Odd aspect formats

[miw]

I have a PS3 (upscaling set to normal) and a Samsung HDTV. Most DVDs display nicely in their proper aspect ratio (either completely filling the screen or with black bars on top and bottom, depending on the particular aspect ratio). However, some have funny aspects. For example, The Great Escape, although definitely wide in aspect, shows up on the TV with black bars on the left and right as well. In other words, there is black on all sides of what is a widescreen image. A Few Dollars More did the same thing. Is this a problem peculiar to some old movies on DVDs? When those movies are released on blu-ray, will the same problem persist?

Again, this only happens with certain movies. Has anyone else noticed this?

[jibucha]

Hello

This is known as Postage Stamp.

While I am unclear as to where exactly the problem lies, I would recommend checking the settings on everything; movie, player, receiver, and the display.

It would seem that one of them is incorrect, being set to 4:3, which in my experience is the problem.

I wish that I could provide you with more information at this time, but I feel that this is something that you need to check yourself, having easy access to your system and it's settings.

Most likely, it would be either the player or display, but variables exist, and I would not leave anything to chance, so I would check all, just to be safe.

Thank You

Originally Posted by miw

I have a PS3 (upscaling set to normal) and a Samsung HDTV. Most DVDs display nicely in their proper aspect ratio (either completely filling the screen or with black bars on top and bottom, depending on the particular aspect ratio). However, some have funny aspects. For example, The Great Escape, although definitely wide in aspect, shows up on the TV with black bars on the left and right as well. In other words, there is black on all sides of what is a widescreen image. A Few Dollars More did the same thing. Is this a problem peculiar to some old movies on DVDs? When those movies are released on blu-ray, will the same problem persist?

Again, this only happens with certain movies. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Jason One]

Originally Posted by miw

I have a PS3 (upscaling set to normal) and a Samsung HDTV. Most DVDs display nicely in their proper aspect ratio (either completely filling the screen or with black bars on top and bottom, depending on the particular aspect ratio). However, some have funny aspects. For example, The Great Escape, although definitely wide in aspect, shows up on the TV with black bars on the left and right as well. In other words, there is black on all sides of what is a widescreen image. A Few Dollars More did the same thing. Is this a problem peculiar to some old movies on DVDs? When those movies are released on blu-ray, will the same problem persist?

Again, this only happens with certain movies. Has anyone else noticed this?

The problem is that those two DVDs are non-anamorphic, meaning they are not enhanced for widescreen TVs. In other words, they have the widescreen image letterboxed in a 4:3 frame.

Both movies have since been re-released in new anamorphic DVDs which would display correctly when played in your PS3.

[Rovic]

I was about to ask this same question....I get the same image from watching "Breakdown", "Titanic" and "The Truman Show" all on dvd...i've yet to figure out the problem....i've checked the receiver aspect ration and the ps3's but with no luck....

[J6P]

Originally Posted by Rovic

I was about to ask this same question....I get the same image from watching "Breakdown", "Titanic" and "The Truman Show" all on dvd...i've yet to figure out the problem....i've checked the receiver aspect ration and the ps3's but with no luck....

This is the same issue. Check the back of the box and you will not see the words "Anamorphic Widescreen" or "Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions". These older widescreen discs were produced before 16x9 televisions were commonplace, and they encoded the black bars into the 4:3 screen space. Nothing you can do about these but upgrade the discs to more modern, anamorphic versions.

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by Jason One

The problem is that those two DVDs are non-anamorphic, meaning they are not enhanced for widescreen TVs. In other words, they have the widescreen image letterboxed in a 4:3 frame.

DVDs I own which I recall having that type of encoding:

The Rocketeer

Cool Runnings

The Arrival

Somewhere In Time

Titanic (1997)

[RandDawg]

Originally Posted by miw

I have a PS3 (upscaling set to normal) and a Samsung HDTV. Most DVDs display nicely in their proper aspect ratio (either completely filling the screen or with black bars on top and bottom, depending on the particular aspect ratio). However, some have funny aspects. For example, The Great Escape, although definitely wide in aspect, shows up on the TV with black bars on the left and right as well. In other words, there is black on all sides of what is a widescreen image. A Few Dollars More did the same thing. Is this a problem peculiar to some old movies on DVDs? When those movies are released on blu-ray, will the same problem persist?

Again, this only happens with certain movies. Has anyone else noticed this?

My True Lies DVD is like this. I just hit the Zoom button and it mostly fixes it. Just make sure to use a straight zoom and not the wide zoom.