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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