Aspect Ratio Issue on my New System

[PUsokrJosh305]

I think I know where you are coming from in terms of how you viewed things in the past. Your parents's 4:3 setting is like what it would be if you are watching things on a 4:3 display like an old CRT Tube TV. This is similar to my projector screen I have in the school I work at. It's a 4:3 projector screen but the computers I have used are 16:9.

Before this year, I used my personal computer hooked up to an HDMI Cable to present information to my students (the school given desktop did not have the right cable to make the information clear aka it was fuzzy). I formatted the screen so it should the image in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Anyways, during the Holidays I like to play A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas in class. My laptop had a blu-ray player so I figured I would play the blu-ray version of the tv classics. When I played it, it actually had the bars on the sides and bottom since it was a 4:3 screen. The reason why it did that is because although the show was in 4:3, it was full encoded on the disk as 16:9 because that is the normal TV aspect ratio anymore. Now when I popped the DVD in, it formatted itself to my 4:3 screen and filled the entire screen like it should.

From what I can tell, blu-ray and 4K movies that are 4:3 are actually encoded as 16:9 so when watching anything blu-ray or 4K, the player usually assumes it's in 16:9. As to DVD's, they can range depending on the movie.

[Deciazulado]

[chip75]

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

My laptop had a blu-ray player so I figured I would play the blu-ray version of the tv classics. When I played it, it actually had the bars on the sides and bottom since it was a 4:3 screen. The reason why it did that is because although the show was in 4:3, it was full encoded on the disk as 16:9 because that is the normal TV aspect ratio anymore. Now when I popped the DVD in, it formatted itself to my 4:3 screen and filled the entire screen like it should.

What kind of laptop did you have? the ones with 4:3 screens are usually industrial graded. Usually when you have windowboxing with 4:3 (or pillarboxed) Blu-rays and laptop playback it's due to the screen being 16:10 and not 16:9. So the software adds a few pixels at the top and bottom of the frame.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by chip75

What kind of laptop did you have? the ones with 4:3 screens are usually industrial graded. Usually when you have windowboxing with 4:3 (or pillarboxed) Blu-rays and laptop playback it's due to the screen being 16:10 and not 16:9. So the software adds a few pixels at the top and bottom of the frame.

It was a Sony Vaio. The screen itself was 16:9 and displayed everything correctly. But when I projected it out using my HDMI cable to the projector, I had to adjust the the resolution for the projector to fit the screen on a 4:3 projector screen (Only screens they have at my school). So when I would play a widescreen blu-ray and projected it, it would be like if we were watching on an old Tube TV. It's school though. At least it's not how I view movies at home, haha!

[pferreira]

I'm sorry Chip I tried but I just can't handle it. Movie mode for me just doesn't work, the picture looks too gold so I've switched it Dynamic. I get Movie mode makes sense as that's how a cinema would show it but I'm not using a projector I'm using a TV and I need my picture to have colour.

Originally Posted by chip75

I'd also like to know if you're going to fix the settings on your Mum's and dad's player? they're hurting their picture quality with those 4:3 settings on a 16:9 display!

No way, they'd never forgive me! I think they like it like that and I can't blame them.

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

I think I know where you are coming from in terms of how you viewed things in the past. Your parents's 4:3 setting is like what it would be if you are watching things on a 4:3 display like an old CRT Tube TV.

I obviously had no idea till now that less black bars was a good thing. I always assumed more black bars mean I'm watching full widescreen. Hey I can get used to seeing stuff in 16:9 as long as I'm not losing any picture on the sides or the stretched picture is reducing presentation quality. E.T. looks fine almost full screen but I'm used to seeing it squeezed. Kind of a shame the more advanced technology becomes the worse DVDs I have will look. My copy of Free Jack looked pretty awesome back when I was using a DVD player.

So here's a potentially tricky question for you. Most DVDs and blu-rays with a 4:3 presentation (like Star Trek) will appear with bars only on the sides. Why does a 4:3 series like Street Hawk on DVD appear full screen without any bars? I don't have the series at hand because I rented it out but when I used it on my previous player that's how it was presented, completely full screen.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by pferreira

I'm sorry Chip I tried but I just can't handle it. Movie mode for me just doesn't work, the picture looks too gold so I've switched it Dynamic. I get Movie mode makes sense as that's how a cinema would show it but I'm not using a projector I'm using a TV and I need my picture to have colour.

No way, they'd never forgive me! I think they like it like that and I can't blame them.

I obviously had no idea till now that less black bars was a good thing. I always assumed more black bars mean I'm watching full widescreen. Hey I can get used to seeing stuff in 16:9 as long as I'm not losing any picture on the sides or the stretched picture is reducing presentation quality. E.T. looks fine almost full screen but I'm used to seeing it squeezed. Kind of a shame the more advanced technology becomes the worse DVDs I have will look. My copy of Free Jack looked pretty awesome back when I was using a DVD player.

