[Monty1977]

Only noticed this recently, wondering if it's the player or the files...

Whenever I play an XVid file that's not the correct aspect the DVD player ( TV is set to 16:9 so I don't think it's this) stretches the image to fill the screen - i.e. I dont get any black bars so the image is stretched vertically which looks horrible

Is this the player at fault? Or something I can rectify with the file itself? Have tried connecting via HDMI, component and SCART and it behaves the same way.

Thanks!
Adam

[unique]

the workaround on some files is set the dvd as 4:3 and then use zoom on the tv. it's annoying to do that but it works

[Monty1977]

Originally Posted by unique

the workaround on some files is set the dvd as 4:3 and then use zoom on the tv. it's annoying to do that but it works

Thanks, that's an extremely useful tip for the files I've already burned to disc - playing around with Virtual dub I've figured out how to add the bars to a file but it means re-encoding the entire file, not fun!

Cheers,
adam

[unique]

Originally Posted by Monty1977

Thanks, that's an extremely useful tip for the files I've already burned to disc - playing around with Virtual dub I've figured out how to add the bars to a file but it means re-encoding the entire file, not fun!

Cheers,
adam

i have the 950 which also has sacd and dvda playback, but i replaced it with a pioneer 696 as my main player as there were so many niggles with the sammy, and the divx support was part of it. it's a pain if you have lots of little clips in different aspect ratios. i just use the 950 as a second player in the bedroom now, and xboxes for divx/xvid

[Monty1977]

Originally Posted by unique

i have the 950 which also has sacd and dvda playback, but i replaced it with a pioneer 696 as my main player as there were so many niggles with the sammy, and the divx support was part of it. it's a pain if you have lots of little clips in different aspect ratios. i just use the 950 as a second player in the bedroom now, and xboxes for divx/xvid

So is the 696 any better in this respect? Will it pad the picture with boxes depending on the resolution of the file?

Thanks!
Adam

[unique]

Originally Posted by Monty1977

So is the 696 any better in this respect? Will it pad the picture with boxes depending on the resolution of the file?

Thanks!
Adam

if you have a widescreen tv, and play back a disc full of avi files in different aspect ratio's, it usually plays them back correctly. thus black bars at the sides of 4:3 material. i think some don't, but thats the way people create them i think (ie. old files).

they don't make the 696 anymore, it was replaced by a newer model, the DV600, which is reviewed at the following thread

Pioneer DV600 - Are there any online reviews?

there is another slightly cheaper model without sacd/dvda support, i think it's DV400