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Aspect Ratios
Get that Widescreen Feeling
The widescreen wave has hit big on the shores of the USA. From home theater projectors to LCD TVs, just about any home display device now has a widescreen option. So if you don't already have a widescreen display, is it a good idea to invest in one or should you go with the trusted 4:3 display? Home Theater People investigates.
What is a native aspect ratio and why does it matter?
In case you aren't familiar with the term, "aspect ratio" means the number of units wide by the number of units high of your display. A 4:3 display produces an image that is more square, and a 16:9 ratio produces an image that is more panoramic in shape.
There are currently two commonly manufactured native aspect ratios available for fixed display devices like DLP and LCD projectors, and Flat Panel TVs. Those two aspect ratios are 4:3 format (like the televisions and monitors most of us use) and 16:9 (also known as widescreen) format.
There are also two different broadcast standards for television (16:9 format HDTV and 4:3 format NTSC) in the United States. DVD media also comes in both widescreen and standard output options. Therefore, there isn't one obvious native resolution solution.
So how do I watch everything I want on a 4:3 or 16:9 projector or LCD TV?
Unless you limit the type of material to one aspect ratio or the other, there has to be a tradeoff with either the 4:3 or the 16:9 options.
The good news is that the tradeoff doesn't mean you can't watch what you want. It simply means you will see black bars on the top and bottom or along the sides of your image when viewing material that does not match the native resolution of your LCD TV or projector. But based on the type of entertainment you watch most frequently, you can make an informed decision about which is best for you.
Which aspect ratio is best for you?
For business uses such as PowerPoint™ presentations and viewing spreadsheets, 4:3 displays are still your best bet. You will still be able to take your projector home and watch movies on the weekends.
If you are looking for a display for home theater, consider what you watch most often. The chart below outlines some general guidelines based on your viewing habits.
| Video Source | 4:3 aspect ratio | 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Will your new display replace your current television? | If so, you may want to select a 4:3 display to remain consistent with your current viewing habits, particularly if your neighborhood does not currently have access to HDTV broadcasts. You will still be able to enjoy widescreen DVDs, and HDTV broadcasts when they become available. | If you have HDTV signals available in your area and you plan to upgrade to an HDTV receiver in the near future, a 16:9 LCD or DLP™ projector is a great choice for you. |
| Will your new display become a part of a dedicated home theater? | If so, and you typically watch VHS video tapes or DVDs in standard format, 4:3 is still a great choice for you. You can still enjoy widescreen DVDs when desired. | If so, and you want to watch primarily widescreen DVDs and HDTV movie broadcasts, 16:9 is the right choice for you. |
| Do you currently have HDTV signals available in your neighborhood? | If not, look into when these broadcasts may become available to you. All US television stations are slated to offer HDTV programming by the year 2006, and many are already broadcasting HDTV to those with HDTV tuners. | If so, consider the amount of HDTV broadcasting you want to watch. If you live for weekend football and you can watch the broadcast in HDTV, a 16:9 projector is exactly what you want. But don't tell the neighbors or you might have unexpected company for the next game. |
| Advantages of each display format. | Whether from computers, standard NTSC TV broadcasts, video games, VHS and DVD movies, 4:3 broadcast content is available in abundance today. You can count on 4:3 content being around for years to come. | Widescreen images, particularly high-definition, look phenomenal. The technology has become standardized, broadcasters have been given a federal mandate to make HDTV available, and the prices are becoming accessible to the average consumer. |
| Recommended applications for each display format. |
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Use our search by feature page to find a projector with native widescreen, or 4:3 resolution.