Aspect Ratio Explained

Definition

An aspect ratio describes the shape of a film image or a display device, such as a computer, television or a projection screen. It is the ratio of an image width to its height.

Original TV's had an aspect of 4:3, meaning a ratio of 4 wide for every 3 high. This equates to 1.33:1 if divided out (4 divided by 3).

Which Aspect is closest to Human Eyesight?

Human eyesight has an aspect of aproximatly 1.75:1. It's no coincidence, that TV's, movies and projectors have evolved to be close to this. If we divide out the 16:9 Aspect ratio, we get 1.78:1. So even though many people love Cinema scope (2.35:1 aspect) 16:9 is the closest to our natural vision

Widescreen - 16:9, 16:10, 2.35:1 etc.

Widescreen can mean a variety of things, it most commonly refers to an aspect that is wider than the Image on original TV's. Widescreen can range from 1.66:1, used for classic movies, all the way up to anamorphic (2.35:1). The ratio all depends on how the producer of the content wants it to look. Having said that data and video projectors tend to fall into two different camps.

The result from having a wider aspect ratio, is that there is more information on the right and left sides of the picture.

Basically, its the difference between these:

What we can see here, is the importance of content. Content dictates the aspect you need.

 

Original 2.35:1 movie clip

Edited for a 4:3 TV

 

 

Original 2.35:1 movie clip

Edited for a 4:3 TV

 

Content Letterboxing

Most movies are shot in widescreen. I can't think of a movie that has been shown in a theatre with a ratio of less than 1.85:1, except for the Blair Witch Project and several Disney animated features. For the great majority of films, when the transfer is done to video, information is lost on the left and the right sides because the image is blown up so that the top and bottom match the top and bottom on the TV screen. In order to preserve the ratio that the director intended, the picture must be displayed with black bars at the top and bottom of the screen (this process is called letterboxing). While this is the way that it is meant to be seen, most people find the reduced screen size annoying

 

Slide 1:16:9 screen, letterboxed 4:3 image

Slide 2: 4:3 screen, letterboxed 16:9 image

 

The resolution of your projector will dictate the results of letterboxing.

Projector aspect-ratios:

Note: 2.35:1 is not available as a standard aspect, but has been using special lenses in the past.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a projector to do a specific task, look at the aspect of the content you will be displaying. Content will tend to be widescreen from new laptops and from video streaming services like Netflix, Disney etc. If you have photo's in 4:3 you should be looking at an aspect ratio that displays it. Without compromise. Not sure what this means? Call Sales for help

If you are looking for a projector to cover a multitude of tasks, for example business presentations during the day, and home cinema at night. Its best you call sales, and let our experience guide you.

Once you have determined the Aspect right for you, look at the resolution guide to choose a resolution that produces your desired aspect.