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Originally Posted by moby22
. . . the aspect ratio of regular TV is usually 4:3 and for movies to be displayed, the right and left sides usually had to be chopped off considerably, cutting down the viewing area from the film; (you know, that is where you get that message that the film has been formatted to fit your screen).
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The aspect ratio of "regular TV" is always 4:3.
For wide format movies to be displayed;
either the sides were chopped off
or black bars were placed at the top and bottom of the screen creating a "letterbox" view of the content.
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Well, while some screens in theatres have been cut down in size, a typical aspect ratio for film is 20:8.
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Curious, where did the 20:8 come from? That would be an aspect ratio of 2.5:1.
I can find no reference to any film material at that aspect ratio, and even if it exist, it is certainly not
"typical" for film.
Since the 1950, two primary standards have been used for most movie production:
Basic Widescreen: Has an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (most common)
Scope Widescreen: Has an aspect ration of 2.35:1 (less common)
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HDTV allows the complete, unchopped viewing of either film or a TV show (ie: 20:8 or 4:3) to be displayed on the screen with reasonable resolution. Just with 20:8 you will get bars at the top and bottom of the screen, with 4:3 you will get bars on the right and left sides of the screen.
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HDTV allows "complete, unchopped viewing . . ." on a 16:9 (1.78:1) HDTV, given the following conditions:
Original 4:3 material: bars will be placed on the sides. (pillar box)
Original 1.85:1 material: will display "full screen"
Original 2.35:1 material: will display with bars on the top and bottom (letter box)
However, depending on how the original material is "formated for television" it is not uncommon for some content to appear with bars on both sides as well as top and bottom (window box).