Explanation of Aspect Ratios
What is the Right Aspect Ratio for you?
Simply put, aspect ratio is the shape of a screen. The screen could be square, rectangular or a really stretched rectangle so aspect ratios define that shape so that the screen and projected content will match with one-another.
The aspect ratio defines that for any set number of horizontal units of measurement, there will be a specific number of corresponding vertical units of measure that are equal.
In other words, a 4:3 aspect ratio means that for every 4 units of horizontal measurement, there will be 3 equal units of vertical measurement.
With a 16:9 aspect ratio, for every 16 units of horizontal measurement, there will be 9 equal units of vertical measurement.
Using this logic, a 1:1 aspect ratio would be squared, whereas a 2.35:1 screen would be 2.35 times wider than it is high.
All of them have a valid purpose.
In other words, a 4:3 aspect ratio means that for every 4 units of horizontal measurement, there will be 3 equal units of vertical measurement.
With a 16:9 aspect ratio, for every 16 units of horizontal measurement, there will be 9 equal units of vertical measurement.
Using this logic, a 1:1 aspect ratio would be squared, whereas a 2.35:1 screen would be 2.35 times wider than it is high.
All of them have a valid purpose.
Ratio |
Value |
1:1 |
1:1 or “Squared” screens are still used by commercial operations, research and educational facilities. These are especially suitable with overhead projectors since the projector and screen have matching aspect ratios. |
4:3 |
4:3 or NTSC is the original TV format. It is based on the actual field of vision that a pair of human eyes have. They are also used mainly with commercial and educational facilities. |
16:9 |
16:9 or HDTV is the most common aspect ratio in use today. It is the standard aspect ratio of most TV flat panels and projectors on the market today. |
2.35:1 |
2.35:1 or Cinemascope, or “Widescreen” is based on the original 35mm format of motion picture production. This is the typical format used in the movies shown in today’s theaters. |
Formatting your projector’s aspect ratio with a matching format of your projection screen is important. While 1:1, 4:3, and 16:10 aspect ratios are ideal for commercial applications, 16:19 is ideal for home theater and it can “letterbox” 2.35:1 content when needed. But for the dedicated movie enthusiast, a widescreen format would be best.
Projection Screen 101