The 16:9 format is a type of widescreen shape for screens. It started being used in the 1980s and is now the normal shape for high-definition TVs and many computer screens. This shape is called an aspect ratio, and 16:9 is the most common one we see on TVs and computers nowadays.
In the past, TVs and computer screens had different shapes, but the 16:9 format became popular because it fits well with how our eyes see things. This format is now like a standard or a common way for screens to show pictures and videos.
Imagine the screen is 16 units wide and 9 units tall. This is what we mean by 16:9. It’s like a rectangle that’s wider than older TV shapes. People like this shape because it can show more things at once and is good for watching movies or playing games.
So, when we talk about 16:9, we’re talking about the shape of the screen, and it’s the usual way we see images on our TVs and computer monitors today.
What is The 16:9 Aspect Ratio?
The 16:9 aspect ratio is a way of describing the size of an image or screen. It tells us how wide it is compared to how tall it is. In simpler terms, if you imagine a rectangle, the width is 16 units, and the height is 9 units.
These units could be measured in pixels, inches, or millimetres, depending on the device you’re using. Technically, the 16:9 ratio is approximately 1.77:1 or 1.78:1, calculated by dividing 16 by 9, resulting in 1.777. This ratio is commonly used in films and TV shows to describe a widescreen format. For everyday discussions about TV screens, computer monitors, and laptops, we simply refer to it as 16:9.
Introduced in the 1980s, the 16:9 ratio quickly became the standard for TV sets and computer screens. Nowadays, it’s the international standard for various digital TV formats like UHD, HDTV, Full HD, and SD. Even DVDs only support this widescreen format. In easy terms, when people talk about 16:9, they mean the wide format, which is the opposite of the older “fullscreen” 4:3 ratio it replaced.
Evolution of the 16:9 Format
The 16:9 aspect ratio has a history rooted in technological advancements rather than the film industry. Created as a compromise, this format accommodates various ratios and emerged as a practical choice for widescreen displays in high definition.
Dr. Kerns H. Powers, a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), proposed the 16:9 aspect ratio in 1984. Experimenting with shapes that aligned with popular ratios of the time, he established 16:9 (or 1.77:1) as the geometric mean between 1.33:1 and 2.35:1. This made it compatible with ratios like 1.66:1 and 1.85:1.
The adoption of the 16:9 aspect ratio gained momentum in HDTV broadcasting, favoured for its versatility. The technique of “shoot and protect” became prevalent, allowing for filming in both 1.33:1 and 2.39:1 while keeping crucial action within the 1.77:1 frame. The European Union’s 16:9 Action Plan in the 1990s facilitated its integration into television.
After 2000, the computer industry gradually shifted from the 4:3 to the 16:9 aspect ratio, making it the standard for monitors, laptops, and LCDs. This transition, coupled with widescreen and high-definition resolutions, transformed personal computers into entertainment hubs. The uniformity between TV and monitor ratios streamlined hardware and content production, further accelerated by HD Blu-ray and video game consoles, contributing to the widespread adoption of the 16:9 format.
Also Read: What Are The Common Aspect Ratios in Film and TV
In the world of film and television, the aspect ratio, or the proportion of width to height, is a fixed characteristic. The specific camera equipment in use and the intended method of distribution determine this ratio. However, through editing and resizing, various releases with different aspect ratios can be created to suit different formats, such as widescreen televisions. For consumer convenience, the aspect ratio is often mentioned on Blu-ray or DVD boxes.
Over the course of film history, various aspect ratios have been used, but nowadays, you are likely to encounter four main formats.
- 4:3 Aspect Ratio (1.33:1): This traditional format, common in both TV and film, displays perfectly on 4:3 screens. However, it leads to vertical black bars on the sides, known as the “pillarboxing” effect. Widescreen TVs offer options to stretch or zoom in to mitigate this effect.
- Letterboxing (16:9 Aspect Ratio): Films with a 16:9 aspect ratio result in black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, creating the letterboxing effect. Zooming in to eliminate these bars may cut off parts of the image on the left and right.
- 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio: A popular widescreen standard for US movies, slightly wider than 16:9. When displayed on a 16:9 screen, it incurs minimal letterboxing with small black bars at the top and bottom. The default is to “overscan,” sacrificing a bit of information on the sides to remove the black bars.
- Panavision / CinemaScope (2.35:1 to 2.40:1): Evolving from 2.35:1 to 2.40:1, this ultrawide format requires both 16:9 and 4:3 displays to zoom in to eliminate black bars. Monitors with a 21:9 aspect ratio offer a comfortable viewing experience for this format.
