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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.

Common Applications

Aspect Ratio

Width/Height

NTSC Video (US Standard for TV broadcast)

1.33

gray*, white*, or matte white*

PAL Video (European Standard for TV broadcast)

1.33

white or matte white


HDTV Video (New standard for high definition TV - less common)

1.78

white or matte white

Cinemascope* (35mm film format used in theaters)

2.35*

white or matte white

35 MM Filmstrip

1.32

4:3

Back to Help Selecting The Right Screen.

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