The present invention is directed towards enabling a set-top box, a cable card, or a television to insert data into horizontal or vertical bars on a display image. More specifically, when an aspect ratio of a program is converted, letterboxing bars are used either along the horizontal or vertical edges. Within these edges, data is then composited at appropriate times to display such things as program information, television information, personal settings, etc. Additionally, graphical bars may be rendered in order to block any received data from being inserted into these bars.