Really 2.39:1 but usually rounded up to 2.40:1.Ī majority of major released films released after 1970 use this aspect ratio. This is the 35 mm anamorphic from 1970 onwards. Often referred to as "Filmed in Panavision" or 'Scope. This aspect ratio is much wider than the HDTV 1.78:1
The anamorphic standard has subtly changed so that modern anamorphic productions are actually 2.39 (2:40:1) but often referred to as 2.35 anyway due to old convention.Ī majority of major released films use this aspect ratio and this is why most people choose this aspect ratio screen when building a dedicated home theater where movie watching out weighs sports and gaming. This is the 35 mm anamorphic standard prior to 1970, used by CinemaScope ("Scope") and early Panavision. This aspect ratio is slightly wider than 1.78:1. It was widely used to save money on film stock while shooting.
This is an aspect ratio allot of past and recent films were shot with. This is also one of the most popular choices for home theaters and media rooms when sports and gaming outweighs movie watching.Īlso known as the 35 mm US and UK widescreen standard for theatrical film. This is now a standard aspect ratio in the USA and all HD projectors (720 or 1080) natively project at this Aspect Ratio. The 1.78:1 aspect ratio was the compromise between the 35 mm US and UK widescreen standard (1.85:1) and the 35 mm European widescreen standard (1.66:1) This is the international standard format of HDTV as used in the United States, Australia, Japan and Canada as well as in Europe on satellite and non-HD widescreen television (EDTV) PALplus.
This is not a standard aspect ratio in the USA.Īlso referred to as 16:9, High Definition, HDTV or Widescreen. This is the 35 mm European widescreen standard aspect ratio. When cinema attendance dropped, Hollywood created widescreen aspect ratios (such as the 1.85:1 ratio mentioned later) in order to differentiate their industry from the TV.Īlso reffered to as 5:3 and sometimes expressed more accurately as 1.67.
By having TV match this aspect ratio, films previously photographed on film could be satisfactorily viewed on TV in the early days of the medium (i.e. 4:3 is the aspect ratio defined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a standard after the advent of optical sound-on-film. The 4:3 ratio for standard television has been in use since television's origins and has been used for many computer monitors. Many classic movies were made in this aspect ratio. This aspect ratio is becoming the aspect ratio of the past as 16:9 HD (High Definition) is becoming the new medium. Square format screens can be rolled down or up to simulate Widescreen/HDTV viewing.Īlso referred to as 4:3, Standard Definition, NTSC or Academy. Square format is 1:1 - this is most commonly used for slide projection. When watching 4:3 content, you will have black bars on the sides of your projected image. However, when you watch 2.35 and 1.85 movies you will have black bars above and below your projected image. If you are purchasing a screen for a media room or primary viewing of HDTV channels and video game playing, then we would suggest a 1.78:1 (16:9) projection screen. However, when you watch 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio content on your 2.35/2.40 projection screen, you will have black bars on the left and right of the projected image. If you are building a dedicated room geared mostly towards movie watching, then we would suggest a 2.40/2.35 Aspect Ratio screen since this is what most movies are usually shot in. To figure out what aspect ratio may be best for you, you may consider the following: 16:9 aspect ratio screens are a perfect match to today's HD video projectors.
So which aspect ratio is best for you? Today, the most commonly sold aspect ratios screens for home theaters are 1.78:1 (16:9) and now growing 2.35:1 (CinemaScope).