If it's not wide screen you maybe missing 1/3 the movie, but if it wide screen and you do not have a 16:9 TV, then you missing some of the vertical resolution. The number of vertical lines that is needed to make up the black bar's on top and bottom can result in a substantial loss of resolution in the viewing area.

There seems to be a different impact to the on the pictures resolution when the DVD is recorded in 16:9 Vs when the DVD directs the player to display 3:4 recorded picture in a 16:9 format. If anyone understands how this works, please post...

The best of both worlds seems to be a 16:9 set used to display a anamorphic 16:9 DVD. Then you
get the full picture without any loss of horizontal resolution.

Good resource: [Link: clapro.com]

-Jim