Weird DVD Image Format

[Ben]

So I watched "Armageddon" yesterday, and the DVD Netflix sent me popped up as shown below. This is the smallest image I have ever seen on a DVD. Even when I switched my TV to "wide fit"  I still had black space all the way around (and of course everyone got fat). I'm of course accustomed to having horizontal blackspace on theater DVDs, but never the vertical blackspace in 16:9 format. A "normal" DVD of a theater release shows up on my TV with no blackspace side to side, and about half the blackspace top to bottom compared to this image.

I especially thought it was weird given the age of the movie. If anything, something for 1997 should be lower rez, and thus filling more of the screen, versus showing as a smaller image than any current movie DVD I watch.

[Brad Johnson]

Something wonky. 2.35:1 widescreen should show up as you are accustomed, with small black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

It may be as simple as a one-time synch error between the TV and player. Are you playing the disc on a DVD or Blu-Ray player? What model and I'll look up the settings.

First, though, check that your player output is set specifcally to 16:9 and not "auto" or some other variable. The player defaulting to a 4:3 aspect ratio output could result in a 16:9 TV displaying the image as shown in your pic.

Brad

[Ben]

Brad, it's a Samsung Blue Ray, BD-HM57C.

It's especially weird because I have a Samsung TV as well, and the TV has gotten along better with this player regarding image formats than it has with any previous players. This is the only time I've ever run into an issue like this.

[Brad Johnson]

The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards the BD player being set, or switching to, 4:3 output format. The other possibility is the TV switching pic/view setting to something other than standard viewing mode (terminology varies by mfg).

Before doing anything else update the player and TV firmware (presuming it doesn't update automatically). It's a selection in the Settings menu.

Edit to add...
Looked at the instructions. Go to your player settings and switch the Display setting to 1080@60F (Movie Frame: Off). If set to BD Wise or Auto it downmixes the output from DVD source material. This may be confusing the TV's aspect ratio autodetect feature and it's trying to compensate by switching to a framed 4:3 display mode.

Brad

[Ben]

Display doesn't specify @60 - it just has 1080p or 1080i. It was set to auto though. Format was already set at 16:9.

Of course the only way for me to test this is to put "Armageddon" back in my queue, as I already sent it back. I've never had the issue with any other DVDs.

[Brad Johnson]

1080p.

Interesting as the instructions are very specific about settings.

Go ahead and update firmware, too. Both units. Good insurance against future issues. Over the years I've encountered several playback issues fixed by a BD player firmware update.

Brad

[Ben]

I'll do that - thanks!