Panel & Backlight
Overscan & Aspect Ratio Test
Edge markers, circles and a grid to catch cropping, stretching and distortion.
▶ Start full-screen testOverscan border← / → or tap the sides to switch · Esc to exit
How to use
- 1Open the page on the device connected to the TV or projector, then click Start.
- 2Overscan border: the outermost colored frame you can see all the way round is how much is being cropped — 0% means nothing is.
- 3Aspect ratio (→): the circles must look perfectly round and the square square.
- 4Geometry grid (→): lines should be straight and evenly spaced. Use it to line up a projector.
- 5Press Esc to exit.
FAQ
What is overscan?
Many TVs still enlarge the picture by a few percent and crop the edges — a habit left over from analog broadcasts. It cuts off taskbars and menus and softens the image. Look for a picture-size setting called Just Scan, Screen Fit, Fit to Screen, 1:1 or Overscan Off.
The circles look oval — what's wrong?
The picture is being stretched. Set the TV or projector's picture size to 16:9 or its native/Original mode, and check that your computer's output resolution matches the screen's aspect ratio.
Tips
- Each TV input can have its own picture-size setting, so test the input you actually use.
- On a projector, set keystone and lens shift with the geometry grid before focusing.
Related tests
Dead Pixel TestFull-screen solid colors to find dead, stuck, and bright pixels.Open test→Backlight BleedReveal LCD backlight leakage and IPS glow in a dark room.Open test→Brightness UniformityA 50% gray field, a 9-zone grid and a panning gray to spot uneven backlighting.Open test→Blooming TestA bright object on black to judge local-dimming halos.Open test→
Related guides
Learn more about what this test reveals and how to act on the results.
How to Test a New TV for Dead Pixels and UniformityUse your TV's browser or a phone to run solid-color and gray tests that reveal panel defects and dirty-screen effect.PPI and Pixel Density: How Sharp Is Sharp Enough?Resolution alone doesn't tell you how sharp a screen looks — pixel density and viewing distance do. Here's how to work out what you need.