DVD picture too small using component cable


my dad has a cheap Sony DVD player and a Vizio 42" plazma TV and I hooked it up using component cables. I was surprised to see the picture did not fill the screen. It is stuck in the 4/3 spot (though widescreen mode) to explain: there are black bars to the sides and above and below the picture.

I have a Muse DVD player and 50" Vizio and I use component cables and it fills the picture completely or it may have black bars above and below but never on the sides.

Is this because the Sony DVD player is too cheap or too old? (it is both) What can I do? I went thru both carefully and could not find a resolution adjustment - I presumed the component cables determined that anyway...

thanks for any info!

Phil

128x128philjolet
Seems like your father is easy to please. He will be thrilled with an entry level br player. I suggest panasonic 60 or 65 for the money. This will give him the best use of his tv and bring out the best of his dvd by upconverting. Shop azon or better yet...here for a clean prev owned unit. For about the same price as a new unit you could get a much nicer unit here. Let us know what happens...and happy soon to be Fathers Day to all.
Rwwear: as noted above, the TV's size button stretches the picture out of proportion

thanks for the tip Mnnc
Sorry I missed the screen size deal. Something is not set correctly somewhere though and it could be the TV if not the player.
Rwwear do you not think the old cheap DVD player is the culprit? Elizabeth mentioned they were made for 4/3 screen ratio in the past and I believe that is true in this case.

thanks

Phil