For all the brilliant websites out there, I have yet to find one that explains just “what I need to know” about aspect ratios. So I decided to put together a just plain vanilla post to understanding aspect ratios. I am taking and comparing the 3 most popular aspect ratios that films have been made in.

The Basic Knowledge Needed to Understand Aspect Ratios:

4:3 – That is the standard TV size. Remember that TV you had 10 years ago? Yeah… that had an aspect ratio of 4:3.

16:9 – Also known as widescreen, this is the aspect ratio of your new, cooler, hdtv you just bought.

The dark green represents the border of the 16×9 aspect ratio while te lighter grren border represents the 4×3 aspect ratio.

Aspect Ratios – And Why you Need To Know Them

Aspect ratios are those numbers you see on the back of your HD-Dvd, Bluray Discs, and DVD’s. They usually look like this. 1.33:1 or 2.35:1. If you want to understand every nitty-gritty detail about aspect ratios, this is not the post to read, but if you want to know which aspect ratio is best for your tv and why… this IS the post to read. Simply put, aspect ratios are how the movie was recorded onto film, in laymens terms, those blacck bars on my tv screen. So look at the screen shots to compare the “black lines” and you decide which aspect ratio is the best for you.

To aide in the simple explanation of aspect ratios, I will use the same screen shot of Yoda and of Lord of the Rings. Also for quick reference, look at the Aspect Ratios “Quick Stats” where I quickly represent how good it is for your tv and shows what you need to know.

Before you look at each aspect ratio, know this, each image is going to be made 1280×720 (Widescreen of 16×9 in aspect ratio) then the areas that are colored vanillaHD green will be displayed black on your hdtv. Thus, this is assuming you have a tv that is widescreen (16×9).

1.33:1

Screenshots:

Overview:
This is almost exactly the same as your old 4:3 tv set. So very boxy looking, not much width to the image. This is how you watch the simpsons.

Quick Stats:
Percentage of the screen filled on a 4:3 TV: 100%
Percentage of the screen filled on a 16:9 TV: 80% – Large vertical bars on both sides of the picture.
Overall Quality of this Aspect Ratio: 2

1.85:1

Screenshots:

Overview:
Ahhhh… My favorite! If you have a widescreen TV, this aspect ratio fills up every millimeter of your tv. Especially when you are watching hi-def stuff, this is just simply stunning! Some movies made in this aspect ratio are, “Corpse bride”, “Hulk” etc. If you want tp see a full list of movies in this ratio, you can look here.

Quick Stats:
Percentage of the screen filled on a 4:3 TV: 80% – Black bars on top and botom.
Percentage of the screen filled on a 16:9 TV: 100% – Perfect!
Overall Quality of this Aspect Ratio: 10!

2.35:1

Screenshots:

Overview:
Of the 3 most common aspect ratios, 2.35:1 is the most impressive. Simply because of its widespreding view. This is the aspect ratio of epic movies. When you think epic like gladiator and braveheart and starwars etc. think of this aspect ratio. The reason why it is so good, is becuase it gets closest to the way we view life. Our eyes view is wider than it is taller. But, if you have a widescreen tv or a hdtv, you will have those black bars on the top and the bottom, and some people just do not like that. but if you have a freakin big screen, this is probably the aspect ratio to go for. And once again, here is a lst of all the movies made in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1.

Quick Stats:
Percentage of the screen filled on a 4:3 TV: 60% -HUGE Black bars on top and botom.
Percentage of the screen filled on a 16:9 TV: 80% – Two horizontal bars on the top and bottom.
Overall Quality of this Aspect Ratio: 10!

Conclusion:

Aspect ratios can be confusing especially becuase the aspect ratio of your tv may be different. Either way, I hope I made it simple. If not, here is the recap.

If you own a normal tv, non hi-def, you have to ask yourself is it worth having those black bars on the top and bottom of the movie kinda shrinking your picture. But, in return you get the original aspect ratio the movie was shot in.

If you own a HDTV, do not go with the 1.33:1, besides that, it is a simple choice, do you want the movie to fill up your entire screen like 1.85:1 does? Or do you like the ultra widescreen feel of the epic 2.35:1, either way, it is your choice.

I hope i was helpful, if you have questions, feel free to comment on this post.