Although this section might not be as valuable as it was back in the days of 4:3 TVs, I've decided to keep it and update it with some newer examples. It's important to preserve this information not only for historical reasons but also because some content is still broadcast in the wrong aspect ratio, although this is not nearly as common as it was in the past.


Academy Ratio (1.37:1)

Original frame
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine © 1993-1999 Paramount
'Deep Space Nine' original 4:3 frame
Properly shown on a 16:9 TV
'Deep Space Nine' properly shown on 16:9 TV
Improperly shown in stretch-o-vision on 16:9 TV
'Deep Space Nine' improperly shown stretched on 16:9 TV

16:9 or 1.77:1

Original frame (was not filmed in open matte)
Memphis Belle © 1990 Warner Bros. and Enigma Productions 'Memphis Belle' is its original 1.77:1 AR
Properly shown on a 4:3 TV

'Memphis Belle' properly shown on 4:3 TV
Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 4:3 TV
24.8% of the image is lost
'Memphis Belle' improperly shown on 4:3 TV

2:1 Panavision (anamorphic) - Example for The Dark Crystal

Original frame © 1982 The Jim Henson Company
'The Dark Crystal' in original 2-to-1 aspect ratio
Properly shown on a 4:3 TV
'The Dark Crystal' properly shown on a 4:3 TV
Properly shown on a 16:9 TV
'The Dark Crystal' properly shown on a 16:9 TV

  Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 4:3 TV
33.5% of the image is lost
'The Dark Crystal' improperly shown on a 4:3 TV
Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 16:9 TV
11.5% of the image is lost
'The Dark Crystal' improperly shown on a 16:9 TV

"Scope" (2.35:1 and 2.39:1) - Example for Star Wars

Original frame © 1977 20th Century Fox.
'Star Wars' original 2.39:1 frame
Properly shown on a 4:3 TV
'Star Wars' properly shown on a 4:3 TV
Properly shown on a 16:9 TV
'Star Wars' properly shown on a 16:9 TV

  Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 4:3 TV
44.3% of the image is lost
'Star Wars' improperly shown on a 4:3 TV
Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 16:9 TV
25.9% of the image is lost
'Star Wars' improperly shown on a 16:9 TV

Cinerama (2.59:1) - Example for How The West Was Won

Original frame © 1962 MGM
'How The West Was Won' in its correct aspect ratio
Properly shown on a 4:3 TV
'How The West Was Won' 4:3 letterboxed
Properly shown on a 16:9 TV
'How The West Was Won' 16:9 letterbox

Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 4:3 TV
48.6% of the image is lost
'How The West Was Won' in pan-and-scan on 4:3 TV
Improperly shown in pan-and-scan on 16:9 TV
31.6% of the image is lost
'How The West Was Won' in pan-and-scan on 16:9 TV