guppie

I don't know if this is normal for viewing DVDs on XBox, but I can't get the video setting right! I have a 32" Flat screen Toshiba and the picture quality looks awesome, but when I choose "Normal", I still view the movie in letter-box (black bars on top and bottom). When I change video setting to "Letter Box", the movie is still in letter box and there is absolutely no difference. When I change setting to "Wide Screen" the black bars on top and bottom are smaller, but the picture is a bit larger and stretched out (distorted). My TV is not HDTV and its not Wide Screen... How the heck do I eliminate those damn bars? Normal is supposed to do it, right? Can you guys please try it as well and if you know what I'm doing wrong? So far every DVD movie has been the same results! DAMN!

cubanx

You have a 4x3 TV. It's aspect ratio is 1:33 .

You will alway's have "Black Bars" if the movies aspect ratio is 1:66,1:85, 2:35, or say's "Enhanced for Widescreens". The "black bar's" are for your *benefit* so you see everything. The larger the aspect ratio the larger the "Black Bars".

The only way to get rid of the black bar's is to buy a butchered "Full Frame" or " Pan and Scan" version but not recomended.

Link to the Widescreen for Dummies webpage:
Click here to unlock your viewing enjoyment potential

guppie

thanks for the heads-up. I just wasn't sure, cuz my cousin has a regular DVD player and same TV, but I guess the particular DVD we watched on his TV must have had the option for regualr TV screen... No big deal as long as its normal.