Aspect Ratio refers to the shape of the picture projected on the screen, expressed in a ratio of width to height. The two most common formats used at the Drive-In are:
 |
"Flat" films use an aspect ration of 1.85:1. |
|
Anamorphic format, a.k.a. Cinemascope, commonly called "Scope" films use an aspect ration of 2.35:1. Some of the newest "Scope" films are being produced with an aspect ratio of 2.40:1. |
Other formats that older films used include:
|
Television Format - 1.33:1 (Original silent movies) |
|
Academy Format - 1.37:1 (Early movies with sound up to mid 50's) |
|
Cinerama - 3:1 |
Standard television uses an aspect ration of 1.33:1. You'll note that the picture size is slightly small than cinema "Flat" and much smaller than cinema "Scope" formats. This is why the picture appears cropped, most noticeably on "Scope" films. Normally, the television broadcasters change their picture size to a letterbox style, cropping the top and bottom of the screen and then shrinking the size of the image. Many times you see this during the credits. During the movie, they project the film at normal height, but the sides are cropped to fit the width of the television.
There has been a recent trend to show "Scope" films in letterbox format on television.
As HDTV and digital disk players enter the market, new terms will surface. Standard television will be referred to as 4:3. HDTV will use both 4:3 and 16:9 (1.78:1), a compromise between the US 1.85:1 and the European 1.66:1.
Click Here to return to the Projection Booth.
History of the Milford Drive-In Projection Booth Concession Stand Current Features Coming Attractions Frequently Asked Questions E-Mail List Changes Comments/Suggestions/Complaints Links to Other Sites
© 2002 by R. L. Shields Associates, Inc. - All rights reserved.