Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > DVD Discussions > DVD & Home Theater Gear
Reload this Page >

Watching DVDs on widescreen TV

DVD & Home Theater Gear Discuss DVD and Home Theater Equipment.

Watching DVDs on widescreen TV

Old 06-16-04, 05:16 AM
  #1  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Watching DVDs on widescreen TV

If I have a widescreen TV, how is it best to view DVDs that are advertised as 1.66:1 enhanced for widescreen TVs?

The integrated DVD player (a Grundig) has the following settings available: 4:3, 14:9 and 16:9 (plus a couple of rogue settings that I don't fully understand)

Is it best to watch 1.66:1 movies (indeed any ratio between 1.33:1 and 1.85:1) in the 4:3 format and accept that you will have a smallish picture with black bars top bottom and at the sides? Or are there clever tweaks that I am not aware of.
Old 06-16-04, 07:53 AM
  #2  
DVD Talk Reviewer/ Admin
 
Adam Tyner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Greenville, South Cackalack
Posts: 28,708
Received 1,844 Likes on 1,221 Posts
Re: Watching DVDs on widescreen TV

Originally posted by jnorris
If I have a widescreen TV, how is it best to view DVDs that are advertised as 1.66:1 enhanced for widescreen TVs?
In 16x9 mode. You'll either see very slight bars on the sides or they'll be lopped off entirely due to overscan. I don't see the benefit of viewing a 16x9-enhanced 1.66:1 DVD in 4x3 mode on widescreen set, since you'd be wasting screen real estate and losing resolution. An anamorphic widescreen 1.66:1 DVD has the same "height" as an anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 disc.

A tougher question to answer would be what to do with a 1.66:1 DVD that's not enhanced for widescreen TVs; in that case, I probably would view it in 4x3 mode, although if your player has a 14x9 mode, that might do the trick in those cases.
Old 06-16-04, 10:18 PM
  #3  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for that!
Old 06-16-04, 10:22 PM
  #4  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can I assume that if a DVD has been "enhanced for widescreen TVs" then the 16:9 setting is the best (and intended) viewing mode?

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.