Why are black bars appearing around the picture on my HD TV?

Why are black bars appearing around the picture on my HD TV and what can I do about them?

If you see black bars above and below, on either side, or all around the picture, it's because the program you're watching is being broadcast in a format that is different from what your TV is programmed to show (i.e. when watching a standard definition channel on an HD TV).

There are a variety of options to minimize the effect of the black bars on your screen.

Press the * (Star)

For HD channels:

• Normal: Presents the program with no modifications.
• Stretch: Stretches the image and makes it wider.
• Partial Zoom: Stretches the image horizontally and vertically.
• Zoom: Stretches the image horizontally and vertically even more.
• Gray Bar: Adds gray bars to the sides of the image instead of black bars.

For SD channels:
• Normal: Presents the program with no modifications.
• Full Zoom: Stretches the image horizontally and vertically.

You can configure separate picture format settings for HD channels and SD channels. For example, you may choose Normal for all HD channels and Full Zoom for all SD channels.

If after adjusting the picture format settings on your receiver you don't see an improvement, you may need to change the picture format settings on your television. Please consult the owner's manual for your TV for more information.

Last Update:14/03/2012

Why do the black bars appear differently on certain channels?

Black bars will appear differently depending on the channel and/or how the program was originally filmed.

The examples below offer a brief explanation of the most common instances of black bars.

1. You're watching a standard definition channel on a high definition TV.
2. You're watching a standard definition program on a high definition channel. (I.e. older shows like Seinfeld and Friends were not filmed in HD so they must be broadcast in their original 4x3 format, even on an HD channel)

Example 2
Black bars all around the picture will occur when:

1. The HD channel you're watching is not broadcasting a true high definition program.
2. You're watching a program that was filmed in a widescreen format on a standard definition channel.

Example 3
Black bars above and below the picture will occur when you're watching a widescreen HD program that was filmed in a cinema widescreen format. A cinema widescreen format is wider than your HD TV screen.

Example 4
When the program you're watching fits your screen perfectly, you're most likely watching a widescreen program on a high definition channel.

Last Update:14/03/2012