Picture format in HD

 I have just upgraded to HD using Iberosat HD 7000 box.  The picture on ITV 1 HD is grat in letterbox format, but no matter what setting I use on the digi box (I am using auto on ITV 1 &16:9 on Samsung LED) the picture is full screen on BBC 1 HD , which gives everyone long faces.  Any ideas ?

You need to set both the TV and satellite box to 16:9

Auto will not help.

And it also depends on how the channels themselves transmit the programmes. Some so it 16:9, some do it with 16:9 but with bars top and bottom, which if the latter, then the "auto" setting will strecth the picture to remove the black bars.

The black bars are there for a reason...to help you see the full picture.

 Thankd for the info.  If I set the digi box & the tv to 16:9 then BBC 1 HD has black bands either side of a tall picture & ITV 1 HD is full screen.  Is 16:9 supposed to fill the whole screen? If I dowmload a program from the net it plays with a black band top & bottom.

Is 16:9 supposed to fill the whole screen?

No as it all depends on what is being transmited, as there are a number of formats. So even in 16:9 you may still get black bars at the top and bottom of the picture, as the broadcsater is trying to show you more of the image.

If I set the digi box & the tv to 16:9 then BBC 1 HD has black bands either side of a tall picture & ITV 1 HD is full screen

Very strange.Something is autoformattinging the picture and stretching it, maybe some form of automatic "black bar" removal?