Important Notice: Our web hosting provider recently started charging us for additional visits, which was unexpected. In response, we're seeking donations. Depending on the situation, we may explore different monetization options for our Community and Expert Contributors. It's crucial to provide more returns for their expertise and offer more Expert Validated Answers or AI Validated Answers. Learn more about our hosting issue here.

What are the differences between the widescreen, letterbox, pan-and-scan, and full-frame formats?

0
Posted

What are the differences between the widescreen, letterbox, pan-and-scan, and full-frame formats?

0

These formats relate to the aspect ratio of a movie, or the width-to-height. Most televisions have an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 (4:3), narrower than many movies, which can be 1.85:1 or an even wider 2:35:1. When you watch these wider movies in their original aspect ratio on a 4:3 TV, you’ll get those black bars at the top and bottom of the picture, a process know as “letterbox.” Some people refer to these pictures in the 2:35:1 format as “widescreen” and use “letterbox” to describe the 1.85:1 format. These terms are used interchangeably, however, and at present there is no standard terminology. “Pan-and-scan” and “full-frame” are terms used for movies that fill up your entire 4:3 TV frame, but there are major differences between the two formats. “Pan-and-scan” movies are wider movies that have been modified to fit 4:3 frames by cutting off the edges of a scene or panning across to include images that wouldn’t fit the narrower frame. “Full-frame,” on the other hand, refers to movies shot i

Related Questions

Thanksgiving questions

*Sadly, we had to bring back ads too. Hopefully more targeted.