wider screen on computer vs TV set top DVD player

It seems that I can play DVDs on the
computer and get wider screen, than
if I use a TV set top DVD player...

The thing is, why?  And I tried it
on 3 set top DVD players that I have,
and it is the same.

I also tried to set the DVD player to
Pan/Scan, Letter Box, and 16:9
and still the same:  I can't see the
screen as wide as if I play it on the
computer  (Win XP and PowerDVD).

Is there a way to solve this problem,
so that we get the wider version also
on TV?  One solution is to use the
computer to play it and output to a TV
but it is too much trouble.

<<inline: scent of a woman on Win XP.JPG>>

<<inline: scent of a woman on DVD set top player and TV.JPG>>