7/25/2020 21:9 aspect ratio - Wikipedia

21:9 aspect ratio

21:9 ("Twenty One by Nine") is a consumer electronics (CE) marketing term to describe the ultrawide aspect ratio of 64:27 (2.370),
designed to show films recorded in CinemaScope and equivalent modern anamorphic formats. The main benefit of this screen aspect
ratio, compared to the more common 16:9, is the absence of the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when viewing content in
this format, and a constant display height when displaying other content with a lesser aspect ratio.

The 64:27 aspect ratio is an extension of the existing video aspect ratios 4:3 and 16:9, as it is the third power of 4:3, where 16:9 of
traditional HDTV is 4:3 squared. This allows electronic scalers and optical anamorphic lenses to use an easily implementable 4:3 (1.33)
scaling factor.

The term "21:9" was chosen as a marketing term, first used by Philips in January 2009.[1] Due to its common denominator, 21:9 is more
relatable to 16:9, the aspect ratio of regular HDTVs, rather than the correct 64:27 or 21 :9. If it actually were 21:9 (2.3), the fraction
could also be expressed in the reduced form as 7:3, relating to the 4:3 of standard-definition TVs.

As of 2017, this ratio is rarely used in TVs, due to it causing pillarboxing with standard 16:9 content.[2] It is still prevalent in projection
systems, and supported by a number of consumer electronics devices, including Blu-ray players and video scalers.

It has also started to appear in higher-end computer monitors, where the term "21:9" can represent aspect ratios of 43:18 and 12:5 in
addition to 64:27. The wider screen provides advantages in multitasking as well as a more immersive gaming experience.[3]

Contents
Constant image height
Motion Picture film formats and 21:9
Standardization
HDMI
Blu-ray
Streaming services
Consumer devices
Flat panel TV
Philips
Vizio
LG
Samsung
BOE
Front projection
Computer monitors
Smartphones
See also
References
External links

Constant image height

With content of different aspect ratios, adjustments have to be made when showing such content on a display with a fixed aspect ratio.
To avoid loss of content (due to cropping) or distortions (due to stretching), horizontal or vertical bars of a uniform color, usually black
to make them less noticeable, are added to adjust the image. With the black bars being unnoticed, this has the effect of a changing
image image size when switching content aspect ratios.

A 21:9 display allows to present all content up to 'Scope aspect ratios at equal height, with changing vertical bars to the left and right of
the image. Note how the large center circle, representing the main image area, remains at a constant size on the 21:9 display, while it
changes on the other two depending on the aspect ratio of the content.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio 1/6
7/25/2020 21:9 aspect ratio - Wikipedia

4:3 content 16:9 content 21:9 content

4:3
TV

16:9
TV

21:9
TV

Motion Picture film formats and 21:9

The "21:9" digital format's aspect ratio of approx. 2.37 is positioned between the classical CinemaScope aspect ratio (1678:715, approx.
2.35) and the aspect ratio of modern anamorphic cinematic content (1024:429, approx. 2.39), matching both with only a slight
deviation.

Standardization

HDMI

As of May 2013, video timings in this 64:27 aspect ratio are supported by the technical specification that defines video timings for the
HDMI interface, CTA 861-F:[4]

1280×720p, anamorphic pixel aspect ratio of 4:3

1680×720p, near-square pixel aspect ratio of 64:63
1920×1080p, anamorphic pixel aspect ratio of 4:3
2560×1080p, square pixel aspect ratio
3840×2160p, anamorphic pixel aspect ratio of 4:3

In November 2016, CTA (formerly CEA) published CTA-861-G[5] with these additional video timings in 64:27, as well as additional
frame rates (48 Hz, 100/120 Hz UHD):

5120×2160p, square pixel aspect ratio

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio 2/6
7/25/2020 21:9 aspect ratio - Wikipedia
7680×4320p, anamorphic pixel aspect ratio of 4:3
10240×4320p, square pixel aspect ratio

All of the above timings are supported at frame rates of 23.97, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60, 100, 119.88 and 120 Hz.