So here's a potentially tricky question for you. Most DVDs and blu-rays with a 4:3 presentation (like Star Trek) will appear with bars only on the sides. Why does a 4:3 series like Street Hawk on DVD appear full screen without any bars? I don't have the series at hand because I rented it out but when I used it on my previous player that's how it was presented, completely full screen.

There are 2 things that could have done that. 1: The TV show on DVD was cropped to none other to take up the full screen. Or 2, which is probably the true reason: you chose an option on your player to stretch the fullscreen movie/tv show out to take up the entire screen.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by pferreira

I'm sorry Chip I tried but I just can't handle it. Movie mode for me just doesn't work, the picture looks too gold so I've switched it Dynamic. I get Movie mode makes sense as that's how a cinema would show it but I'm not using a projector I'm using a TV and I need my picture to have colour.

Obviously you should view what's right for you, but Movie/Warm 2 will give you the most accurate results to what's on the disc, Dynamic is just pumping a load of blue to brighten up the image.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by chip75

Obviously you should view what's right for you, but Movie/Warm 2 will give you the most accurate results to what's on the disc, Dynamic is just pumping a load of blue to brighten up the image.

The problem with your settings is I'm not a fan of picture quality looking gold on everything. My personal preference is to show the full colour of everything (obviously within reason). It's the reason why I dislike the 4K Star Wars blu-rays over the 2011 1080 ones.

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

There are 2 things that could have done that. 1: The TV show on DVD was cropped to none other to take up the full screen. Or 2, which is probably the true reason: you chose an option on your player to stretch the fullscreen movie/tv show out to take up the entire screen.

UPDATE on this. I just bought Street Hawk on DVD and just tried it on my 4K player. Oh boy what a let down. On my previous player as I said it was full screen. It's a really grainy show but it suits what they were going for in giving the show a gritty crime look yet unlike something like Doctor Who as I also said it took up the entire screen.

Now on my 4K player I get thick black bars on either side. I also see black bars within the actual show itself. So to summarise I'm now getting black bars (player created) on top of black bars (from the original source).

It looked great before, now it looks horrible. Is there anything that can be done about this. I'm worried if I change my TV ratio to 4:3 it'll cramp the picture further and into being totally unwatchable.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by pferreira

The problem with your settings is I'm not a fan of picture quality looking gold on everything. My personal preference is to show the full colour of everything (obviously within reason). It's the reason why I dislike the 4K Star Wars blu-rays over the 2011 1080 ones.

UPDATE on this. I just bought Street Hawk on DVD and just tried it on my 4K player. Oh boy what a let down. On my previous player as I said it was full screen. It's a really grainy show but it suits what they were going for in giving the show a gritty crime look yet unlike something like Doctor Who as I also said it took up the entire screen.

Now on my 4K player I get thick black bars on either side. I also see black bars within the actual show itself. So to summarise I'm now getting black bars (player created) on top of black bars (from the original source).

It looked great before, now it looks horrible. Is there anything that can be done about this. I'm worried if I change my TV ratio to 4:3 it'll cramp the picture further and into being totally unwatchable.

How big are the black bars? Are they small or big? Also, are you using an HDMI Cable by chance? A picture of what you see and your setup might help explain things.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by pferreira

UPDATE on this. I just bought Street Hawk on DVD and just tried it on my 4K player. Oh boy what a let down. On my previous player as I said it was full screen. It's a really grainy show but it suits what they were going for in giving the show a gritty crime look yet unlike something like Doctor Who as I also said it took up the entire screen.

It sounds like it's displaying properly, not familiar with that release, but it might have some matting too.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by chip75

It sounds like it's displaying properly, not familiar with that release, but it might have some matting too.

Matting? Could you explain what you mean by that?

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

How big are the black bars? Are they small or big? Also, are you using an HDMI Cable by chance? A picture of what you see and your setup might help explain things.

I have listed my specs in the thread and yes I am using an HDMI cable. That doesn't change the ratio problems.

For Street Hawk it's got bars on the sides like any other 4:3 show would do just as Chip says however it also has black bars from the source. On my previous 1080p player the picture took up the entire screen. There were no bars either from the player or the source showing. The 4:3 image taking up the entire screen was unusual compared to other 4:3 shows like Doctor Who but I didn't mind.

The only thing I see happening right now is Panasonic releasing a firmware update that adds 4:3 as an option.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by pferreira

Matting? Could you explain what you mean by that?

Matting is any black borders (letterbox, pillarbox or windowbox) that are part of the image, even with some 4:3 DVDs you can have occassional matting. The think black bars on 1.85:1 Blu-rays are matting.

