Question on horizontal black bars (Pioneer PDP-LX508D)

[akarelias]

i am relatively new to the Home Cinema business and excuse my limited knowledge.

One of the problems I have with 16:9 DVD movies (including Blu-Ray) is the fact that whenever I watch such a movie there are black bands on the top and on the bottom of my 508D Pioneer television.

The same applies when I use the Dot-to-Dot adjustment as well. The only way to have the full screen active is when I use the Zoom feature, but then parts of the movie are not visible.

Since the movies are in 16:9 format and my television is also 16:9, should I be able to watch the movies in the entire screen?

I am using HDMI connection. My Panasonic Blu-Ray player is connected, via 1.3a HDMI cable, with my Onkyo 875 amplifier/receiver, which in turn is connected, via HDMI 1.3a cable, with the Pioneer television. I have tried to check all settings in the Panasonic Player, the Onkyo receiver and the Pioneer television, but until now I have not managed to solve the problem.

can anyone help me here please?

best regards

Andrew

[David Mackenzie]

This is a common misconception. Regardless of the format (be it DVD, Blu-ray, HD DVD), films come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The most common aspect ratio (2.35:1) is designed to give a wide viewing experience at the cinema and doesn't fit a TV, which isn't as wide.

So, what you're seeing is normal and what the filmmaker intended, so don't worry. You can read more about aspect ratios here:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/aspectratios/widescreenorama.html