What Are The Features of The 16:9 Aspect Ratio?
The 16:9 Aspect Ratio is an international standard format widely used in various visual media. It serves as the standard for High Definition Television (HDTV), Ultra High Definition (UHD), Full HD, Standard Definition (SD) digital TV, and analogue widescreen TV, including PALplus and NTSC widescreen.
This rectangular widescreen display is commonly found in most widescreen monitors and TV sets, providing a high-quality viewing experience for a range of content. Often referred to as “Sixteen by Nine” or “Sixteen to Nine,” this format is versatile, accommodating different aspect ratios with excellence.
Notably, the 16:9 ratio simplifies into the more technical expression of 1.77/1.78:1, making it accessible for those familiar with such specifications. Its widespread adoption makes it the standard aspect ratio for a multitude of platforms, including TV, cinema, online streaming, gaming, and social media videos. Embraced globally, the 16:9 Aspect Ratio continues to be a fundamental aspect of our visual media landscape.
What Are The 16:9 Screen Resolutions?
The size of computer monitors or TV screens can hint at their shape, known as the aspect ratio. However, the size alone doesn’t reveal the resolution, as even a large screen might have a low resolution. Specifically, for a 16:9 resolution, the width is divisible by 16, and the height is divisible by 9.
Screen resolution indicates the number of pixels in one horizontal line and the number of these lines, forming the width and height. The total pixel count results from multiplying these values. The aspect ratio reflects the relationship between width and height, with the resolution numbers being multiples of 16 and 9 for widescreen formats. Here’s an overview of common resolutions:
- 640 ✕ 360: 307,200 pixels (nHD)
- 854 ✕ 480: 409,920 pixels (FWVGA)
- 960 ✕ 540: 518,400 pixels (qHD)
- 1280 ✕ 720: 921,600 pixels (SD / HD ready – 720p)
- 1366 ✕ 768: 1,049,088 pixels (WXGA)
- 1600 ✕ 900: 1,440,000 pixels (HD+)
- 1920 ✕ 1080: 2,073,600 pixels (FHD / Full HD – 1080p)
- 2560 ✕ 1440: 3,686,400 pixels (WQHD)
- 3200 ✕ 1800: 5,760,000 pixels (QHD+)
- 3840 ✕ 2160: 8,294,400 pixels (4K UHD)
- 5120 ✕ 2880: 14,745,600 pixels (5K)
- 7680 ✕ 4320: 33,177,600 pixels (8K UHD)
- 15360 ✕ 8640: 132,710,400 pixels (16K UHD)
The most prevalent widescreen aspect ratio is Full HD with a resolution of 1920 ✕ 1080. Wide XGA or WXGA, with a resolution of 1366 ✕ 768, comes next, commonly used in affordable computer screens and LCDs.
To explore screen resolutions for a specific aspect ratio, you can use an aspect ratio calculator, to help you determine width, height, and the total pixel count.
Also Read: 15 Examples of Digital Media
The Significance of the 16:9 Aspect Ratio in Today’s Media
In today’s film production, the 16:9 aspect ratio is crucial for creating sharp and detailed images without sacrificing quality. This ratio plays a defining role in shaping the visual experience of movies and content viewed on home entertainment devices. Major streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Video, and HBO predominantly present their content in the 16:9 format.
Viewers often prefer content that completely fills their screens, favouring this immersive experience over versions with letterboxes or pillar boxes. While streaming services commonly use the 2:1 aspect ratio for new productions, traditional motion pictures stick to the 1.85:1 ratio, compatible with 16:9 devices. Filmmakers, such as Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan, may opt for wider ratios like 2.76:1 for IMAX or 70mm formats to achieve a unique visual impact.
Conversely, some filmmakers embrace the boxed-in feel of the 4:3 format or the 1.37:1 Academy Ratio. Before the widespread adoption of 16:9, TV shows were framed for the 1.77:1 ratio. Today, networks produce TV shows in the native 16:9 format to cater to modern preferences.
The 16:9 format is well-suited for modern smartphones, with early models featuring physical buttons and speakers below and above the screen. As smartphone designs evolved, adopting pinhole cameras and minimizing frames, aspect ratios expanded beyond 16:9 to 18:9, 19:9, 20:9, and even 21:9—identical to the 2.33:1 ratio of digital film.
Smartphone cameras offer various aspect ratios, enabling filmmakers to shoot 16:9 videos in 4K resolution or higher. The 16:9 format remains versatile for mobile video across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, each supporting different ratios for their diverse formats. With modern digital technology, filmmakers have the flexibility to choose almost any aspect ratio for their motion pictures.
