I recently ran into a scenario where a client questioned the formatting of a DVD they were provided. When I double-checked the DVD file structure for them, I noticed that it was indeed correctly authored. What I discovered, however, is that most people don’t ever think to page through all of the display options given to them by their electronic devices. Understanding those options as an end-user is critical because we now live in a world containing mixed video resolutions and aspect ratios.
See the chart below:
Aspect Ratio Conversions courtesy of Mikko Wilson (www.mikkowilson.com)
When a DVD is created the author of the disc has certain options they can select in order to properly format the content so that it displays correctly on your television screen. Those options are shown as the various formats labeled in the diagram above, beneath the arrows.
Most video footage is shot using one of two main aspect ratios: 4:3 or 16:9. Notice the difference and how one corresponds to the outline of the modern-day flat panel televisions you’re probably used to seeing while the other closely resembles the shape of yesterday’s television screens as a square. Most DVDs will probably be formatted to display 4:3 pictures with no change and 16:9 content with a “letterbox” treatment if inside of a 4:3 space. This is so that the image isn’t distorted. Think about what that would do to a person’s head if there was distortion (the head would become stretched and disproportionate).
Just like the way widescreen televisions let you select the default aspect ratio for your viewing pleasure, DVD players can have similar options, too. Sometimes these options override the directions sent to the device from the disc itself. If you want to ensure your content plays back the way it’s intended to be seen, always make sure that your TV is set to handle 16:9 imagery and that your DVD player is set to match (16:9). Then go into the DVD player’s advanced setup menu and also make sure that if there are options for how 4:3 footage is presented in a 16:9 space, that you select “normal” or “pillarbox” etc. Sometimes the default choice is “full” which will stretch the image to the full size of the widescreen display rather than maintain the 4:3 square space inside of the 16:9 monitor. And if you’re watching a TV station that decides to letterbox their 16:9 feed in a 4:3 space, that’s when you’ll want to use the “16:9 zoom” option to increase the size of the video so that it fills the screen, getting rid of the black bars around the perimeter on each side.
Master this concept and you’ll be well on your way to having a smarter viewing experience!
Likewise, content producers should pay attention to keeping text and any critical action within the center cut and zoom protection areas of the screen to ensure it’s visible to viewers no matter how they format their television screen.
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