Aspect ratio refers to the relationship between an image's width and height. Common movie aspect ratios include 1.33:1, 1.85:1, and 2.35:1. Black bars appear on the top and bottom of images when the aspect ratio of the content does not match the viewing device. To deal with this, film studios distribute movies on DVD in both widescreen format, which preserves the original aspect ratio with black bars, and full screen format, which modifies the image to fit a standard screen size.

1. Understanding Aspect Ratios

2. History Aspect ratio: the relationship between the width and height of a film image Late 1890s—Early 1950s

3. History As television became more popular, movie theater attendance began to decrease The film industry introduced wider (more “epic” aspect ratios

4. Examples 1.85:1 (Academy Flat) 2.35:1 (Scope/Panavision)

5. 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

6. Origin of the “Black Bars” Widescreen displays are not immune

7. 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”

8. How to Tell the Difference

9. Summary “ Aspect ratio” defined 1.33:1 1.85:1 2.35:1 “ Black bars” described Widescreen versus Full Screen