Aspect Ratio

This is the shape of the picture on a TV screen measured as the ratio of horizontal to vertical size (width: height). A normal TV is around 4:3, wide screen is around 16:9. The majority of film lovers prefer the picture to match that of the theatrical showing - as this is the ratio the director of the film intended it to be viewed. Some 1.33:1 transfers are what are known as full frame or open matte - this means that instead of using the Pan and Scan process, the picture has been opened up at the top and bottom to display more picture.