Blu-ray

There was an effort, led by Panamorph, to add support for anamorphic video in a 21:9 aspect ratio to the Full HD, 3-D and Ultra HD
Blu-ray specifications.[6][7] Eventually, this feature was not included in the final specification.[8][9] Given that Blu-ray Discs include the
letterboxing on the image, this effectively means widescreen movies will be shown in a 16:9 space, with black bars on top and bottom.
The company Folded Space, also initiated by Panamorph, was working on a proprietary solution, MFE,[10][11] to put anamorphic 21:9
video onto Blu-rays in a way compatible with standard players.

Advanced Blu-ray players, like the Oppo BDP-203/205, can be put into a 21:9 output mode.[12] In this mode, the player has the
capability to extract the 21:9 center portion of the movie content of a letterboxed disc, while re-arranging the 16:9 menus and subtitles
for 21:9.

Streaming services

Video streaming and download services use a proprietary technical infrastructure, and are not confined to the same strict rules about
frame aspect ratios as standardized distribution services (such as broadcast and optical discs). They therefore often encode content as
just the active frame, without any aspect ratio adjustment bars (letterbox or pillarbox bars). Movies with a 2.39 aspect ratio are a
natural match for 21:9 output video timings, as long as the streaming clients support such video modes, and even content with other
wide aspect ratios such as 2 and 2.2 are inherently maximizing the use of the output frame on such systems. Amazon Prime Video and
YouTube support ultrawide movies/videos, while Tubi TV does not. Netflix has now added support for ultrawide displays when viewing
via web browser for recent content.

Consumer devices

Flat panel TV

All Blu-ray Disc content with 1920 horizontal resolution has 1080 vertical resolution, though in the case of widescreen formats wider
than 16:9, the image appears on 16:9 displays with letterboxing. Philips' "Cinema 21:9" TV eliminates the black bars by scaling the 1920
horizontal resolution to its full width of 2560 and the 800+ pixels of CinemaScope images (actual pixel counts vary)[13][14] is scaled to
1080 with the black space cropped. The result is an image which fills the screen, but does not provide higher quality due to the use of
scaling.[15] Despite the intention being to fill the screen with a non-letterboxed image, the zoom mode can result in some cropping at
the edges.[16] Content with the full image at 1920×1080 can be displayed in the center of the screen with pillarboxing, and should the
viewer choose to not display CinemaScope content at full width, it appears windowboxed.

Philips

The Philips "Cinema 21:9" TV was the first LCD television of this aspect ratio.[17] The first model launched was a 56-inch screen size,
although it was no taller than a conventional 16:9 42-inch television. Models released in 2010 and 2011 had screen sizes of 50 and 58
inches.

Early reviews claimed that it was "one of the coolest TVs" to enter the market for some time.[16] This set was previewed in the UK in
advance of its release date of 18 June 2009. Pre-release launch events were held at numerous Philips retailers throughout June 2009.

The online advertising campaign surrounding the Cinema 21:9, titled Carousel, went on to win the most prestigious award in the
advertising industry, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.[18]

In 2012, Philips stopped production on all its 21:9 televisions due to lack of demand.[19]

Vizio

Vizio has since followed suit with their own Cinema TVs with identical resolution, similarly marketed as "21:9" in the United
States.[20][21]

The 58-inch TV with a panel resolution of 2560×1080 has been sold in 2012 and 2013, and has since been discontinued. A planned 50-
inch model never made it to market.

