Video Asylum

Posted by Joe Murphy Jr (A) on February 12, 2004 at 19:47:30

In Reply to: Re: dvd widescreen on Sony 34" XBR910 16x9 posted by Jonthomasdesigns on February 12, 2004 at 19:16:24:

The great majority of movies on DVD are recorded in a 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio, so they are not the same aspect ratio as your 1.78:1 (16x9) display. About the only 1.78:1 material you are going to get is from HDTV, which is transmitted in 16x9.

When the DVDs refer to being Enhanced for 16x9 Displays, they really mean that the DVDs are anamorphic -- not 1.78:1.

However, since 1.85:1 movies are pretty close to 1.78:1, your Sony should have a mode that slightly zooms the picture to make it fill the screen. You'll lose a bit off the sides, but not too much.