widescreen project on 4x3 tv at DVinfo.net

Antonie Koen · August 25th, 2009, 11:23 AM

I shot a fashion over the weekend in sd widescreen. My plan is for the final dvd to be in the widescreen format (16x9). My question: if this is a widescreen dvd project how will a regular tv (4x3) handle this when played in a dvd player? Will the dvd player automatically scale the dvd to fit the 4x3 screen by letterboxing it? My concern is for people without widescreen tv's, not being able to watch it in the proper aspect ratio.

Thanks in advance for any tips and suggestions.

Regards

John Cline · August 25th, 2009, 01:26 PM

There is a menu setting in every DVD player where the user can set the aspect ratio of the TV to which the player is hooked up. It normally defaults to 4x3 and you only have to change it if your player is hooked up to a 16x9 display. Assuming that this is set correctly then, yes, the DVD player will display your 16x9 program properly letterboxed on a 4x3 display.

Chris Harding · August 25th, 2009, 05:12 PM

Also, most DVD Authoring software will be able to give you an option on how the player handles widescreen on a 4:3 TV. I use DVDLab to make my DVD's (not DVDA) and they have options on the project so you can either "let the player decide", "show the video letterboxed" or "show the video cropped"
I personally think that most people are used to seeing letterboxed widescreen on their 4:3 TV as a black bar above and below the picture is something thye have come to accept! If you crop then make sure that any titles are within a 4:3 safe area not 16:9

Chris

Anthony Arago · August 25th, 2009, 08:23 PM

On most 4x3 televisions it should just show the 16x9 picture as letterboxed. Almost all the movies I put into my player do this, professionally made or not.

Antonie Koen · August 26th, 2009, 08:20 AM

thanks guys for your responses. Much appreciated.

Regards

August 25th, 2009, 11:23 AM	#1
Antonie Koen Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.A. Posts: 112	widescreen project on 4x3 tv I shot a fashion over the weekend in sd widescreen. My plan is for the final dvd to be in the widescreen format (16x9). My question: if this is a widescreen dvd project how will a regular tv (4x3) handle this when played in a dvd player? Will the dvd player automatically scale the dvd to fit the 4x3 screen by letterboxing it? My concern is for people without widescreen tv's, not being able to watch it in the proper aspect ratio. Thanks in advance for any tips and suggestions. Regards

August 25th, 2009, 01:26 PM	#2
John Cline Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 333	There is a menu setting in every DVD player where the user can set the aspect ratio of the TV to which the player is hooked up. It normally defaults to 4x3 and you only have to change it if your player is hooked up to a 16x9 display. Assuming that this is set correctly then, yes, the DVD player will display your 16x9 program properly letterboxed on a 4x3 display.

August 25th, 2009, 05:12 PM	#3
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Also, most DVD Authoring software will be able to give you an option on how the player handles widescreen on a 4:3 TV. I use DVDLab to make my DVD's (not DVDA) and they have options on the project so you can either "let the player decide", "show the video letterboxed" or "show the video cropped" I personally think that most people are used to seeing letterboxed widescreen on their 4:3 TV as a black bar above and below the picture is something thye have come to accept! If you crop then make sure that any titles are within a 4:3 safe area not 16:9 Chris

August 25th, 2009, 08:23 PM	#4
Anthony Arago Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pacifica, California Posts: 4	On most 4x3 televisions it should just show the 16x9 picture as letterboxed. Almost all the movies I put into my player do this, professionally made or not.

August 26th, 2009, 08:20 AM	#5
Antonie Koen Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.A. Posts: 112	thanks guys for your responses. Much appreciated. Regards