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Aspect Ratio vs Resolution

3-4 minutes

Types

Original Aspect ratio (OAR) is the aspect ratio in which the film is originally
produced. This might be altered to be viewed in other modes, such as television.
Converting aspect ratios is possible only by enlarging the original image to filling
the area, along with cutting off the excess area, or by stretching the image to fill in
the area according to the new ratio.

Modified aspect ratio (MAR) is the aspect ratio assigned in order to fit a type of
screen, and different from the dimensions in which it is filmed.

The resolution of digital images can be described as pixel resolution, spatial

resolution, spectral resolution, temporal and radiometric resolution.

Pixel resolution defines the number of pixels used in digital imaging. Resolution
can be expressed as a horizontal x vertical measurement, in megapixels
(horizontal value multiplied by the vertical value, and divided by a million), or per
unit area.

Spatial resolution refers to how closely the columns (horizontal value) and rows
(vertical value) can be resolved in an image. It not only depends on just the
number of pixels but also on the system that creates the image.

Spectral resolution refers to the resolution of different color wavelengths in a

coloured image.

Temporal resolution refers to the resolution of events at different time points in

movie cameras.

Radiometric resolution is expressed in number of bits and defines the differences

in intensity in image files.
Current Standards

The common aspect ratios used are 1.33:1 (35mm silent films, television sets and
personal video cameras), 1.37:1 (35mm sound film between 1932 and 1953), 1.43:1
(IMAX format 70 mm wide film), 1.50:1 (used for still photography), 1.56:1 (used
in shooting commercials), 1.66:1 (invented by Paramount Pictures), 1.75:1 (used
by MGM and Warner Bros. between 1953 and 1955), 1.78:1 (used in high-
definition television), 1.85:1 (35mm standard for theatrical film), 2.00:1 (used by
American studios in the 1950s), 2.20:1 (70mm standard developed in the 1950s),
2.35:1 (used by Cinemascope and Panavision), 2.39:1 (35mm from 1970 onwards),
2.55:1 (original aspect ratio of Cinemascope), and other ratios.

The common monitor resolutions are 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768. The
other common resolutions used in other media are 350x240 (Video CD), 330x480
(VHS), 440x480 (analog broadcast), 720x480 (DVD), 1280x720 (Blu-ray, HCV),
10000x7000 (IMAX) etc.

Why are Aspect Ratio and Resolution important?

Aspect ratio is important when resizing images or videos so as to avoid distorting

them. It is also an important consideration while buying large screen LCDs and
Plasma TVs. The aspect ratio for these is 1.78, which is similar to that offered by
theaters, and thus attempt to give you the same experience.

Resolution is important when printing high quality images and graphics. More
resolution generally means more data and information. Most High definition
television and LCD have a fixed-pixel display, and this tells you the amount of
detail the monitor can display. A fixed-pixel display always coverts the source
material to fit its own resolution.

References

Wikipedia: Display resolution

Wikipedia: Aspect ratio (image)