converted video has black bars
Black bars may appear around a video after conversion when the video’s aspect ratio doesn’t match the selected output settings. This often happens with older videos or vertical videos converted for widescreen playback.
This is normal, and you can adjust the settings before conversion to avoid it.
This is normal, and you can adjust the settings before conversion to avoid it.
What’s happening
A video’s aspect ratio is the ratio between its width and height.
Common examples:
When a video with one aspect ratio is played on a screen or exported with a different aspect ratio, black bars may appear to preserve the original image without distortion.
Common examples:
- 4:3 – older videos and standard-definition content
- 16:9 – widescreen displays, modern TVs, and HD video
When a video with one aspect ratio is played on a screen or exported with a different aspect ratio, black bars may appear to preserve the original image without distortion.
How to remove black bars before conversion
Step-by-step
- Click Edit next to the file you want to convert.
With Movavi Video Converter you can crop the video to match your target display’s aspect ratio.
If you use Movavi Video Editor and wish to remove black bars, please refer to this article.
If you use Movavi Video Editor and wish to remove black bars, please refer to this article.
- In the editing window, open the Crop tab.
- Enable Maintain aspect ratio.
- Select the aspect ratio that matches your target display (for example, 16:9).
- Adjust the crop frame so it covers the desired area of the video.
- Center the frame if needed.
- Click Apply.
- Click Done to close the editor.
After conversion, the video will match the selected aspect ratio and black bars will no longer appear.
Important notes
- Cropping removes parts of the image near the edges.
- If you want to preserve the entire frame, black bars may be unavoidable.
- Always preview the cropped area before converting the full video.
When to contact Movavi Customer Service
Contact Movavi Customer Service if:
Include:
- black bars appear even after adjusting the aspect ratio
- the crop tool does not apply correctly
- the issue occurs with all videos regardless of settings
Include:
- screenshots of the crop settings
- the original video resolution
- the selected output aspect ratio
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