Inconsistent aspect ratio when playing back movies

[RLanger7228 73]

I searched this forum for ASPECT RATIO, and couldn't find any other posts that seemed to address this issue.  

My daughter noticed that some movies were in wide screen format (16:9, WS) but were playing back as a wide screen image within a full screen (4:3 FS) square box, even on a WS TV.  I checked random movies in my collection that I thought should be in WS format and found that many were playing back as FS, though this may be due to the source material (converted from DVDs with only a FS recording).  I also found examples of WS movies played back in WS format, filling the TV screen (as expected).

However, I did manage to find at least one example of a WS recording playing within a FS box (WS image with space all around it, when it could be filling the screen).  I searched my Apple TV client app and the main server app to look for display/playback settings, but could not find any WRT aspect ratio.  I checked the individual movies affected, and could not find anything about aspect ratio there either.

I can only assume that Emby automatically selects the aspect ratio based on the recording as it is it playing it.  But why would a WS recording play within a FS box?  Is there anything I can do about that for the movies that are "affected"?

[Luke 42077]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[visproduction 315]

RL,
Also check your media to see if there are black bars in the media playback.  You can do this by just looking up the dimensions, do some quick math or open the media in VLC or other player and change the zoom to 50% and back to 100% and see if there are black bars anywhere.  You might be dealing with the original media already having the bars built into the playback.  I hope that makes sense.

[RLanger7228 73]

Emby Client for Apple TV.  Space with black bars all around a WS image (photo of TV).  There was only one log for today.  Video information in 3rd SS - video details.

I tried downloading the video to my laptop & played it with the Quicktime.  The window that came up looks like a 4:3 ratio.  The image appears as WS within that (space on top & bottom, but NO black bars on sides (screenshot)). The file size in a little less that 1GB, so it is low res (maybe that factors into Emby's decision how to display?)  Or, perhaps, because Quicktime perceived it as 4:3, that is what Emby reacted to as well?

When playing back in Emby, I found the settings there DID have an aspect ratio option, and I was able to eliminate the black bars on the sides, but not the top & bottom (same as when played in Quicktime - so the top & bottom space seem to be part of the original media).  I am curious why emby wouldn't automatically pick one of the options to eliminate the side bars at least, since Quicktime didn't have them.

Just for a goof, I popped the video into a video editor, cropped the top & bottom bars off, and exported the video in 16:9 format.  The side bars disappeared, but the top & bottom ones were smaller, but still present.  I think that confirms the original source theory, though I am not sure how that would happen.  Since it is a low res recording, I am motivated to replace it with a better recording anyway.  Also, when purchasing used DVDs for conversion, I will pay closer attention to WS vs FS versions.

embyserver.txt

[RLanger7228 73]

After editing/cropping the video, exporting it as 16:9 & uploading to Emby, it now plays with no side bars, but still has bars on top & bottom (therefore, a source issue).

Edited November 3, 2024 by RLanger7228
autocorrect mistake

[Luke 42077]

Thanks for following up.