Playing DVDs on my DVD player!

[Djlethal01]

Sup?

I have a Panasonic RV30 DVD Player and i have this problem all my widescreen dvds, they appear fullscreen not widescreen with the blackbars, what should i do i cant find any setting to change this? i have tried gladiator, shrek and other dvds please help!

note: i have a regular sony 27inch trintron

[ember]

Your DVD setup screen should (may??) have a 4:3 (regular) and 16:9 (Widescreen) option. Choose 4:3 to see in letterbox format, choose 16:9 to see in anamorphic - the latter is for 16:9 Widescreen TVs.

[Djlethal01]

how do i get in to the menu? i dont think i have one on this dvd player. thanks.

[Djlethal01]

nevermind i got it, it was in the menu thanks quick question what is better for 4:3 tv lettebox or pan & scan it looks about the same thanks agian

[ember]

The answer is very subjective: to see how the director intended - view as letterbox. This is what you see (albeit on a larger scale) at the cinema. If you hate black bars- view as full screen - this option may be available on one side of the DVD - this is true Pan&Scan. You may also have a zoom feature on your DVD too enlarge the letterbox picture to full screen. This is not true Pan&Scan. The picture you see is always the center ofthe film. It will not follow the action.
Before I bought a WS tv I watched in leterbox on a 29" regular TV. Clearly- for smaller TVs and films with larger aspect ratios (like 2.4:1) the picture will look small. It really is your call.