Choosing an Aspect Ratio
Standard NTSC television, video, and computer display images in a 4:3 aspect ratio. High-definition television or HDTV is shown in widescreen (or 16:9) format. Most films shown in a cinema display in an even wider aspect ratio than that. Our most popular screen aspect ratios, as you might expect, are also the 4:3 or 16:9 formats. But which one is best for you?
Quick Tip: Masking borders can be added (and potentially removed) as a way to eliminate the projected black bars you see when using your projector in its non-native format (ie 4:3 projector displaying in 16:9). Masking borders also enhance the perceived brightness of an image on a screen. The human eye perceives the image to have more contrast and a sharper picture with brighter colors.
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Common Applications |
Aspect Ratio |
Width/Height |
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NTSC Video (US Standard for TV broadcast) |
1.33 |
gray*, white*, or matte white* |
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PAL Video (European Standard for TV broadcast) |
1.33 |
white or matte white |
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HDTV Video (New standard for high definition TV - less common)
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1.78 |
white or matte white |
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Cinemascope* (35mm film format used in theaters)
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2.35* |
white or matte white |
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35 MM Filmstrip |
1.32 |
4:3 |
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Back to Help Selecting The Right Screen.
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