2.39 Aspect Ratio for UHD and HD

[jtnorth]

Hi there,

I hope this isn't too terribly off base a question, but I have graded a recent video in UHD with 2.39 aspect ratio, which I calculated at 3840 x 1606.

Too clarify, you simply divided the width by the aspect ratio to achieve the height correct?

Here is my problem - when I go to create my HD deliverable at what should be 1920 x 803, there is a mismatch. 1920 x 730 seems to be the correct fit, but that would make for an aspect ratio of 2.63. A strange one.

Am I just missing some simple math here?

Thanks everyone.
- j

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Your math is correct so 1920 x 803 should be the same aspect ratio as 3840 x 1606.

 

[Marc Wielage]

That's correct -- though note that distributors usually prefer 2.40. (Splitting hairs.)

JT North should get the distributor's specs to make sure you're complying with their specific instructions on where they want the blanking to be set for delivery. There's some weasel room here where sometimes, one studio has specs for certain lines and other companies have slightly different specs.

Also, note that many distributors require a full-frame 16x9 pan/scan version as well as the letterboxed version for air on certain cable services that don't like letterboxing. (Not my idea, so don't shoot me -- it's what they demand.)

 

[jtnorth]

Thanks Marc. Good reminder.

And thanks David for confirming. Was starting to feel a bit crazy, and thought maybe math skills were to blame.

Turns out a pixel ratio had been bumped in the pipeline, but just not enough to be blatantly visually obvious. Made me doubt my world for a moment.

Thanks guys.