Here's the reason DVD movies still have black borders on your widescreen laptop

[MDesigner]

It took me a while to figure this out. The widescreen laptops are 1.6:1 aspect ratio. DVD movies are either 1.85:1 or 2.35:1. So the 1.85:1 will have just very tiny borders on the top/bottom, and the 2.35:1 will have bigger borders.

At least I think that's how it works. Let's see.. assume a 1024x768 resolution. 1024 / 768 = 1.333~. Full-screen DVD movies are 4:3.. and 4 / 3 = 1.333~ as well. The part I don't quite get: 16:9 widescreen. 16 / 9 = 1.777~. But the aspect ratios on the back of the DVD box say either 1.85:1 or 2.35:1, which isn't quite 1.77:1. So, do you get borders even on widescreen televisions?

Hm..

 

[MDE]

DVDs are 16:9, laptop widescreens are 16:10.

 

[MDesigner]

DVDs are 16:9? Cuz that would imply that they're 1.777~ aspect ratio.. when in fact there are two common aspect ratios for letterbox movies, 1.85:1 and 2.35:1.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

You just figured this out now? Are you new to movies? 😕

- M4H

 

[MDesigner]

M4H: WHUT IS A DVD???!?!!! 🙂

No I'm not. I just never really paid attention to aspect ratios. I just popped in the thing and watched it (on my TV). This is the first time I've owned any kind of widescreen display.

 

[whistleclient]

some movies actually have multiple aspect ratios-- as Galaxy Quest did. As the movie progresses from the fake tv show to becoming more and more real the aspect ratio gets wider. at least it did in the theater, not sure if this made it to the dvd...

 

[Accord99]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
DVDs are 16:9? Cuz that would imply that they're 1.777~ aspect ratio.. when in fact there are two common aspect ratios for letterbox movies, 1.85:1 and 2.35:1.

Yes, you are correct. Even widescreen TVs will show some black border because few movies utilize a 1.78 AR.