New HDTV why doesnt DVD fill screen?

Question

New 32"LG HDTV

old Cyberhome CH DVD 300

hooked up DVD using S-video R,L audio cable

getting black bars on top and bottom. I have fiddled with aspect control 4:3, 16:9, stretch vertical and horizontal and zoom but can't make black bars go away. Do I need to hook up with Y, Ps and Pr?

Answer 1

Most movies will have black bars on the top and bottom since they are originally filmed in a different format than 16:9.  16:9 is the standard for HDTV broadcasts, but movies commonly have an aspect ratio of 2.35:1.  So there is really nothing you can do about the black bars.  The YPbPr is component video which will pass a progressive scan signal if your DVD player is capable, but will not do anything about the black bars.

Answer 2

If you are watching a widescreen movie this is normal.

While an HDTV has a 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio (width:height), movies vary from 1.33:1 to over 2.70:1. The only movies that fit the screen are those with 1.78:1 aspect ratio (and 1.85:1 comes close). Unless the picture is cropped or stretched any other aspect ratio (e.g. 2.35:1) will have bars on top and bottom or the sides (e.g. a 1.33:1 movie).

See the link for examples of why you don't want to crop or stretch.

Answer 3

You definitely want to hook the DVD player up with component cables but to get rid of the black bars you need to go into your DVD player's set-up menu and change the display aspect ratio to 16/9.  If you are viewing a DVD that is letterbox then the black bars will always be there.  You need to use DVDs that are "anamorphic" wide screen in order to fill your screen

Answer 4

You've been given correct information.  I'll provide another link for your reading.