Aspect Ratio

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is an important thing to know about when you’re shopping for a wide-screen television. Many people are surprised to learn that when they watch DVDs on a wide-screen television, there are still black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. Often, the 16:9 aspect ratio of HDTV is confused with the even wider aspect ratios common in movies, which are shot anywhere from 1.85:1 to 2.35:1. Even with a 16:9 aspect ratio, wide-screen televisions still have black bars when watching some DVDs.

Most movies are filmed in a variety of aspect ratios. The most typical aspect ratios are the 1.85:1 and 2.35:1 aspect ratios. A wide-screen television has a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. As you can see, the DVD’s aspect ratio is even wider than a wide-screen television.

Aspect Ratio Converters

The black bars on a wide-screen television are much smaller than the black bars you see when watching the same movie on a television with conventional aspect ratio. The differences in aspect ratio on a regularly shaped television screen will mean that when you watch a DVD that’s recorded in wide screen, you’ll have large black bars on the top and bottom of your screen.

Wide-screen televisions offer a significantly greater viewing area than a standard aspect ratio television. So you should consider aspect ratio when you’re trying to decide between a standard television and a wide-screen television. If you are looking for an immediate, low-maintenance solution for your television set, then a conventional analogue television is most likely the right choice. Analogue televisions provide very good pictures from the moment they are turned on. Most often, very little work is required from an analogue television to achieve the maximum picture quality.

Monitor Aspect Ratio

If you plan to buy a set that is under 30 inches, your best bet might be a regular analogue television. But remember to consider the cost of a stand for your television to raise it to eye level. Also, remember that the flat display monitors are more expensive than sets with curved front glass panels. If you want the ease of a tube television but prefer the increased viewing area on DVD playback, buying an analogue wide-screen television is a viable option. Remember though that standard television programming has to be stretched to fit the wide-screen television. When you’re shopping for a television, you should consider the aspect ratio to determine which television is the best one for you.