Help and information about our TV channels
Search FAQs about the Channel 4 organisation and TV channels
Find FAQ by section
Related FAQ results
-
This is a new format, and some UHDTV’s have appeared on the market. Sometime people call this “4K”. The picture size is even greater than HD, and is increased from 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels tall (HD) to 3840 pixels wide by 2160 pixels tall (UHD). That’s about four times more definition.
This is in its infancy, and although there are TV’s on the market, there is not yet a transmission method that broadcasters can use, but there is a great deal of development of this new technology. -
Original HDTV programming is made in the 16x9 (1.78) aspect ratio, which fits the dimensions of HDTVs which are Widescreen. However, many theatrically released films are made in either the 1.85 or 2.35 aspect ratio, which is even wider than the 16x9 (1.78) aspect ratios of HDTVs.
Therefore, when viewing these films on an HDTV (if presented in their original theatrical aspect ratio) - you will see black bars at the top and bottom on your 16x9 screen, because we like to show you the film way it was meant to be seen on the cinema-screen. For upconverted legacy 4x3 programmes , you will sometimes see black bars on the left and right.
-
Where we can acquire a programme or a film with surround sound, we use it. This tends to be movies, and blockbuster U.S series. More recently there have been a few UK programmes delivered with surround sound.
-
High definition (HD or HDTV) is a different (and newer) standard of digital television broadcasting which offers sharper, more detailed pictures and surround sound. HD broadcasting first began to appear in the UK in 2006/2007, and is now widely available on:
• Freeview HD
• Sky HD
• Freesat HD
• Virgin HD
• YouView Box -
The content of films and acquired programmes shown on television must comply with Ofcom Broadcasting Code (Ofcom is the regulator for television in the UK). No film refused classification by the BBFC can be broadcast, unless it has subsequently been classified or the BBFC have confirmed that it would not be rejected according to the standards currently operating.
The Ofcom Code may also mean that changes can be required to permit more flexible scheduling. Of course, if this is necessary, every effort is made to make changes sensitively and in such a way that the audience experience is not compromised.
-
It is likely you've accidentally turned the audio description option on which is a service for blind viewers. Check your accessibility options. If you continue to have issues, please contact us letting us know what you were watching and on what platform (Freeview, Freesat or C4 streaming).
-
If you put your post code into the search box HERE - it will let you know whether you can receive Freeview and what channels, in your area. Alternativesly you can contact Freeview directly via their website or by phone on 03456 50 50 50.
-
More4 launched at 8pm on Monday 10 October 2005 and features a host of the best in factual programming. More4 is available on:
Freeview - Channel 18,
Virgin Media - HD 147, SD 347,
Freesat - Channel 124 (+1 on channel 125),
Sky - HD 136, SD 236.
-
Film4 is available on channel 14 on Freeview and you can also get Film4+1 on channel 47 if you have an HD Freeview box.
-
Some of our old films have rather poor quality optical sound tracks. Many viewers find the original dynamic range of cinema films excessive so this is often reduced prior to transmission. This has the effect of further increasing the background noise in quiet passages. To counter this various types of audio processing are sometimes applied to reduce the background noise. Unfortunately this often has to be a compromise between noise and intelligibility. Other suggestions are to investigate the sound adjustments available on the TV and if available to try the effect boosting the high frequencies (treble) and cutting the low frequencies (bass) to improve intelligibility.
Not found the answer you were looking for?