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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Aspect Ratios

M

Michael Frymus

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What are the standard or most common aspect ratios used for films, commercials, music videos, TV shows, etc?
In North America

16:9
1.85:1
2.39:1

*Is it 2.39, 2.40, or 2.35?

Is there something narrower than 1.85 but not as much as 2.35?
I have a 16:9 TV and monitor. But always see the aspect ratio to be wider than that. Any idea what that could be?
 
Specs for 35mm scope projector aperture is 20.96mm x 17.53mm = 1.1956645 x 2 (optical unsqueeze) = 2.391329 : 1
DCI specs for digital projection of scope is 2048 x 858 or 4096 x 1716 = 2.3869463 : 1

The standard for 35mm scope projection was 2.35 : 1 until the early 1970's, then they reduced the height of the gate slightly to hide splices better, creating something a bit over 2.39 : 1. Then it was changed again in the early 1980's to standardize the width of all the sound projector apertures but the shape was still a bit over 2.39 : 1. People often either round this up to 2.40 in literature or use the old 2.35 number. Also, some projectors out there still have older scope apertures so some may be showing 2.35 still, and screen masking / curtains, etc. can change the shape as well.

Generally the standards for theatrical movies are now 1.85 or 2.40 (2.39...)
Video standards are 1.78 : 1 (16x9) or 1.33 : 1 (4x3, becoming outdated)

Other aspect ratios can be created by adding black borders to the image in one of these standard delivery formats. 1.85 and 2.40 theatrical movies usually rely on some amount of letterboxing in the 16x9 HD master to keep their original aspect ratios, though often a full-frame 16x9 version will also be made.

If you want something between 1.85 and 2.40, you can shoot 2:1 on the Red camera, and release it theatrically side-matted on a 2.40 delivery, or letterboxed on a 1.85 delivery. Some distributors may object. You can make a 16x9 HD master for broadcast and letterbox it to 2:1. There is always some dangers with picking non-standard aspect ratios, you increase the odds of them being mis-shown in some way.
 
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