DVDs do not fill my 32" LCD screen

apc
apc Posts: 779
edited May 2007 in Electronics
HD TV shows fill the screen and regular programming does not. That's what I expected. I thought my movies on DVD would fill the screen since the new LCD is "widescreen" and the correct aspect ratio. I've tried adjustments on both the TV and DVD player with no correction. What am I missing? TV is a Vizio model VX32L and the DVD is a Sony SLV-D271P. I realize the picture can be stretched, but I am looking for the settings that allow the true fullscreen presentation as intended. Thanks for your impressions.
Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend.
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Comments

  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited May 2007
    Keep in mind that widescreen DVDs still come in various aspect ratios, some are 'more widescreen' than others.
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  • apc
    apc Posts: 779
    edited May 2007
    Realize that and it's OK. I'm talking about black lines on all 4 sides of the picture...
    Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited May 2007
    Right, "widescreen" TVs are almost exclusively 16:9, which is 1.78:1. Most "widescreen" movies are either 1.85:1 or 2.39:1, both of which will result in black bars. There's not much you can do about it, except maybe get a projector. :)
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited May 2007
    In the DVD player setup menu (the menu you get when the disc is not in the player), make sure you have display type set to widescreen.
    Never Forget
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited May 2007
    All four sides? I would go back through the dvd menus and see if somehow it got messed up.....If all else fails, you could just go back to the default settings and start over....It could be a combination of things, not just one or the other...I had to reset the settings on my DLP and my DV-8300, and start from scratch...All was well until the DLP pooped out...I will have to do it again when that gets back...
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited May 2007
    The only time I get bars on "all four sides" is when a show is filmed in "widescreen", but shown on a non-HD station. Like the shows on FX.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2007
    APC,
    Things to check:
    1. DVD screen setup, make sure display is set to 16:9 like Bob said, also turn on the Progressive feature. Turn off the Black Level. Make sure you are connected to the TV with component cables.

    2. Realize that DVD players, even when they are set for a 16:9 display, really output a 480i/p image in a 4:3 ratio. (Unless you have an upscalling unit, I checked, you don't)
    That means that the TV needs to stretch this image (which is compressed by the DVD player) to fill the screen. If not, the image looks squished (people are taller than normal) I think that Vizio calls this Wide mode. (not panoramic or zoom).

    3.Finally, keep in mind, some older movies on DVD are widescreen, but they were, mastered for a 4:3 screen and have black bars in the signal that you can't eliminate unless you zoom in, which of course reduces quality. These are what you would call non-anamorphic movies. I try to avoid these, but sometimes I still end up renting or owning one. The newest movies shouldn't be a problem because they are almost always anamorphic these days.

    Good luck and enjoy the new TV.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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