LG

LG has a number of monitors with panel resolutions of 2560x1080 (64:27), 3440x1440 (43:18), 3840x1600 (12:5) and 5120x2160
(64:27), the latest being advertised by LG as '5K2K' with a 21:9 aspect ratio.[22]

Other monitor manufacturers, such as Acer, AOC, Asus, BenQ, Dell[23], HP, Iiyama, Lenovo, MSI, NEC, Philips, Samsung and
Viewsonic, have since followed the suit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio 3/6
7/25/2020 21:9 aspect ratio - Wikipedia
At the CES 2014, LG presented the 105UC9,[24]
a 105-inch curved LCD TV with a 5120×2160 panel, one of the first two ultrawide 5K
screens. LG started selling the TV in early 2015 for approx. $100,000[25] in the U.S., the only ultrawide TV in the market that year.

Samsung

Also at CES 2014, Samsung presented a 105-inch curved LCD TV[26] with 5120×2160 resolution as well, the other first UW5K 21:9
screen.

BOE

Chinese panel manufacturer BOE presented an Ultra-Wide 10K 21:9 TV with a resolution of 10240x4320 (UW10K) at the 2015 Display
Week conference.[27]

Front projection

Wide screen projectors with a 16:9 aspect ratio can be converted to 21:9 by attaching a 4/3 horizontal stretch or vertical squeeze
anamorphic lens. This will optically scale standard projection images with e.g. 1920×1080 (FullHD) or 3840×2160 (UHD) to a 21:9
aspect ratio. These lenses are manufactured by optical companies like Isco and Zeiss, and provided to the home theater market by
companies such as Panamorph.[28]

DIY anamorphic lenses have been made with 2 or 4 triangular prisms.[29]

Besides projectors outfitted with anamorphic lenses, Digital Projection,[30] Projection Design[31] and Avielo[32] have released projectors
that utilise 2560x1080 pixels of a 2560×1440 DLP chip with a spherical lens.

Computer monitors

While not primarily intended for cinematic content, computer displays have also made use of this and other wide aspect ratios,
marketed as 21:9, to provide expanded desktop space. Common resolutions in the market are listed below:

Resolutions Aspect ratio

2560×1080, 5120×2160, 7680×3240, 10240×4320 64:27 2.370
3440×1440, 5160×2160, 6880×2880 43:18 2.38
1920×800, 2880×1200, 3840×1600, 4320×1800, 5760×2400, 7680×3200, 8640×3600 12:5 2.4

Smartphones

Note: Technically 21:9 smartphones do not exist because smartphone screens are vertical. However, rotating a smartphone 90 degrees
to landscape mode results in a horizontal ratio. 21:9 means that for 21 pixels in the horizontal axis, there are 9 in the vertical axis. 9:21,
which is the correct term for smartphones, is the opposite (21 vertical, 9 horizontal).

On February 25, 2019, Sony launched their latest flagship device, the Xperia 1, with the world's first
21:9 ultra-wide 4K HDR-enabled OLED (6.5") display in a smartphone. They have trademarked the
name CinemaWide for use in their latest ultra-wide Xperia devices.[33] It is not the first mobile
device to use a 21:9 aspect ratio display; that recognition belongs to the LG New Chocolate, released
in 2009. It has a 4" TFT display with a resolution of 345×800 pixels. The Samsung Galaxy Fold
smartphone/tablet folding hybrid, with its 4.6" Super AMOLED cover display, and the Xperia 10
and 10 Plus are among the first modern devices with ultra-wide displays. Motorola introduced two
21:9 smartphones in 2019, the One Vision in May[34] and the One Action in August,[35] both with a
6.3" FHD+ IPS LCD screen.
The LG New Chocolate (BL40) was
Note that both Motorola and Sony chose to use a screen resolution of 2520×1080, rather than the the first mobile device with a 21:9
CE resolution of 2560×1080, as defined in CTA-861. This leads to the device to have a "true" 21:9 aspect ratio, using a 4 inch TFT
(7:3) Aspect Ratio, rather than the normal CE aspect ratio of 64:27. The Xperia 1 also has an odd display.
aspect ratio of 320:137, and would have been able to meet 64:27 with a more even resolution of
3840×1620. Sony does not adhere to consumer standards, as with their home theater projectors
that feature a 4096×2160 4K resolution, rather than the CE resolution of 3840×2160.[36] 4096×2160 is a resolution only relevant in
digital cinema (DCI), where movie theater projectors feature this resolution with either letterboxed 4096×1716 or pillarboxed
3996×2160 content for "Scope" (2.39) and "Flat" (1.85) aspect ratios, respectively. The full panel aspect ratio of 256:135 is unfit for
normal consumer content with a 16:9 container aspect ratio.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio 4/6
7/25/2020 21:9 aspect ratio - Wikipedia

