Whether you are a longtime Dish customer or recently acquired it, you are probably wondering how to get rid of small screen on TV Dish?
The small screen on Dish TV usually occurs due to the invalid screen format, and screen formats are usually a subjective thing.
When it comes to screen formatting, you get four options on Dish, including normal, stretch, zoom and partial zoom. If you want to get rid of small screen on Dish TV, the best format for you is “Zoom” because, in this format, the image goes all the way from edge to edge.
While some viewers prefer watching TV with black bars, others may not prefer to see any black bars on the screen.
In this article, we will discuss different methods that you can follow to get full screen on Dish TV.
Why You Are Getting Small Screen on Dish TV
Dish Network is one of the best American television service providers. It offers several devices, including Dish receiver, Hopper, Joey, and ViP receiver.
Sometimes, connecting your Dish device with the TV causes a “small screen” error. Here are some of the reasons why this error occurs:
1. Normal Format
One of the most common reasons that you get a small screen on your Dish TV is because it is set to normal formatting.
In normal formatting, your receiver does not change anything and creates black bars on your TV.
2. Stretch Format
Another reason that causes small screen on Dish TV is stretch formatting. In stretch format, your receiver copies the picture format of your older TV and paste it on the new one.
So, if you attach it to a widescreen TV, the picture won’t be able to go all the way from top to bottom.
3. Technical Error
If you use an old Dish receiver with your brand-new TV, it’s a possibility that your receiver won’t be able to offer the required formatting options.
As a result, it will either cut off some of the pictures or create black bars on your TV.
It is worth noting that there are four types of picture formatting options on Dish.
Other than normal and stretch, you also get zoom and partial zoom. In partial zoom, your receiver zooms in too much to cover all the pixels and cuts off some of the pictures.
How to Get Rid of Small Screen on TV Dish – Methods
Now that you know the difference between different screen formats available on Dish, it’s time to get rid of small screen on Dish TV.
If you want to know how to get full screen on Dish TV, below, we have compiled a list of effective methods that you can try out:
Method #1 Manual Screen Adjustments
Let’s start with the most effective method. To use this method, all you need is a Dish receiver and a Dish remote control.
Whether you want to get full screen on your Dish TV or prefer some black bars, this method is perfect for you.
To adjust your Dish screen manually, follow the following steps:
- Press the “Home” or “Menu” button.
- Go to “Settings” then select the “TV” icon located in the left corner
- Click on “Adjust Screen”
- Make adjustment with arrow keys on your remote.
- Click on the “Select” button on the remote.
If you have a touchpad you can press down the center on the screen. That’s it.
With these six simple steps, you will be able to adjust your screen according to your needs.
This method is effective in both scenarios, whether you want to get rid of small screen or prefer some black bars on your Dish TV.
Tip: The TV icon is quite useful; it helps you set resolution, aspect ratio and adjust the screen for an optimum viewing experience.
Method #2 Use “Zoom” Format
Another method to get full screen on Dish TV is by using the “Zoom” format.
This method is quite simple and straightforward. All you have to do is follow these steps to get “Zoom” format on your TV:
- Turn on your TV
- Press the “Format” button on your remote.
- A screen should appear that shows your current format.
- Go to your “Current Format” and click “Select” on it.
- It will show you four options: Normal, Stretch, Zoom, and Partial Zoom
- Select “Zoom” if you want to get full screen on Dish TV
In most Dish remote controls the Format button is usually located at the lower left on the remote control near the button “7.” In older remote controls it’s at the bottom.
Once you have selected the “Zoom” format, there will be no black bars on your screen.
Tip: we recommend the “Zoom” format because it fits perfectly on all televisions without cutting any part of the picture.
Method #3 Adjust ViP Receiver’s Format
If you got a ViP reviewer with your Dish TV, you might need to adjust its format to get rid of small screen.
Unlike other receivers, the ViP receiver comes with five formatting options: Normal, Stretch, Zoom, Partial Zoom, and Grey Bar.
The grey bars are the same as black ones but with grey color. You can get rid of the grey bars by setting full screen on your ViP receiver. To get full screen on your ViP receiver, follow these steps:
- Turn on Your TV
- Click on the “Format” button on the remote control
- Change the “Grey Bar” setting to “Zoom.”
With these three simple steps, you will be able to get a full screen on your Dish ViP receiver.
Note: Besides “Zoom,” other formatting options create black bars or cut off some of the images from top and bottom.
Therefore, if you watch sport or news channels, we recommend using Zoom format.
If you don’t like black bars on your TV and don’t want to cut off the image, the zoom option is the best format for you. It is effective and goes all the way from edge to edge.
Still Unable to Get Rid of Small Screen on Dish TV?
With the above-mentioned methods, we are sure you’ll be able to get full screen on your Dish TV.
However, if, for some reason, you still have small screen error on Dish TV, what should you do?
If it’s a formatting error, the troubleshooting methods should be enough for you. However, if you are still not getting full screen on your TV, it’s probably because you have an older Dish receiver. Try to connect a new Dish receiver on your TV or contact the Dish service provider for more assistance.
Read Next: How to Get Local Channels on Dish?
Conclusion
For most of us, the black bars on the TV screen are quite irritating.
To eliminate black bars, above, we have mentioned some of the most effective methods about how to get rid of small screen on TV Dish.
The best way to get a full screen on Dish TV is by manual adjustment. With this method, you can adjust your Dish receiver according to your TV and preferences.
However, if manual adjustments are not working for you, the “Zoom” format is the best option for you. It can fit the image from edge to edge without cutting off the picture.
Happy Viewing!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.