demand Missing Episodes? (Fixed)

Bottom Line

Now that you know how to adjust screen size on Comcast cable box, you’ll be able to watch your favorite content at their optimum resolutions.

Nothing will bug you more than watching a movie that’s small, stretched, blurred, and pixelated. So, follow these steps so you can resolve this issue as soon as possible.