Why does my ripped DVD (WS) have letterbox on my widescreen TV?

[katlove]

I'm using Handbrake to rip a widescreen DVD to my IMac using the AppleTV setting and then importing to Itunes ... when I play the movie on my widescreen TV it is letterboxed - what am I doing wrong?

[Chundles]

If your TV is 16:9 (which is most likely) and the movie is shot in 2.35:1 then there will be letterboxing because the aspect ratio of the movie is wider than that of the TV.

Only 16:9 content will appear on your TV without either bars at the top and bottom or the sides (for 4:3 content).

[bruinsrme]

what movie?

is the aspect ratio 1.85:1 (16:9) or 2.35:1 the latter will give you letter box regardless

[katlove]

I've had multiple 16:9 movies do this ... the most recent is Eagle Eye that I ripped last night. I'm guessing that there is a setting that I'm missing somewhere.

[Chundles]

I've had multiple 16:9 movies do this ... the most recent is Eagle Eye that I ripped last night. I'm guessing that there is a setting that I'm missing somewhere.

What's the aspect ratio of Eagle Eye? IMDB says it's 2.35:1 so it would have letter boxing on a 16:9 screen.

[katlove]

Hmm ... good question, I assumed since the DVD says widescreen that it would automatically be 16:9.

[Chundles]

Hmm ... good question, I assumed since the DVD says widescreen that it would automatically be 16:9.

Widescreen means "wider than 4:3."

Most movies are shot in aspect ratios wider that 16:9, it's really only TV shows that are shot strictly in 16:9 with a lot still in 4:3.

[katlove]

That makes sense ... thanks for the help!!