Pixel Screen-body Date

Device Display specs and resolution Notes
density ratio announced
LG New Chocolate August 3,
4.01 inch HVGA TFT LCD (345 × 800) 217 ppi 57.7%
(BL40) 2009
Samsung Galaxy 4.6 inch HD+ Super AMOLED (720 × February 20,
397 ppi 48.8% External display only
Fold 1680) 2019
Sony Xperia 1 6.5 inch 4K HDR OLED (1644 × 3840) 643 ppi 82%
6.0 inch Full HD+ IPS LCD (1080 ×
Sony Xperia 10 457 ppi 79.3% February 25,
2520)
2019
Sony Xperia 10 6.5 inch Full HD+ IPS LCD (1080 ×
422 ppi 81%
Plus 2520)
6.1 inch Full HD+ HDR OLED (1080 × September 5,
Sony Xperia 5 449 ppi 80.9%
2520) 2019
6.0 inch Full HD+ IPS LCD (1080 × October 7,
Sony Xperia 8 457 ppi 77.9%
2520) 2019
February 20,
Sony Xperia L4 6.2 inch HD+ IPS LCD (720 × 1680) 295 ppi 79.5%
2020
Sony Xperia 10 II 6.0 inch Full HD+ OLED (1080 × 2520) 457 ppi 77.6% February 24,
Sony Xperia 1 II 6.5 inch 4K HDR OLED (1644 × 3840) 643 ppi 84% 2020

Motorola One
May 15, 2019
Vision 6.3 inch Full HD+ LTPS IPS LCD (1080
435 ppi 82.5%
Motorola One × 2520) August 15,
Action 2019
6.7 inch Full HD+ HDR LTPS IPS LCD
Moto G 5G Plus 409 ppi 84.3% July 7, 2020 90 Hz refresh rate
(1080 × 2520)
Motorola Razr November 14,
6.2 inch HD+ P-OLED (876 × 2142) 373 ppi 70.2%
(2020) 2019 Internal display only, actual aspect ratio is
Samsung Galaxy Z 6.7 inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED February 11, closer to 22:9
425 ppi 82.5%
Flip (1080 × 2636) 2020