Originally Posted by pferreira

For Street Hawk it's got bars on the sides like any other 4:3 show would do just as Chip says however it also has black bars from the source. On my previous 1080p player the picture took up the entire screen. There were no bars either from the player or the source showing. The 4:3 image taking up the entire screen was unusual compared to other 4:3 shows like Doctor Who but I didn't mind.

The only thing I see happening right now is Panasonic releasing a firmware update that adds 4:3 as an option.

It's possible you were stretching or cropping the image and using overscan.

You shouldn't worry too much about the playback with the Panasonic players, it's pretty bulletproof, it should do everything right, if you're not using overscan and not zooming, cropping or stretching with your display.

The only issues you'll run into are when things aren't flagged properly, but decent retail DVDs usually are and you can just switch to 4:3 if they're not.

If you can post some pictures and we'll sort everything out.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by chip75

Matting is any black borders (letterbox, pillarbox or windowbox) that are part of the image, even with some 4:3 DVDs you can have occassional matting. The think black bars on 1.85:1 Blu-rays are matting.

So with all my 4:3 shows like Street Hawk or old Doctor Who it's normal to have matting from the source image as well as the player's black bars on the sides? I ask because it's weird seeing two sets of black bars. On my old player I only wasn't getting any matting from the source material, only the player's black bars on the sides.

Originally Posted by chip75

If you can post some pictures and we'll sort everything out.

I'm in the process of taking pictures with my phone. Someone else also asked to see some pictures. What I have noticed is that as soon as the disc is in running all options on the TV are greyed out for changing the picture settings.

[Lee A Stewart]

Setting > Picture > Picture Size Settings

Three choices:

16:9
Custom
4:3

Set to 16:9

If Auto Wide is greyed out that means your TV does not support it.

DO NOT use Custom.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Setting > Picture > Picture Size Settings

Three choices:

16:9
Custom
4:3

Set to 16:9

If Auto Wide is greyed out that means your TV does not support it.

DO NOT use Custom.

I can only choose 4:3 I think if no disc is inserted. Not supporting Auto Wide doesn't make sense. My TV wasn't a cheap one so how could it not be supported? Is it known that my TV listed doesn't support Auto Wide?

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by pferreira

I can only choose 4:3 I think if no disc is inserted. Not supporting Auto Wide doesn't make sense. My TV wasn't a cheap one so how could it not be supported? Is it known that my TV listed doesn't support Auto Wide?

Again, this doesn't make a bit of sense. 4:3 should not be the only option. I feel like your TV is set in a mode that it shouldn't be, like store mode instead of home mode. Please post pictures of these options so we can better help you!

[chip75]

Originally Posted by pferreira

So with all my 4:3 shows like Street Hawk or old Doctor Who it's normal to have matting from the source image as well as the player's black bars on the sides? I ask because it's weird seeing two sets of black bars. On my old player I only wasn't getting any matting from the source material, only the player's black bars on the sides.

If you turn the brightness up on your TV you should be able to differentiate between what's matted (and part of the DVD) and what's player generated pillarboxing.

But pictures will give us a better understanding.

Originally Posted by pferreira

I can only choose 4:3 I think if no disc is inserted. Not supporting Auto Wide doesn't make sense. My TV wasn't a cheap one so how could it not be supported? Is it known that my TV listed doesn't support Auto Wide?

What was the exact model number of your TV, mate?

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

Again, this doesn't make a bit of sense. 4:3 should not be the only option.

No you don't understand. I don't mean 4:3 mode is the only option on my TV, I'm saying 4:3 mode can only be accessed when no disc is playing. TV is locked to 16:9 with a disc inserted, all options greyed out.

Originally Posted by chip75

If you turn the brightness up on your TV you should be able to differentiate between what's matted (and part of the DVD) and what's player generated pillarboxing.

Oh yeah that's not a problem. I've seen all that.

Originally Posted by chip75

What was the exact model number of your TV, mate?

Samsung 43" TU7100 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV.

I took pictures but they're like 3MB. Any way to get this website to recognise the files at a smaller size so I can upload examples?

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by pferreira

No you don't understand. I don't mean 4:3 mode is the only option on my TV, I'm saying 4:3 mode can only be accessed when no disc is playing. TV is locked to 16:9 with a disc inserted, all options greyed out.

Oh yeah that's not a problem. I've seen all that.

Samsung 43" TU7100 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV.

I took pictures but they're like 3MB. Any way to get this website to recognise the files at a smaller size so I can upload examples?

You shouldn't need to choose 4:3 mode as your screen size though. 16:9 is what you should always choose, period!

As to the pictures, you need to use a website like imgur, upload them there and then share them here via embedding an image.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Setting > Picture > Picture Size Settings

Three choices:

16:9
Custom
4:3

Set to 16:9

If Auto Wide is greyed out that means your TV does not support it.

DO NOT use Custom.

This comes directly from the Owners Manual for your specific TV.