I have started looking at HDTV, RPTV's in 16x9 aspect ratio to eventually replace my Mitsubishi 50" traditional. I noticed that some DVD movies playing on them also had black bars on the top and bottom. Is this normal? I don't mind normal TV being a little squashed, you get used to it in a few minutes, but was surprised that there were still bars on the DVD movies. (only a few)

I do not have a widescreen yet...but if I remember from previous posts...anamorphic dvds where the original aspect ratio is 2:35:1 will still have the black bars on the top and bottom. You will still benefit from better resolution.... anyone else know for sure??? http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~djones6746.asp


"You know Andy...I never thought it would come to this....Mayberry....Gateway to danger."

Barney Fife

16:9 = 1.77:1 aspect ratio. Anything wider than 1.77:1--including 1.85:1, 2.35:1, 2.55:1, etc--will have black bars at the top and bottom of the screen because the movie is wider than the screen. Obviously, 2.55:1 is wider than 1.85:1, so it's bars will be larger.

So yes, that's normal.

I'm lusting after a widescreen set, too.


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Dan

My ever-growing DVD list.

Absolutely correct. Any movie whose aspect ratio is wider than 16:9 will still have letterbox bars, although they should be significantly samller/less noticeable than on a 4:3 TV. Essentially on anything greater than 1.85:1.

you should have the zoom or 16:9L mode which works great with anamorphic DVD's

That explains it then. Makes perfect sense.