See also
Display aspect ratio
Ultrawide formats

References
1. "Cinematic Viewing Experience" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090118230419/http://cinematicviewingexperience.com/what-is-cine
ma.html). Archived from the original (http://cinematicviewingexperience.com/what-is-cinema.html) on 2009-01-18. Retrieved
2019-03-13.
2. Demers, Cedric; Azzabi, Mehdi (15 June 2017). "What is the Aspect Ratio?" (https://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/what-is-the-aspect-rati
o-4-3-16-9-21-9). Rtings.com. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
3. Simmons, Adam (14 April 2016). "The 21:9 (2560 x 1080) Experience" (https://pcmonitors.info/articles/the-219-2560-x-1080-experie
nce/). PCMonitors.info. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
4. "Research & Standards - DTV Interface" (https://www.cta.tech/Research-Standards/Standards.aspx?cat=DTVInterface&Page=1).
Retrieved 2019-07-16.
5. "A DTV Profile for Uncompressed High Speed Digital Interfaces (CTA-861-G)" (https://members.cta.tech/ctaPublicationDetails/?id=
11016f33-3422-e811-90ce-0003ff528c1a). Retrieved 2019-07-16.
6. "Anamorphic encoded Blu-Rays on the Horizon !" (https://www.avsforum.com/forum/117-2-35-1-constant-image-height-chat/143672
9-anamorphic-encoded-blu-rays-horizon.html#post22547410). 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
7. "Anamorphic encoded Blu-Rays on the Horizon !" (https://www.avsforum.com/forum/117-2-35-1-constant-image-height-chat/143672
9-anamorphic-encoded-blu-rays-horizon-5.html#post24246758). 2014-01-21. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
8. "Anamorphic encoded Blu-Rays on the Horizon !" (https://www.avsforum.com/forum/117-2-35-1-constant-image-height-chat/143672
9-anamorphic-encoded-blu-rays-horizon-5.html#post31293281). 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
9. Blu-ray Format Extension Video Characteristics (http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/img/avw/docs/683/374/dg11.jpg)
10. "Folded Space Announces Blu-ray Disc® Encoding Technology Providing up to 50% Greater Performance for Movies with
Panoramic Aspect Ratios" (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9512515.htm). 2012-05-17. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
11. "Folded Space – UltraWide Cinema by Panamorph" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150221215619/http://www.panamorph.com/fold
ed-space/). Archived from the original (http://www.panamorph.com/folded-space/) on 2015-02-21. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
12. "OPPO UDP-20X 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc Player Firmware Update" (https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-203/UDP203-firmware-
50-0817B.aspx). Retrieved 2019-03-13.
13. "Native 2.35 Projector Unveiled By avielo optix" (https://hometheaterreview.com/native-2351-projector-unveiled-by-avielo-optix).
Home Theater Review. Luxury Publishing Group. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
14. Hollington, Jesse (18 February 2008). "The Complete Guide to iTunes Movie Rentals, Part 2" (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/art
icles/comments/the-complete-guide-to-itunes-movie-rentals-part-2). iLounge. Retrieved 2019-02-02.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio 5/6
7/25/2020 21:9 aspect ratio - Wikipedia
15. Lheur, Vincent (3 July 2009). "Philips 56PFL9954H" (https://web.archive.org/web/20100723023041/http://www.digitalversus.com/phi
lips-56pfl9954h-p460_5513_53.html). DigitalVersus. Archived from the original (http://www.digitalversus.com/philips-56pfl9954h-p46
0_5513_53.html) on 2010-07-23.
16. "Philips Cinema 21:9 56PFL9954H review" (https://www.whathifi.com/philips/cinema-219-56pfl9954h/review). What Hi-Fi?. Future
Publishing. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
17. "Philips launches World's First Cinema Proportion Full HD 3D LED Pro TV with Ambilight" (https://archive.today/20130104093053/h
ttp://www.newscenter.philips.com/in_en/standard/about/news/press/pressrelease_2010-12-10_219ledpro_launch.wpd). Archived
from the original (http://www.newscenter.philips.com/in_en/standard/about/news/press/pressrelease_2010-12-10_219ledpro_launc
h.wpd) on 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
18. "Film Grand Prix for Carousel" (https://www.shots.net/news/article/65305/film-grand-prix-for-carousel). Shots. Media Business
Insight. 27 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
19. Goddard, Louis (28 August 2012). "Philips discontinuing super-wide Cinema 21:9 TVs due to lack of demand" (https://www.theverg
