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Image of a movie on Blu-ray with black bars on the top and bottom of the screen

Blu-ray player shows black bars across the top and bottom of the screen

Black bars on the screen means the aspect ratio of your TV is different from the aspect ratio of what you're watching, or basically, the video you're watching is wider than your TV. In order to show the entire video without cutting the left and right edges off, black bars are used at the top and bottom to fill in the extra space on your TV. If you don't mind the sides being cut off, then you can usually adjust your aspect ratio on your TV to reduce or remove the black bars.

Older TVs are called "standard" TVs and have an aspect ratio of 4:3. Most TV's since about 2009 are "widescreen" and have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Some other display devices (like computer monitors) have other aspect ratios. Ideally your Blu-ray player should be set to "16:9 Wide" when connected to a widescreen TV (Menu > Display > 16:9 Wide).

However, movie theaters often have other aspect ratios which can be adjusted to fit whatever the film director intended, in the attempt to provide a bigger, wider picture than you can get at home. So when these movies leave the big screen and come out on Blu-ray, they are often presented in their original aspect ratio so you don't miss any of the picture you would have seen in the theater.

Since this may not match the aspect ratio of your TV, you then have the choice to cut part of the screen off (which may make the picture look grainy), or just leave the space filled in with black bars. In some cases the screen can be stretched, but this rarely looks good. You can use your TV remote or menu to adjust between the choices it allows. See its user manual or manufacturer for instructions.

You can find the aspect ratio listed on the back of every Blu-ray disc cover. It may be listed under "Technical Specifications," "feature film," or simply as a number, such as 2.40:1.

Blu Ray Aspect Ratios

Samsung Blu-ray player is not responding

There are really only a couple of reasons for the picture being frozen or the Blu-ray player not responding. Either there is something wrong with the disc, or the Blu-ray player needs firmware update. It really is that straightforward.

Blu-ray player will not connect to the internet

For your Blu-ray player to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, it needs to be able to connect to the router, which lets it connect to the internet. There are many variables that can cause these connections to fail, but many of them are easy to fix. Knowing where the connection is failing will help you know what steps to take next.

Home theater and Blu-ray error messages

The only time you would get an error message is when the Blu-ray player or home theater cannot play the disc. This could be due to copyright protection, a required firmware update, or an issue with the disc.

Play button does not work to start a Blu-ray disc

The Blu-ray standard is an upgrade from DVD in a lot of ways, allowing the main menu to be much more interactive than a DVD disc. As part of this change in the standard, many Blu-ray discs block the Play button from being used on the main menu. Instead, use the navigation arrows and press Enter to get the movie started.

Disc will not play in Blu-ray player

There are several reasons a disc may not play in the Blu-ray player. A dirty or scratched disc is the most obvious cause, but an incorrect region code or configuration of your home theater system can be the reason as well. Whether you're having trouble with 4K or 3D, Blu-ray or DVD, there is a fix.

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