Understanding Aspect Ratios

History

•Aspect ratio: the relationship between the width and height of a film image

•Late 1890s—Early 1950s

History

•As television became more popular, movie theater attendance began to decrease

•The film industry introduced wider (more “epic” aspect ratios

Examples1.85:1 (Academy Flat) 2.35:1 (Scope/Panavision)

Origin of the “Black Bars”

•“Black bars” on the top and bottom of an image are the result of a mismatch between ▫The aspect ratio of the media▫The aspect ratio of the viewing device

Origin of the “Black Bars”

•Widescreen displays are not immune

Dealing with the discrepancy

•Film studios regularly distribute two versions of a movie on DVD▫Widescreen (aspect ratio preserved, “black

bars”) Also called “Letterbox” or “Original Aspect

Ratio”▫Full Screen (modified to fit a 4x3 screen)

Also called “Full Frame” or “Pan & Scan”

How to Tell the Difference

Summary

•“Aspect ratio” defined▫1.33:1▫1.85:1▫2.35:1

•“Black bars” described•Widescreen versus Full Screen