Wide screen TV and DVD question?

Question

I just bought a Samsung LNT4061F television. I went out and bought the new Pirates of the Caribbean DVD in a widescreen format. I put the movie in and low and behold only half of the screen is being used and the lovely black bars take up the top and bottom of my screen. Is this just how it's supposed to be or is something not set up properly? I thought when I bought the new TV widescreen movies would not show the bar. Please help.

the DVD says the it is widescree (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 television.

Answer 1

Widescreen TVs are 16:9 or 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Widescreen movies come in a variety of formats, 1.78, 1.85 and 2.35. Obviously, if you don't have exactly 1.78, you will have black bars top and bottom.

You can use the zoom mode on your TV to fill the screen, but that will crop some of the image. So, you have to make a choice black bars or no black bars.

Also, you need to make sure you set your DVD player to 16:9 widescreen. DVD players have 4:3 and 16:9 in the DVD player setup menu. This might be causing your issue as well.

Answer 2

Movies are shot in at least 7 different ratios. If you want to see the movie exactly in the ratio as shown in the theaters, get used to the black bars.

HDTV Broadcasts are all exactly 16:9 because this is part of the spec.

Most TV's have a "Aspect" button on the remote or in the setup menu that will stretch the image to fully fill the screen. Try this if it really bothers you.

Answer 3

Hmmm, 2.35 : 1 ratio is WIDER than 16:9's 1.78 : 1 ratio......

It seems that TV shows in HD are the proper ratio to properly fit.....but MOVIES just don't do 16:9 aspect ratio at all.....

I think that's because they want you to visit the movie theater so they can make their money on it.....

You'll probably end up seeing most movies this way.
So my only suggestion is to set your TV to Wide Zoom or Zoom mode to compensate for the different aspect ratio that movies use.....

Answer 4

techman2 has it right.