6
Choosing the aspect ratio
Aspect ratio is the ratio of the image width to image height. HDTV and
most DVDs are 16:9, which is the default for this projector. When in 4:3
mode the projector places black bars on both sides of the image. Native
mode centers the image and turns off the internal scaler so that any resolu-
tion larger than the native projector resolution is cropped on the edges. Let-
terbox expands the image to fill the screen.
What you plan to project will also help you choose between 4:3 and 16:9. For
example, most TV shows are 4:3, while most movies are 16:9. If you have a
16:9 screen, then you should select an aspect ratio of 16:9 for anamorphic
movies and HDTV, and Native for 4:3 content. If you have a 4:3 screen you
should still use 16:9 for anamorphic movies or HDTV, but you also have the
option of using 4:3, Native, or Natural Wide for 4:3 content. Keep in mind
that anamorphic movies only appear correctly if the DVD player is set to
output to a 16:9 television. Natural Wide stretches a 4:3 image to fill the
entire 16:9 screen. The center two-thirds of the image is unchanged; the
edges of the image are stretched.
16
16
9
9
16:9 image input
16:9 image
16:9
aspect ratio
16
9
4
3
4:3 image input 4:3 image on 16:9 screen
black bars
black bars
4:3 aspect ratio
16
9
letterbox image input
16:9 image fills 16:9 screen
black bars
black bars
4
3
letterbox
aspect ratio
4:3 image fills 16:9 screen
natural wide
aspect ratio
4:3 image input
4
3
16
9