To quote your owners manual, bottom of page 21: "Consumers should note that not all high definition television sets are fully compatible with this product and may cause artifacts to be displayed in the picture. In the case of progressive scan picture problems, it is recommended that you switch the connection to the standard definition output. If there are questions regarding your Sony TV set's compatibility with this DVD player, please contact our customer service center."
So I think you anwered your own question.
I'm a little confused. Is it better to set Player to Progressive or Interlaced?? Read somewhere that interlaced gives a better picture??? I have a new Sony LCD widescreen TV KDF-55XS955. Still get black bars on top but do get a large widescreen view. I guess that is the DVDs setting?

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