why would my PS2's DVD picture suddenly appear "stretched out" after years of use?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve used my PS2 as a general-purpose DVD player for some time now with no issue. I use the component video outputs into a square SDTV with a flat picture tube. In the past few days, I’ve noticed that when I watch DVD’s, the picture is a tiny bit “stretched out” - people look just a little bit taller and thinner than they should. It’s a definite warping of the image, but I can’t figure out why.

  1. Regular TV signal looks completely normal.

  2. I tried switching between “4:3,” “16:9,” and “Fullscreen” in the PS2’s display options (i’ve always kept it on “4:3”), and it had no effect on the picture.

  3. My TV’s menu doesn’t have any sort of parameter that governs this.

What could be going on?

2

You need to re-install the anamorphic lens,
or maybe some electrolytic capacitors are aging.

3

So you’re saying I need to buy a new TV? It’s only four years old or so.

4

How’s it look with other inputs?

5

I’ll have to see if I can dig up the original composite cable. I don’t even know where it is.

6

That’ll tell you if it’s the input or the screen that’s changed.
…

7

Not the other input for the PS2 - try it with a regular DVD player, or some off-air signal.

Re-install the lens? On a direct-view CRT?

As for caps, there’s been buckets of problems with the bogus electrolyte formulas causing failed caps in computers from about five years ago. Are regular consumer electronics also being affected?

8

I’m still looking for my PS2’s original cables. I haven’t seen them in years, and they’re probably in a box somewhere. I have verified that:

  • I’m using my Wii with one of the sets of composite inputs with no problems.

  • The old VHS machine (hooked up to composite imputs) looks fine.

I’m going to try to borrow a DVD player to check out the S-video inputs.

9

Have you tried out your PS2 on a different television?

10

All right, I’m getting to the point where I think I’m losing my mind.

All of the DVD’s that appear “stretched-out” are from Netflix. They are, incidentally “Lost” Season 1 disc 1, “A Prairie Home Companion,” and “Henry Fool.” DVD’s I own, like the recent “Twin Peaks Season 2,” display perfectly normal.

Is there something up with Netflix’s DVD’s that I don’t know about?! I’ve used Netflix for years and never had a problem like this.

11

All right, here’s the final tally:

  1. The problem is present whether the PS2 is using component, composite, or S-video cables/output.

  2. Regular TV/broadcast signals looks totally fine.

  3. VCR signal looks totally fine.

  4. Wii (using composite input) looks totally fine.

  5. The problem doesn’t seem to be present on games.

  6. The problem is not present on DVD’s that I own.

  7. The problem appears to only be present on Netflix DVD’s.

Does this make any sense? The troubleshooting part of my brain feels like it’s taking crazy pills!

12

Is it only on DVDs that are in 16:9 anamorphic? Because Twin Peaks will be in 4:3.

13

First let’s be sure I understand the symptoms:
The TV works fine with any input other than the computer and the only time the computer’s input is wrong is when you use Netflix DVD.

Do you use separate software for Netflix DVDs?
If so I’d check for software settings for aspect ratio or widescreen settings.

Otherwise I’d test the Netfix DVDs in another player.
…

14

It’s a Playstation 2. I’m about to test it in another player and test another player on my TV.

15

For anyone who’s curious, I SOLVED this weirdo mystery earlier tonight.

It turns out that the PS2 has a hidden menu other than the main “system settings.” This hidden menu is accessed by choosing “stop,” then hitting “stop” again while a DVD is playing. This brings up that big translucent menu that you can use to type in chapters and stuff. It turns out that one of the options on there is “system” or “settings” or something like that, and it has a specific control for how the system handles anamorphic widescreen signals (that turned out to be the commonality among all of the “stretched” DVD’s). Mine was inexplicably set to 16:9, rather than 4:3, which is what my TV is. I switched it to 4:3; instant ifx.

Happy ending!