Aspect control ratio and video library?

[toomanyhandles]

I have a LCD TV with fixed 16:9 ratio. 4:3 regular TV gets stretched a bit, oh well. An Olevia LT23HVX. 1024x768 or 1280x1024 resolution for PC input. GForce MX440 via VGA out, PVR-350.

GBPVR has that nice feature where if I view a recorded program (or live TV with buffered mode) and I have the 16:9 TV format selected in config.exe, it will display the content resized with bars, super for my cheaper 16:9-only TV. This is great for recordings or buffered-mode live TV.

However I am unable to get the same effect when viewing a video_ts folder from the video library, or when playing a DVD from the disc drive. Instead of being full_screen 16:9 it will be "thin" with bars on top and bottom. I don't understand why this is... This happens whether the original source material is wide-screen or not ("Harry Potter" (i.e. recent) or "Hopscotch DVD" (1980 source material, doesn't SAY widescreen anyway). The chapter select part is full-screen for either, but actual content has bars on top/bottom.

I'd sure like to get DVDs (or video_ts) playing full-screen. I have the surround out from the computer in use, but not from the standalone DVD player, so prefer to play from the computer if possible.

I've toggled the 4:3/16:9 TV setting in config.exe with no change.

I looked at a couple threads, this one:
<http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=19874&page=2&highlight=widescreen>
mentioned the Nvidia aspect ratio bug, switching to VMR9 custom from VMR9 might help a little, DVD content might be a little "taller". Playing a 4:3 recording still is nicely resized and looks better than live (thanks for that!).

A fix or explanation of why this is would be great, it doesn't make sense to me. I'm pretty sure it make technical sense and I just don't get it but would love to find a fix. Hopefully I'm just missing something.

Thanks! Have a good holiday, all.

[sub]

There is no automatic aspect ratio control on DVD playback, but you can press F7 to change aspect ratios manually.

[toomanyhandles]

There is no automatic aspect ratio control on DVD playback, but you can press F7 to change aspect ratios manually.

Thanks. You just beat my edit of the post sorry about that.

F7 doesn't seem to change or toggle anything during DVD or recording playback. What should I see? I'm using the Intervideo decoder, which last I read/tried was best for my setup. I think I've covered all the bases for f7 switching not working based on searching past threads, but will not be surprised if I missed something (sorry in advance).

After switching to VMR9 custom, though, the border all around the content is equal on all sides, so perhaps I am where I should be? It's closer anyway, not nearly as compressed vertically as it was before. About 1" border all around, previously the top and bottom borders were each double that or more.

Should I be able to get full-screen (no black borders) from DVD playback with my setup? I'll continue to play with it if I know there's something to expect

Thanks very much for a great application. Not to mention the support.

[sub]

Its possible the video decoder you're using for DVD playback is trying to maintain the aspect ratio itself. For example, with the nvidia video decoder, you need to go into the settings and set it to anamorphic or it'll try to do the aspect ratio control itself (which is based on resolution rather than TV shape, so not always appropriate).

[toomanyhandles]

Its possible the video decoder you're using for DVD playback is trying to maintain the aspect ratio itself. For example, with the nvidia video decoder, you need to go into the settings and set it to anamorphic or it'll try to do the aspect ratio control itself (which is based on resolution rather than TV shape, so not always appropriate).

hmm.. I only have Intervideo and system default available as decoders in playback or DVD section of config.exe.

Intervideo WinDVD 5 (NVidia provided) when run from Windows and setup is chosen doesn't seem to have anything pertinent to set. the NVidia control panel itself I just have options to set TV and display resolutions, nothing about aspect ratios at all.

I think the best playback from Video Library material comes from VMR9 Custom, but if I have that set then I cannot get video output from a real DVD, just audio, I'm not sure where the video is being routed but I can't find it, the GBPVR window is black after flashing the chapter menu content briefly.
And even VMR9 custom doesn't give full-screen.

Suggestions for an ATI card? SHould I just dance on the GForce?