e.com/2012/8/28/3273716/philips-cinema-21-9-tvs-discontinued). The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
20. Miller, Paul (4 January 2011). "Vizio bringing 21:9 Cinema HDTV to CES with 2560 x 1080 resolution, all our hopes and dreams" (ht
tps://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/vizio-bringing-21-9-cinema-hdtv-to-ces-with-2560-x-1080-resoluti). Engadget. Verizon Media.
Retrieved 2019-02-02.
21. "VIZIO Unveils Ultra-Widescreen 21:9 Cinemawide HDTV LED LCDs for the Ultimate Cinematic Experience" (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20110717202831/http://www.vizio.com/news/VIZIOUnveilsUltraWidescreen219CinemawideHDTVLEDLCDsfortheUltimateCi
nematicExperience). Vizio. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original (http://www.vizio.com/news/VIZIOUnveilsUltraWidescreen21
9CinemawideHDTVLEDLCDsfortheUltimateCinematicExperience) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
22. "21:9 UltraWide® Monitors" (https://www.lg.com/us/ultrawide-monitors). LG. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
23. Muller, Sasha (19 February 2013). "Dell UltraSharp U2913WM review" (https://www.alphr.com/dell/dell-ultrasharp-u2913wm/32154/
dell-ultrasharp-u2913wm-review). Alphr. Dennis Publishing. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
24. Lai, Richard (18 December 2013). "LG's 105-inch, 21:9 curved UHD TV is wide enough to be a tanning bed" (https://www.engadget.
com/2013/12/18/lg-105-inch-curved-uhd-tv-105ub9). Engadget. Verizon Media. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
25. "LG 105UC9: 105 Class (104.6 Diagonal) UHD 4K Smart 3D Curved LED TV w/ webOS™" (https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-105UC9-l
ed-tv). LG USA. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
26. Lawler, Richard (19 December 2013). "Samsung has its own 105-inch, ultrawidescreen UHD TV to show at CES" (https://www.enga
dget.com/2013/12/19/samsung-105-inch-ultra-hd-ultrawide-lcd-ces). Engadget. Verizon Media. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
27. Larsen, Rasmus (5 June 2015). "TV with 10K resolution exhibited by Chinese BOE" (https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?suba
ction=showfull&id=1433489433). FlatpanelsHD. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
28. "Panamorph UltraWide Home Theater Projector Lenses" (https://www.panamorph.com/home-theater-lens-systems/). Retrieved
2019-07-16.
29. AVS Forum: Just got my French Prisms (https://www.avsforum.com/forum/174-diy-constant-height/889863-just-got-my-french-prism
s.html)
30. "dVision Scope 1080p" (https://web.archive.org/web/20130607124458/http://www.digitalprojection.com/ProjectorDetail/tabid/87/Proj
ectorId/222/Default.aspx). Digital Projection. Archived from the original (http://www.digitalprojection.com/ProjectorDetail/tabid/87/Pr
ojectorId/222/Default.aspx) on 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
31. "F35 series" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110609075732/http://www.projectiondesign.com/products/f35-series). Projection
Design. Archived from the original (http://www.projectiondesign.com/products/f35-series) on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
32. "optix superWide235" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110304162057/http://www.avielo.com/product-optix-superwide235.html).
Avielo. Archived from the original (http://www.avielo.com/product-optix-superwide235.html) on 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
33. Ricky (6 February 2019). "Sony trademarks "CinemaWide" display for Xperia XZ4" (https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_trademarks_c
inemawide_display_for_xperia_xz4-news-35403.php). GSMArena.
34. Welch, Chris (15 May 2019). "The Motorola One Vision has a 21:9 screen and looks less like an iPhone clone" (https://www.theverg
e.com/2019/5/15/18624750/motorola-one-vision-announced-pricing-specs-features). The Verge. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
35. "The Motorola One Action unveiled with an ultrawide camera, 21:9 screen" (https://www.gsmarena.com/the_motorola_one_action_
unveiled_with_an_wideangle_camera_219_screen-news-38711.php). GSMArena. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
36. "Home Theater Projectors" (https://www.sony.com/electronics/home-cinema-projectors/t/home-cinema-projectors).

External links
Philips UK (http://www.philips.co.uk)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=21:9_aspect_ratio&oldid=968448173"

This page was last edited on 19 July 2020, at 13:14 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21:9_aspect_ratio 6/6