Viewing DVD's

[mikew]

Hi Y'all,
Just got my new P4 1.5gb with LG 16x10x40 dvd using Windvd. My question is: When viewing a dvd movie or downloaded movie that is "wide screen" is there some software available that will allow me to change to a full screen standard view and get a decent picture without elongating all the charactors etc.
Thanks for any advice.
Tanzie The Old Fart

[YODA74]

I believe you can click on View Scroll down to full view click on it or hit F-11

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[mikew]

Maybe I did'nt explain too well. What I mean is that sure I can go to full screen but the move still plays in a wide screen format. i.e a couple of inches of black screen at the top and bottom of the monitor.
Tanzie The Old Fart

[Whyzman]

Hmmm, I thought that the option was accessible as a function on the DVD itself if it was available?

Need help here! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Found this while we await the Big Kahunas: FYI and intellectual uplifting CLICK HERE (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/)

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 11-27-2001).]

[YODA74]

well I think after reading the link that you gave Whyzman pretty much explains what the problem is.Don't own a DVD so am not sure but it looks like it is in the DVD it's self? could be wrong on this.Certain movies recorded one way others another I believe the little women has a couple of movies on VCR that do the same (made for wide screen TV)

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[Whyzman]

Whew, Yoda, that was a little distressing on the old cranium...unlike purchasing a larger HDD we need to cram more into the same old space...sometimes it hurts! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif Oh what a Whaaa I am! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Looked a bit deeper and found that some DVDs actually have both Pan&Scan, which is our standard TV format, and anamorphic which is the Widescreen. Although Anamorphic only discs can be manipulated to work on the old 4:3 standard TV ratio.

It also appears that if the DVD is only in Widescreen (anamorphic) that the player WinDVD/PowerDVD etc., do have a feature to adjust them so they don't look disproportionate.

So, in answer to the query...it appears they are adjusted through the Player of Choice. I'm gonna have to put one on and check this out...I use PowerDVD...will post back with results.

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Here's what I found out:

A Knight's Tale is a good flick! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Back to reality...A Knight's Tale is Wide Screen only. If I elect to use the "Keep Screen Aspect Ratio" on my 21" monitor I will get very small black boarders and the picture looks proportionate even at 235:1.

If I turn off Keep Aspect Ratio and go to 235:1 (which will fill the screen) every body gets taller.

Remember the Titans, also a great flick: http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Titans is Full Screen only. And, it will go full screen without distortion.

So, what I found out is that it is a combination of DVD format and Player. If you want no black at all with no distortion then your choices would be limited to FULL SCREEN format to be able to do so. IMHO! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[mikew]

OK. While waiting for you guys to come up with the best answers I have tried a few players. I have Quicktime, Realplayer, WindowsMedia and one called "The Playa". The one called The Playa seems to be the only one that allows aspect ratio adjustment. It has an original format, a TV 4:3 mode and a Custom Mode which is fully adjustable. This gives the best picture I can find. I can view wide screen movies on the computer with only approx. 1/2" of blank screen top and bottom and with normal size charactors. It also works with some downloaded movies but not all.
All comments welcome and thaks for your efforts guys.

Tanzie The Old Fart