Aspect Ratios

A display's aspect ratio refers to the ratio between its width and height. For example, a 4:3 display produces an image that is more square, where a 16:9 ratio produces an image that is more panoramic in shape.

There most common projector aspect ratios are 4:3, 16:10 and 16:9.

Which is best for you? It depends what you plan to project. As always, your best bet is to match your display's aspect ratio with that of your source.

Business projector aspect ratios

Most people who use their projectors for presentations will find a 4:3 aspect ratio does the trick. This is the resolution of most laptops and computers. If you have a widescreen computer, a 16:10 might be a better choice.

Home theater aspect ratios

16:9 is the standard aspect ratio of Blu-ray discs and HDTV signals. It is the only widescreen aspect ratio natively supported by the DVD. Most home theater projectors employ this aspect ratio.

Can I watch 4:3 content on a 16:9 display?

Native Projector Aspect Ratios

Sure! However, you will see black bars on the top and bottom or along the sides of your image when viewing material that does not match the native resolution of your projector.