Streaming video has black bars or is zoomed in too far
Black bars are correct — movies are filmed in wider formats than your TV is wide. If the picture is actually cropped (you can see stuff is cut off), check your TV's zoom or aspect ratio setting.
Different shows and movies are filmed in different widths (aspect ratios). Modern TV shows are 16:9 (your TV shape), but movies are wider. Black bars on top and bottom of movies are normal and correct — the director intended them. If your TV's zoom setting is on, it is cutting off the picture instead of showing black bars.
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step — just tap, no typing needed.
Skip — I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Using the zoom button to remove black bars from movies — this crops the picture and cuts off what the director intended to show
- Stretching 4:3 old TV shows to fill the screen — makes people look stretched and weird
Signs you need professional help
- Your TV doesn't have a Normal or standard picture size option
- Picture is blurry, not just having black bars
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