Stupid aspect ratio question

[DJ Teknosys]

Are 16:9 HDTV's still supposed to have the black "letterbox" bars on the top and bottom of the frame when watching an anamorphic widescreen DVD? I was under the assumption that when viewed on a widescreen TV the whole image would fill the screen. Isn't that the point of having a 16:9 TV? I just bought a Panasonic PT-53WX52 53" HDTV and widescreen DVD's still look letterboxed. I thought it was my Apex DVD player, so I went out today and bought a Panasonic S55 progressive scan player. It is hooked up via component cables, and I'm sure all settings are correct on the player, I specified 16:9 display etc... Am I just an idiot? When playing SOCOM on the PS2 set to progressive 16:9 output, It looks great and fills the screen. What should I try?

[zhnujm]

You have a 16:9 TV = 1:1.8 aspect but most movies are in in 1:2.3 aspect ratio. You will still have black bars with a widescreen tv, but the bars are much smaller. Some movies are also in 16:9 format and will fill your complete screen.
Or zoom with your dvd player, most have presets to fill a 16:9 tv screen.

[DJ Teknosys]

Thanks!

[j1d10t]

Your DVD player most likely has a setting in the set-up menu to tell it what type of TV you have, and what you want it to do - 4:3 (letterbox), 4:3 (zoom), and 16x9. Also keep in mind that some movies (like Star Wars) are shot in 2.35:1, resulting in a small black bar at the top and bottom of your screen.