If a DVD is 16:9 widescreen and your plasma is 16:9 aspect then why are there black bars on top & bottom?

ok so i have a 16:9 aspect plasma tv and i started buying dvds years ago all in 16:9 widescreen format so when i finally upgraded they would fill the entire screen.. but i swear most dvd's dont unless i zoom, but then some of the picture gets cut or i cant read subtitles... what the heck is up with this? Why doesnt it fill the screen. I get the bars on the top and bottom in 16:9 mode on the tv.

Answer:
Well, you ever read the Aspect Ratio listed on the back of the DVD Case?

TRUE 16:9 Aspect Ratio is 1.7777 : 1
Most Films-Movies actually use a 2.3 : 1

So it's WIDER than your Wide Screen TV..

That's just the nature of the beast.TV and Filmmakers use STANDARDS, unfortuanately I THINK they don't want to work with each other, as they are competing for your money.

So you want to see a Film fill the screen? The filmmaker will provide that experience.in a movie theater!
Widescreen varies. Many widescreen movies are 2.35 to 1. Other ratios exist. Some DVDs are released in 16:9, which should fill the screen on your plasma. If the picture reaches the horizontal edges and is not distorted, then the aspect ratio of the movie is probably wider than 16:9. Read the box carefully, many times the actual aspect ratio is listed.
It's related to how the video signal is actually compressed in the frame on the DVD. See the site listed in the source below for some good information on video aspect ratios and DVD recordings.
Most tvs and dvd players nowadays have there own option in the menu to set it at 4:3 or 16:9 check both.

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