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A maximized Picture-in-Picture window UN-maximizes itself and changes size.

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by sontst.chr

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While using Picture-in-Picture (PIP), after starting video playback and maximizing it by double clicking, the PIP window will randomly change its size to reflect the aspect ratio of the video its viewing. To put it another way: lets say I have a 16:9 aspect ratio monitor and I'm watching video that is 21:9 aspect ratio, I'm going to see those "black bars" on the top and bottom of the actual video area (the content between the top/bottom bars). Well when this PIP bug I'm experiencing happens the previously maximized PIP window comes UN-maximized all on its own and locks in on the actual video area. The result is a broken PIP window showing video area w/ black bars removed stuck on the upper ~2/3 of my screen and the desktop visible behind it in the lower ~1/3.

Furthermore a secondary effect seems to be the disabling of the double-click that would normally restore a maximized window to its lesser size, aka double-clicking wont minimize I have to use the top-right [x] button to close the PIP altogether.

So far I've experienced this problem on HULU, HBOMAX, and Amazon Prime Video. This bug presents randomly at any point during playback however I do notice it happening more often during the switching of opening production credit scenes that come at the start of a movie.

Is there some setting I can apply that would just lock the PIP into a maximized state?

While using Picture-in-Picture (PIP), after starting video playback and maximizing it by double clicking, the PIP window will randomly change its size to reflect the aspect ratio of the video its viewing. To put it another way: lets say I have a 16:9 aspect ratio monitor and I'm watching video that is 21:9 aspect ratio, I'm going to see those "black bars" on the top and bottom of the actual video area (the content between the top/bottom bars). Well when this PIP bug I'm experiencing happens the previously maximized PIP window comes UN-maximized all on its own and locks in on the actual video area. The result is a broken PIP window showing video area w/ black bars removed stuck on the upper ~2/3 of my screen and the desktop visible behind it in the lower ~1/3. Furthermore a secondary effect seems to be the disabling of the double-click that would normally restore a maximized window to its lesser size, aka double-clicking wont minimize I have to use the top-right [x] button to close the PIP altogether. So far I've experienced this problem on HULU, HBOMAX, and Amazon Prime Video. This bug presents randomly at any point during playback however I do notice it happening more often during the switching of opening production credit scenes that come at the start of a movie. Is there some setting I can apply that would just lock the PIP into a maximized state?

All Replies (4)

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I tested a bunch of different movies and shows on hulu amazon and hbo and every time this bug occurs its on a video with the aspect ratio black bars at top and bottom. I just feel like this means something.

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If I cant find aid on these community forums where could I go to maybe get official support?

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When you use PiP then you may not be able to maximize the window as Firefox will try to fit the using the width and gets the height via the aspect ratio or vice versa if the height won't fit. The dimensions of a PiP window are the dimensions of the player and you can only get a maximized or full screen window if the aspect ratio of the video matches the dimensions of the video and that will likely never be the case (computer screens tend to be 16:10 versus 16:9 for HD videos), so Firefox won't be able to make the player fit in maximized mode. This is different than maximizing a normal player via a full screen button on the player controls bar. You can't use PiP if you always want the player to fit the entire screen, so just maximize the monitor display that you want to show this video if you use multiple displays.

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cor-el said

When you use PiP then you may not be able to maximize the window as Firefox will try to fit the using the width and gets the height via the aspect ratio or vice versa if the height won't fit. The dimensions of a PiP window are the dimensions of the player and you can only get a maximized or full screen window if the aspect ratio of the video matches the dimensions of the video and that will likely never be the case (computer screens tend to be 16:10 versus 16:9 for HD videos), so Firefox won't be able to make the player fit in maximized mode. This is different than maximizing a normal player via a full screen button on the player controls bar. You can't use PiP if you always want the player to fit the entire screen, so just maximize the monitor display that you want to show this video if you use multiple displays.

Ah dang, this confirms what I was thinking. So I'm guessing there is no special about:config command parameter I can use to force the window to a set dimension/resolution/whatnot? Thanks.