IMA SDK placement of "Ad: ..." text is far outside of title safe region

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Dan

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Jul 10, 2025, 12:43:16 PMJul 10
to Interactive Media Ads SDK
Many HD and 4k TVs have overscan enabled as part of the default settings, which results in the edges of the image being cropped.  And few people turn off the overscan on their TV because they are unaware of it.

TVs with overscan do not fully show the "Ad: ..." text that is positioned by the IMA SDK because the IMA SDK positions this text far outside of the title safe region.

See:
https://www.nab.org/xert/scitech/pdfs/tv031510.pdf
"The Safe Title Area is defined as a rectangle that is 90% of the width and 90% of the height of the Production Aperture"

Here is an attached image that shows the IMA SDK placement:
ad_text.png
"Ad: ..." is placed roughly 5 pixels from the left border on this 1280x720 capture, which is less than .5% of the width. Notice the broadcaster's positioning of the "Discovery" logo by comparison.

Here is an example of the " Ad: ..." placement on a TV with overscan:
20250526_123758.jpg

tl;dr: To allow TVs with overscan to fully display the "Ad: ..." text it should be positioned within the title safe region.

We are using IMA Android SDK version 3.35.1
(com.google.ads.interactivemedia.v3:interactivemedia:3.35.1)


IMA SDK

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Jul 10, 2025, 6:09:01 PMJul 10
to dgille...@gmail.com, ima...@googlegroups.com
Hi,
I will raise this request with the wider team and will notify you once I receive any updates. Meanwhile, your patience is important.

Thanks,
 
Google Logo IMA SDK Team

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[2025-07-10 22:08:50Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01svId0:ref" (ADR-00318270)



IMA SDK

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Aug 11, 2025, 2:51:28 AMAug 11
to ima...@googlegroups.com, dgille...@gmail.com

Hi,

Could you please provide the TV models and screen sizes where the issue occurs, particularly those that have overscan enabled by default, which results in the edges of the image being cropped? Also, if possible, please share a Charles log that captures the network traffic.

Kindly provide the requested details via Reply privately to author option 

If the file(s) you are looking to share are less than 25mb in total you can attach them to this case on your next reply. If you are having trouble attaching your file to this case or if your file(s) are larger than 25mb, you can share your files with me by performing the following steps:

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[2025-08-11 06:51:18Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01svId0:ref" (ADR-00318270)



IMA SDK

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Aug 13, 2025, 7:25:52 AMAug 13
to ima...@googlegroups.com, dgille...@gmail.com
Hi,

Just wanted to know whether you received our previous response ?

Could you please provide the TV models and screen sizes where the issue occurs, particularly those that have overscan enabled by default, which results in the edges of the image being cropped? Also, if possible, please share a Charles log that captures the network traffic.

If the file(s) you are looking to share are less than 25mb in total you can attach them to this case on your next reply. If you are having trouble attaching your file to this case or if your file(s) are larger than 25mb, you can share your files with me by performing the following steps:

1. Navigate to

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkAiXMeYP-fw1W3Z-tT9uwmATEKO5X6S-th0gR2ezdKaaqfg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.400550049=IMA+SDK&entry.460850823=500Ht00001svId0IAE&entry.80707362=00318270

2. Fill out all fields, and attach your file(s).

3. Please reply back on this thread when you have uploaded your file(s). Please do not share this link.

Thanks,
 
Google Logo IMA SDK Team

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[2025-08-13 11:25:40Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01svId0:ref" (ADR-00318270)



Dan

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Aug 17, 2025, 7:33:15 AMAug 17
to Interactive Media Ads SDK
Hi,

Sorry for the delay in response.

Here is a couple example TVs:
Sony KLV-24P413D (from 2019)
Sony
KLV-24P413D (from 2017)


The specific examples should not matter. I would guess that all TVs support overscan. While most may not not have it enabled by default, it's important for the IMA SDK to respect the title and action safe standards regardless.
Screen size and network traffic should not be relevant for this issue. The fix in this case is related to placement/layout of the text element by the IMA SDK and is likely just a CSS change to inset the ad text element.

Importance of respecting title and action safe:
In video production, title safe and action safe areas refer to zones within the video frame designed to ensure important elements are visible on all displays. Title safe is the inner area where text and graphics should be placed to avoid being cut off on older or poorly adjusted televisions, while action safe is a larger area surrounding it, where all crucial action and visual elements should be kept to prevent them from being clipped

IMA SDK

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Aug 18, 2025, 1:46:32 AMAug 18
to dgille...@gmail.com, ima...@googlegroups.com

Hi Dan,

Thank you for sharing the details. If possible could you please capture Charles and share it with us.

If the file(s) you are looking to share are less than 25mb in total you can attach them to this case on your next reply. If you are having trouble attaching your file to this case or if your file(s) are larger than 25mb, you can share your files with me by performing the following steps:

1. Navigate to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkAiXMeYP-fw1W3Z-tT9uwmATEKO5X6S-th0gR2ezdKaaqfg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.400550049=IMA+SDK&entry.460850823=500Ht00001svId0IAE&entry.80707362=00318270

2. Fill out all fields, and attach your file(s).

3. Please reply back on this thread when you have uploaded your file(s). Please do not share this link.

Thanks,
 
Google Logo IMA SDK Team

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[2025-08-18 05:46:23Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01svId0:ref" (ADR-00318270)



Dan

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Aug 22, 2025, 4:51:02 AMAug 22
to Interactive Media Ads SDK
Hi,

This is a simple layout issue and should have nothing to do with network traffic. Can you please explain why you think a network traffic capture is relevant?

Thanks.

IMA SDK

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Aug 22, 2025, 7:02:17 AMAug 22
to dgille...@gmail.com, ima...@googlegroups.com

Hi,

The wider team is investigating the matter thoroughly, and we will keep you updated with any new information or findings,Thank you for your patience.


Thanks,
 
Google Logo IMA SDK Team

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[2025-08-22 11:02:09Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01svId0:ref" (ADR-00318270)



IMA SDK

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Aug 22, 2025, 1:24:17 PMAug 22
to ima...@googlegroups.com, dgille...@gmail.com
Hi Dan,

Can you try adding an overscan-safe margin to adDisplayContainer (clientside) or streamDisplayContainer (DAI)?  The overscan behavior may vary among TVs generally.

Thanks,
 
Google Logo IMA SDK Team

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[2025-08-22 17:24:07Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01svId0:ref" (ADR-00318270)



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