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ubertuber · 06-24-2004, 07:47 PM

It is because your TV is 16:9, or "widescreen". This is widescreen for HDTV standards. Almost all "widescreen" films are actually filmed at something like 2.35:1, which for your purposes can be thought of as "widERscreen". The aspect ratio (meaning 16:9, 4:3, 2.35:1, etc.) is not standardized in the film world - it is completely at the director's discretion, although most dvd releases are anamorphic, or 2.35:1. This means if your TV, which is 16x9 (and will therefor display HDTV broadcasts with no bars) is showing you a "widescreen" movie, there will almost certainly be bars on the top and bottom of the screen. When you change the setting on the remote to fill the screen, your TV is using a processing mode to stretch the picture. Most people can't tell if this is done skillfully. Personally, I'd watch it the way it was filmed, and live with the black bars (beware of burn-in if you are using anything other than a tube tv - you can probably make the bars grey which will help, and maybe even engage a picture shift. The little opaque logos on the screen of broadcasts, like espn or the nbc peacock can also burn in your screen. Static elements on video games can be problematic if you play a lot. But, if your tv is a tube television, you'll be just fine, so don't get scared.)

Another issue is that your TV almost certainly displays HD images (which 480p, or progressively scanned dvd, is a variety of) only through component video connections (or dvi, if you've got it). This means you've gotta use the cables with the red, blue and green connectors to get the best picture. You'll be able to do this on a "progressive scan" dvd player or if your tv has a line doubler included. This will yield the best possible picture for dvd. If you use s video, composite, or god help you, coaxial video cable, you will be watching a 480i picture, which is not HD. You might as well be watching a normal TV in this case.

Sorry to throw so much at you, but the bottom line is this. Your TV and PS2 aren't broken and there are no settings you need to change. The black bars are normal. Get component cables for a better picture (or dvi if your tv and player support it, which ps2 will not yet), and think about a progressive scan dvd player. They're really cheap now. Also, beware of burn-in of those bars if your screen is projection, plasma, lcd, or dlp. Also, don't be too disappointed, your widescreen TV kicks much more ass than a 4:3 set!

06-24-2004, 07:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	It is because your TV is 16:9, or "widescreen". This is widescreen for HDTV standards. Almost all "widescreen" films are actually filmed at something like 2.35:1, which for your purposes can be thought of as "widERscreen". The aspect ratio (meaning 16:9, 4:3, 2.35:1, etc.) is not standardized in the film world - it is completely at the director's discretion, although most dvd releases are anamorphic, or 2.35:1. This means if your TV, which is 16x9 (and will therefor display HDTV broadcasts with no bars) is showing you a "widescreen" movie, there will almost certainly be bars on the top and bottom of the screen. When you change the setting on the remote to fill the screen, your TV is using a processing mode to stretch the picture. Most people can't tell if this is done skillfully. Personally, I'd watch it the way it was filmed, and live with the black bars (beware of burn-in if you are using anything other than a tube tv - you can probably make the bars grey which will help, and maybe even engage a picture shift. The little opaque logos on the screen of broadcasts, like espn or the nbc peacock can also burn in your screen. Static elements on video games can be problematic if you play a lot. But, if your tv is a tube television, you'll be just fine, so don't get scared.) Another issue is that your TV almost certainly displays HD images (which 480p, or progressively scanned dvd, is a variety of) only through component video connections (or dvi, if you've got it). This means you've gotta use the cables with the red, blue and green connectors to get the best picture. You'll be able to do this on a "progressive scan" dvd player or if your tv has a line doubler included. This will yield the best possible picture for dvd. If you use s video, composite, or god help you, coaxial video cable, you will be watching a 480i picture, which is not HD. You might as well be watching a normal TV in this case. Sorry to throw so much at you, but the bottom line is this. Your TV and PS2 aren't broken and there are no settings you need to change. The black bars are normal. Get component cables for a better picture (or dvi if your tv and player support it, which ps2 will not yet), and think about a progressive scan dvd player. They're really cheap now. Also, beware of burn-in of those bars if your screen is projection, plasma, lcd, or dlp. Also, don't be too disappointed, your widescreen TV kicks much more ass than a 4:3 set! __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam Last edited by ubertuber; 06-24-2004 at 07:56 PM..