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A handy guide to Aspect Ratios and Video resolutions

  • Writer: Sharmistha Chakrabartty
    Sharmistha Chakrabartty
  • Apr 30, 2024
  • 2 min read



Resolution : Total number of pixels arranged horizontally and vertically in a display screen. It is a spatial resolution. A temporal resolution would mean Frame rate (FPS).

Aspect ratio : The proportional relationship between the width (Horizontal) and height (vertical) of a frame.

Formula : Width of the frame divided by the height of the frame (W/H)


For TV and Digital Displays, the resolution value represents the vertical resolution since it depends on the scanning of lines horizontally. However, for DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative) or theatrical projection, the resolution value indicates the horizontal resolution as it is measured in terms of vertical lines.


Here is a list of currently popular screen resolution.


DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) Resolutions:

  1. 2k (Full) = 2048 × 1080

  2. 2K (Flat) = 1998 × 1080

  3. 2k (scope) =  2048 × 858

  4. 4k (Full) = 4096 × 2160

  5. 4K (Flat) = 3996 × 2160

  6. 4k (scope) = 4096 × 1716

  7. 8k (Full) = 8192 × 4320

  8. 8K (Flat) = 7986 × 4320

  9. 8k (scope) = 8192 × 3432

K stands for Kilo. 1 kilo = 1024 (4k = 4 x 1024 = 4096)

Full = 1.9:1, Flat - 1.85:1, scope = 2.39:1

DCP only allows these 3 aspect ratios, Flat and scope being most common though.


TV Resolutions:

  1. 480p (SDTV): 720 × 480

  2. 576p (SDTV): 720 × 576

  3. 720p (HDTV): 1280 × 720

  4. 1080p (Full HD): 1920 × 1080

  5. 2.7k (UHD): 2704 × 1520

  6. 1440p (QUAD HD): 2560 × 1440

  7. 2160p (4K UHD): 3840 × 2160 pixels

  8. 4320p (8K UHD): 7680 × 4320 pixels


SD = Standard Definition, HD = High Definition, UHD = Ultra High Definition,

QHD = Quad HD (2 times the Full HD and 4 times the HD). Often used in VR, smartphones and computer monitors.

Most of them are 16:9 (except the SDTV)


Lesser Used:

  1. IMAX DIGITAL (can vary): 4096 × 2160 (4k full) + 6144 × 4096

  2. 5k: 5120 × 2880

  3. 6k: 6144 × 3456

  4. 10k: 10240 × 4320

  5. 12k: 12288 × 6480


This is a handy guide to aspect ratios and video resolutions:

Name

Aspect Ratio

1080p

QUAD HD

4k (UHD)

Super 35 mm

4:3 (1.33:1)

1440 x 1080

1920 x 1440

2880 x 2160

Academy ratio (35 mm)

1.37:1 (or 1.375:1)

1480 x 1080

1973 x 1440

2959 x 2160

HDTV /Standard Widescreen

16:9 (1.77:1 or 1.78:1)

1920 x 1080

2560 × 1440

3840 x 2160

35mm widescreen (for theaters)

1.85:1

1920 x 1038

2560 × 1384

3840 × 2076

35mm Anamorphic (Cinemascope) pre 1970

2.35:1

1920 x 817

2560 × 1089

3840 × 1634

35mm Anamorphic (Cinemascope) post 1970

2.39:1

1920 x 803

2560 x 1071

3840 × 1607

Vertical

9:16

1080 x 1920

1440 x 2560

2160 x 3840

square

1:1

1080 x 1080 (1920 x 1920)

1440 x 1440

2160 x 2160

I wanted to provide a quick and handy guide to Aspect ratios and video resolutions. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but just some commonly used ratios and resolutions.


For further calculations, go to this brilliant website : www.digitalrebellion.com/webapps/aspectcalc


If you need to download letterbox and pillarbox, here is an excellent website for that :


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