When you watch a widescreen dvd

[zenza]

When you watch a widescreen dvd in the 2:35:1 aspect ratio do you get the black bars which appear at the top and bottom in equal proportion or do you get a larger black bar at the top of the screen and a smaller one at the bottom.

I was just watching the fast and the furious on my wega 28' today and noticed the top black bar being larger than the bottom one. Is this normal for movies in this aspect ratio or should the bars be equal in size?

[Narshty]

They should both be the same size. Sounds like either the disc is improperly framed (which I've heard nothing about) or your telly's geometry settings are AFU.

[Richie]

Actually the position of the image within the 16:9 frame can be dictated by the film-maker. Case in point is "The Insider" R1. Michael Mann had the 2.35:1 image positioned with a wider black bar beneath the image and a thinner one above. This was to replicate the way that a picture canvas is often framed by an artist and this is what Mann preferred for the presentation of this film.

[andrewh]

I also have a 28 inch wega and the bars are of equal length on my region 1 copy.

I think you might need to check the setting in your dvd players menu.

what player do you have and which region disc?

[zenza]

I have a pioneer and a rented copy of the disc (R2). I have set up my pioneer to display dvds in widescreen.

The difference in size of the bars is not huge but it is certainly noticable.

[Robby]

A few TV's and DVD players have the option of moving the picture around on screen. Maybe you need to have a look in the menus!!!??

[Dear Mr Echo]

Originally posted by Robby
A few TV's and DVD players have the option of moving the picture around on screen. Maybe you need to have a look in the menus!!!??

I have the KV32FX60 and although Robby is right to some extent it isn't an option when watching a film in "wide" (i.e anamorphic) mode if I remember correctly. Though like he says you may be able to do something similar from the DVD player.

Andrew