How to output 1080p 4:3 content and use grey bars on plasma?

[Kryptonic]

Anyone know of any settings on the PS3 or other Blu-ray player so that I can use the 4:3 grey bar function on my plasma when outputting 4:3 HD? When I set the TV to 4:3, it puts the grey bars on, but squeezes the 4:3 image of say Star Trek: The Original Series, into the 4:3 frame and adds thin black bars between the image and the grey bars. What setting am I missing here? Help?

[Chiefy]

Set your player to 16:9 as I assume that's what your HDTV is, then try toggling to the different aspect ratios on your TV's remote.

[Naiera]

Not possible. 1080i/p is 16:9.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Not possible. 1080i/p is 16:9.

It did on my Panasonic UT50. On my new Samsung F5300, it does what I described in the first post.

[Naiera]

The black bars are in the 1080p image. You can't output a signal without them in there.

[Chiefy]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

It did on my Panasonic UT50. On my new Samsung F5300, it does what I described in the first post.

I assume you're just trying to get the 4:3 picture in it's original aspect ratio (w/ grey or black bars on the left and right) without the picture being squeezed/distorted.

Choosing 16:9 or Screen Fit on your TV doesn't display the image correctly, even with the player set to output to 16:9? That's very odd. If those two settings are on and it doesn't work, I'm completely baffled.

[Naiera]

The black bars are in the 1080p video. Is that so hard to understand?

[Chiefy]

Originally Posted by Naiera

The black bars are in the 1080p video. Is that so hard to understand?

I know you're not talking to me. I know this. Why he's not able to display the 4:3 picture normally, without it being distorted is beyond me.

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by Chiefy

I know you're not talking to me. I know this. Why he's not able to display the 4:3 picture normally, without it being distorted is beyond me.

He could, if he weren't setting the TV to 4:3. He's trying to get grey bars generated by the TV instead of the black bars in the actual video signal.

Unless his old player actually detected 4:3 content, cropped out the black bars, and stretched it out so that the TV in 4:3 mode would restore it to the correct aspect ratio, what he's describing is impossible. If his old player DID do that, his new one probably doesn't (not surprising since it's a feature I've never heard of).

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

He could, if he weren't setting the TV to 4:3. He's trying to get grey bars generated by the TV instead of the black bars in the actual video signal.

Unless his old player actually detected 4:3 content, cropped out the black bars, and stretched it out so that the TV in 4:3 mode would restore it to the correct aspect ratio, what he's describing is impossible. If his old player DID do that, his new one probably doesn't (not surprising since it's a feature I've never heard of).

My Panasonic UT50 HDTV did just that. It replaced the black bars with grey bars on 1080p 4:3 signals coming to the TV. I guess I just can't do that with this new TV.

[Naiera]

Never heard of such a function.

In any case, I doubt you'll be able to find a player, or another TV, that'll do the same. None of the Panasonic plasmas I've had were able to do it.

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

My Panasonic UT50 HDTV did just that. It replaced the black bars with grey bars on 1080p 4:3 signals coming to the TV. I guess I just can't do that with this new TV.

Try setting the display to Screen fit.

Is black an option under the side grey setting?

[Kryptonic]

*Sigh*

Nevermind.

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

*Sigh*

Nevermind.

Does it work or not?

How can we help diagnose a problem when you are not providing feedback. You haven't stated that you have tried what Chiefy stated.

As Naiera has pointed out, Blu-ray specifically HD content, is encoded with any black bars as part of the image, so 1.33:1 content will have black bars both sides to produce a 16:9 image (1920x1080). You shouldn't have to set the display to 4:3, because all Blu-ray (HD) content is 16:9.

What does the setting 'Screen fit' show?

[Kryptonic]

Screen Fit doesn't do anything with regards to this. Just forget it. I guess it was just a feature of Panasonic plasmas since both my UT50 and older PX80U did this on 4:3 HD content.

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Screen Fit doesn't do anything with regards to this. Just forget it. I guess it was just a feature of Panasonic plasmas since both my UT50 and older PX80U did this on 4:3 HD content.

Just to clarify, when set to 'Screen Fit', does it display black side bars, but still maintain the correct 4:3 ratio?

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by Tech-UK

Just to clarify, when set to 'Screen Fit', does it display black side bars, but still maintain the correct 4:3 ratio?

Of course it does. It has nothing to do with what I'm describing. Read the first post again.

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Of course it does. It has nothing to do with what I'm describing. Read the first post again.

That's how it should be shown.

Grey bar detection only occurs when displaying 4:3 SD content.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by Tech-UK

That's how it should be shown.

Grey bar detection only occurs when displaying 4:3 SD content.

Except my Panasonic's did it on 4:3 HD content as well.

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Except my Panasonic's did it on 4:3 HD content as well.

Can you remember the exact content?

Was it on Blu-ray or DTV?

If you are worried about image retention, as long as you vary the content, you will be ok.

Its if you watch the majority of content in 4:3, IR may become an issue.