Blu Ray Aspect Ratio problem

toycrusier · 12-08-2007, 03:11 AM

Just bought a Blu Ray.
The first movie I watched was Spidey lll. It had the black margin top and bottom. Next I watched a regular DVD. It had the black margin on top bottom and sides.
Can anyone explain in layman's terms how I can correct this? I really get confused with the inputs and outputs of my different equipment.
I am using DirecTV, BDP-S301 Blu Ray, Sony Amp with 5 speaker surround, and a 50" Sony WEGA. Thanks

**PFC5** · 12-08-2007, 03:26 AM

Your 16:9 wide screen display has an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The movies that have an aspect ratio of higher than 1.78:1 will have black bars at the top/bottom. However, many displays have over scan which is a holdover to CRT based TVs so with over scan on many models a movie with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 appears to also fill the whole screen just like a 1.78:1 movie (rare).

If you look on the back of the movie cases for the two movies you watched, they will list the aspect ratio at probably either 2.35:1 or 2.40:1, which means the picture is wider than your display. to keep the picture from being distorted, you have black bars on these movies.

I recommend you get used to them. Much of the action movies use the wider 2.40:1 aspect ratio and more of the comedies use 1.85:1. Watching these wider movies with the black bars at the top/bottom means you are seeing the WHOLE movie and not chopping off the sides by zooming it and also degrading the PQ with the zoom.

Hope this helps!

Semp1 · 12-08-2007, 04:09 AM

The black bars on the side means the DVD was not anamorphic...your problem is not the player it is the old DVD you put in....

toycrusier · 12-08-2007, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Your 16:9 wide screen display has an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The movies that have an aspect ratio of higher than 1.78:1 will have black bars at the top/bottom. However, many displays have over scan which is a holdover to CRT based TVs so with over scan on many models a movie with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 appears to also fill the whole screen just like a 1.78:1 movie (rare).

If you look on the back of the movie cases for the two movies you watched, they will list the aspect ratio at probably either 2.35:1 or 2.40:1, which means the picture is wider than your display. to keep the picture from being distorted, you have black bars on these movies.

I recommend you get used to them. Much of the action movies use the wider 2.40:1 aspect ratio and more of the comedies use 1.85:1. Watching these wider movies with the black bars at the top/bottom means you are seeing the WHOLE movie and not chopping off the sides by zooming it and also degrading the PQ with the zoom.

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much. Good answer.

**PFC5** · 12-08-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semp1

The black bars on the side means the DVD was not anamorphic...your problem is not the player it is the old DVD you put in....

I missed the bars on the side with his SD DVD in his original post. Good catch Semp1.

12-08-2007, 03:11 AM	#1
toycrusier toycrusier Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Franklin, NC Posts: 47	Blu Ray Aspect Ratio problem Just bought a Blu Ray. The first movie I watched was Spidey lll. It had the black margin top and bottom. Next I watched a regular DVD. It had the black margin on top bottom and sides. Can anyone explain in layman's terms how I can correct this? I really get confused with the inputs and outputs of my different equipment. I am using DirecTV, BDP-S301 Blu Ray, Sony Amp with 5 speaker surround, and a 50" Sony WEGA. Thanks

12-08-2007, 03:26 AM	#2
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,420	Your 16:9 wide screen display has an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The movies that have an aspect ratio of higher than 1.78:1 will have black bars at the top/bottom. However, many displays have over scan which is a holdover to CRT based TVs so with over scan on many models a movie with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 appears to also fill the whole screen just like a 1.78:1 movie (rare). If you look on the back of the movie cases for the two movies you watched, they will list the aspect ratio at probably either 2.35:1 or 2.40:1, which means the picture is wider than your display. to keep the picture from being distorted, you have black bars on these movies. I recommend you get used to them. Much of the action movies use the wider 2.40:1 aspect ratio and more of the comedies use 1.85:1. Watching these wider movies with the black bars at the top/bottom means you are seeing the WHOLE movie and not chopping off the sides by zooming it and also degrading the PQ with the zoom. Hope this helps! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

12-08-2007, 04:09 AM	#3
Semp1 Just Go Neutral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn. NY Age: 28 Posts: 691	The black bars on the side means the DVD was not anamorphic...your problem is not the player it is the old DVD you put in.... __________________ Living Room: Sony KDL52XBR6 Sony STR-DG910 (Unknown Replacement coming soon) Center Channel: Polk CS10 Front Towers: Polk TSI300 Rear Speakers: Polk TSI100 Sub Woofer: Sony SA-W3000 Apple TV PS3 Slim XBOX 360 Wii Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD Bed Room: Sony KDL40XBR2/3 Samsung BDP2500 Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD PS3 (60gb) XBOX 360 Blu-ray=260

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