1920×1080 aspect ratio playback issues

[Daniel Sametz]

1920×1080 is 16:9, I guess the problem is that he is watching it from a laptop that does not has a full hd resolution so in order to fit it the computer puts black bars in the top and in the bottom.
I am using a 13″ macbook pro and the video has the black bars but it´s full screen in the iMac.

[Leah Chapman]

Thanks for the response, Daniel. It makes sense that if he can’t display 1920×1080 on his laptop (if the resolution of the laptop is too low), then he can’t send the video to the switcher at the true aspect ratio.

Have you ever heard of a 16:9 1920×1080 “cinema” aspect ratio? I don’t like to suggest (politely of course) that people are BSing me unless I’m sure.

[Daniel Sametz]

Well unlease you put black bars in your footage I don’t understand why he says it,s not 16:9 according to your settings it is. Can you post a still?

[Leah Chapman]

Here’s a still shot:

[Leah Chapman]

Okay, I may have identified where the file gets letterboxed but still not how/why. When played in QuickTime or VLC in normal mode, it displays properly, like this:

When played in Full Screen mode in both QT and VLC, it displays like this:

Any ideas? Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out.

[Daniel Sametz]

That´s because your screen is not capable of displaying the true size of the Full HD, so it put´s the black bars to fit it, even when you are not full screen there´s space betwen the top and the bottom, you don´t see the black bars but you can see the empty space that is you desktop picture or backgroun programs.
When you put it on full screen you see that it says current size smaller as you proyect real size, that means that it can´t open it full.
Try watching your video on a Full HD monitor, like a new iMac or a 27 inch screen and you should see it complete and be out of doubts.

The 1.85 it´s a academic standard for projecting movies, that´s why even when you are watching a bluray movie it has the black bars in the top and bottom because it was filmed without that space in consideration even thou it´s being filmed or recorded.

[Daniel Sametz]

Don´t worry, I am glad to help and I know I don´t have the best answers but I always respond to the extent o f my knowledge to help or learn about the experts when they correct me, hehe. :).
But so far I think that I might not be that wrong because nobody has corrected me yet.

[Leah Chapman]

Well please know that I appreciate it. If I figure out what causes it, I’ll post it. But at this point I’m just going to push it back on the tech guy. Since my output is 1920×1080, it’s probably issue on his end.

[David Roth weiss]

[Leah Chapman] “Since my output is 1920×1080, it’s probably issue on his end.
“

No probably about it. If you’re giving him 1920×1080 video that’s all you can do on your end.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new Creative Cow Podcast: Producing Episodic TV with “24” Producer Michael Klick:
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POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Leah Chapman]

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do. This completely eluded me because it’s so simple. When QT enters full screen mode, it adds black at the top and the bottom to fill up the computer screen. The QuickTime player is not sending the 16:9 file to the switcher and thus to the LCD displays; it’s sending the dimensions of the desktop.

Occam’s razor. Thanks again for all the help, guys.