How can I watch DVD's 16X9 ratio?

Question

When I buy a DVD movie, unless it's 16X9 ratio, it has black boxes on top & bottom, same movie on HBO HD channel plays16X9 which fills up the widescreen tv. How can I do the same?

Answer 1

Your TV could have the settings to change how you would like to view your aspect ratio. But also DVD players also have the aspect ratio settings as well. Use what you prefer but if the black bars are on the top and bottom that is a good thing. Then you will get the entire picture. if you lose the black bars then the left and right ends get cut off. Also if you buy a DVD that is full screen it will fill the screen, where a wide screen DVD will be wide screen. So sometimes format that you purchase will dictate this as well.

Answer 2

Unless you are willing to distort or crop the picture you can't.

The "problem" is that directors decide how they want their films to be presented and choose any of several aspect ratios (width to height ratio) ... anywhere from 1.33:1 to over 2.7:1.

The only size that fills a 16:9 (1.78:1) screen is a film with that same aspect ratio. 1.85:1 films are almost 16:9 and broadcast studios often simply expand the image slightly and lose a little bit off each side ... so it looks like it fills the screen. But you wouldn't want to do this with a 2.35:1 or wider film ... you would lose too much information. See the link for examples ... and more info on this issue.

It's best to get used to the bars on top and bottom (or sometimes -- in the case of old 4:3 films -- on the sides).

Answer 3

A 4x3 DVD will fill your entire screen and 16x9 is widescreen; therefore, it causes the black edges. To eliminate these black areas try changing the settings on your TV from normal to zoom or widezoom if you have the option. If you don't have that option, than you can zoom in one notch one your DVD player. Be aware that with either choice you will loose some of the sides. GOOD LUCK!