by J.R. Powell

Created on: November 20, 2011   Last Updated: April 25, 2012

The aspect ratio of a television describes the ratio of the width to the height of it's picture area. 

To consider which aspect ratio is the better choice for a home theatre television, we can look at what have become the most common aspect ratios used theatrically.

The first films were silent films, and were made with an aspect ratio of 4:3 (1.33:1). When sound was added to films in the 1930s, the aspect ratio was changed slightly to 1.37:1 (Academy ratio) so that an optical soundtrack could be included.

The aspect ratio of television was standardised at 4:3 (1.33:1), which was the same as the aspect ratio of the first films, and very similar to the aspect ratio of Academy ratio films, the standard used for feature films until the early 1950s.

In the 1950s, various widescreen formats were introduced to cinemas in an effort to increase audience numbers which had reduced as a result of the increasing popularity of television.

Since these wider theatrical formats were introduced, the majority of theatrical releases have been made at aspect ratios wider than the 4:3 television standard. The standard aspect ratios used for theatrical releases in recent years have been approx. 2:39:1 and 1.85:1.

In the 1990s, widescreen (16:9) televisions were introduced. The 16:9 television aspect ratio gives a picture closer the aspect ratios currently being used for theatrical releases.

Today, the vast majority of televisions on sale are 16:9 widescreen ones. All current high definition broadcasts are based around the 16:9 standard. Since new 4:3 televisions are virtually non-existent today, there isn't really the option to buy one - except perhaps as second-hand.

A home theatre television which has an aspect ratio of 16:9 will give a picture with a ratio more like the original aspect ratio of the majority of theatrical releases, but still allow you to view television programmes and films that were made in the narrower 4:3 format, but with pillar-box bars (black bars) at the side of the frame for 4:3 content. A 16:9 TV is also ideal for watching high definition TV broadcasts. It is also the native format for high definition content on Blu-ray (high definition discs for titles with aspect ratios other than 16:9 get encoded with black bars as part of the picture).

While a 16:9 television gives a better theatrical experience than a 4:3 television for most feature films, it will still have black bars when showing 2.39:1 films (1.85:1 films may also have black bars on a 16:9

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>