Odd aspect formats

[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.