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<h2 id="historic-ultrawide-cinema">Historic Ultrawide Cinema</h2> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/List_of_motion_picture_film_formats/e2eCVqLg">List of motion picture film formats</a></p> <p>Historically ultrawide movie formats have varied between ~2.35 (1678:715), ~2.39 (1024:429) and 2.4. To complicate matters further, films were also produced in following ratios: 2.55, 2.76 and 4. Developed by Rowe E. Carney Jr. and Tom F. Smith, the Smith-Carney System used a 3 camera system, with 4.6945 (1737:370) ratio, to project movies in 180°.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> Disney even created a 6.85 ratio, using 5 projectors to display 200°. The only movie filmed in Disney's 6.85 ratio is <i><a href="/facts/Impressions_de_France/hvMFsvEx">Impressions de France</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="wide-aspect-ratios">Wide aspect ratios</h2> <p>Suggested by Kerns H. Powers of <a href="/facts/Society_of_Motion_Picture_and_Television_Engineers/lwCdWynu">SMPTE</a> in USA, the <a href="/facts/16%3a9_aspect_ratio/rS5YUsQd">16:9 aspect ratio</a> was developed to unify all other aspect ratios. Subsequently it became the universal standard for <i><a href="/facts/Widescreen/SpJ8gcnV">widescreen</a></i> and <a href="/facts/High-definition_television/AuE6FRFI">high-definition television</a>. </p><p>Around 2007, cameras and non-television screens began to switch from <a href="/facts/15%3a9_aspect_ratio/I3vbqVl3">15:9 (5:3)</a> and <a href="/facts/16%3a10_aspect_ratio/kkVt09pR">16:10 (8:5)</a> to 16:9 resolutions. </p> <h2 id="extra-wide-aspect-ratios">Extra-wide aspect ratios</h2> <p><a href="/facts/Univisium/q1yg8MzB">Univisium</a> is an aspect ratio of 2:1, created by <a href="/facts/Vittorio_Storaro/9qFPLb58">Vittorio Storaro</a> of the <a href="/facts/American_Society_of_Cinematographers/9uTveHMx">American Society of Cinematographers</a> (ASC) originally intended to unify all other aspect ratios used in movies. </p><p>It is popular on smartphones and cheap VR displays. VR displays halve the screen into two, one for each eye. So a 2:1 VR screen would be halved into two 1:1 screens. Smartphones began moving to this aspect ratio since late 2010s with the release of <a href="/facts/Samsung_Galaxy_S8/kJWhtaJv">Samsung Galaxy S8</a>, advertised as 18:9. </p> <h2 id="ultra-wide-aspect-ratios">Ultra-wide aspect ratios</h2> <p><a href="/facts/21%3a9_aspect_ratio/6lTb1g4D">21:9</a> is a <a href="/facts/Consumer_electronics/cJ8g9NXh">consumer electronics</a> (CE) marketing term to describe the ultra-widescreen aspect ratio of 64:27 (211⁄3:9) = 1024:432 for multiples of 1080 lines. It is used for multiple <a href="/facts/Anamorphic_format/NSvItxkB">anamorphic formats</a> and <a href="/facts/Digital_Cinema_Initiatives/p2mpyz0w">DCI</a> 1024:429 (21.482517:9), but also for ultrawide computer monitors, including 43:18 (211⁄2:9) for resolutions based on 720 lines and 12:5 (213⁄5:9) for ultrawide variants of resolutions based either on 960 pixels width or 900 lines height. </p><p>The 64:27 aspect ratio is the logical extension of the existing video aspect ratios 4:3 and 16:9. It is the third power of 4:3, whereas 16:9 of widescreen HDTV is 4:3 squared. This allows electronic scalers and optical anamorphic lenses to use an easily implementable 4:3 (1.33) scaling factor. </p><p> 4 3 ⋅ 4 3 ⋅ 4 3 = 64 27 {\displaystyle {\tfrac {4}{3}}\cdot {\tfrac {4}{3}}\cdot {\tfrac {4}{3}}={\tfrac {64}{27}}} </p><p>21:9 movies usually refers to 1024:429 ≈ 2.387, the aspect ratio of digital ultrawide cinema formats, which is often rounded up to 2.39:1 or 2.4:1 </p><p>Ultrawide resolution can also be described by its height, such as "UW 1080" and "1080p ultrawide" both stands for the same 2560×1080 resolution. </p> Ultra-wide (UW) resolutions<table><tbody><tr><th>common name</th><th>aspect ratio</th><th>resolution</th></tr><tr><td>WFHD</td><td>64∶27</td><td>2560×1080</td></tr><tr><td>WFHD+</td><td>12∶5</td><td>2880×1200</td></tr><tr><td>WQHD</td><td>43∶18</td><td>3440×1440</td></tr><tr><td>WQHD+</td><td>12∶5</td><td>3840×1600</td></tr><tr><td>UW4K</td><td>12∶5</td><td>4320×1800</td></tr><tr><td>UW5K (WUHD)</td><td>64∶27</td><td>5120×2160</td></tr><tr><td>UW5K+</td><td>12∶5</td><td>5760×2400</td></tr><tr><td>UW6K</td><td>12∶5</td><td>6144×2560</td></tr><tr><td>UW6K+</td><td>43∶18</td><td>6880×2880</td></tr><tr><td>UW7K</td><td>12∶5</td><td>7680×3200</td></tr><tr><td>UW8K</td><td>12∶5</td><td>8640×3600</td></tr><tr><td>UW10K</td><td>64∶27</td><td>10240×4320</td></tr></tbody></table> Ultra-wide (UW) aspect ratios<table><tbody><tr><th>decimal</th><th>simple</th><th>n∶9</th></tr><tr><td>2.370</td><td>64∶27</td><td>211⁄3∶9</td></tr><tr><td>2.38</td><td>43∶18</td><td>211⁄2∶9</td></tr><tr><td>2.4</td><td>12∶5</td><td>213⁄5∶9</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="super-wide-aspect-ratios">Super-wide aspect ratios </h2> <p>In 2016, IMAX announced the release of films in Ultra-WideScreen 3.6 format,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> with an aspect ratio of 18:5 (36:10).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> A year later, Samsung and Phillips announced 'super ultra-wide displays', with aspect ratio of 32:9, for "iMax-style cinematic viewing".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> Panacast developed a 32:9 webcam with three integrated cameras giving 180° view, and resolution matching upcoming 5K 32:9 monitors, 5120x1440.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> In 2018 Q4, Dell released the U4919DW, a 5K 32:9 monitor with a resolution of 5120x1440, and Phillips announced the 499P9H with the same resolution. 32:9 Ultrawide monitors are often sold as an alternative to dual 16:9 monitor setups and for more inmersive experiences while playing videogames, and many are capable of displaying 2 16:9 inputs at the same time. </p><p>32:9 aspect ratio is derived from 16:9 being twice as large. Some manufacturers therefore refer to the resulting total display resolution with a D prefix for <i>dual</i> or <i>double</i>. </p><p>Super wide resolutions refers to that with aspect ratio greater than 3. </p> Super-wide (SW) resolutions<table><tbody><tr><th>common name</th><th>aspect ratio</th><th>resolution</th></tr><tr><td>DWXGA+</td><td>16∶5</td><td>2880×900</td></tr><tr><td>DFHD</td><td>32∶9</td><td>3840×1080</td></tr><tr><td>DFHD+</td><td>16∶5</td><td>3840×1200</td></tr><tr><td>SWFHD+</td><td>18∶5</td><td>4320×1200</td></tr><tr><td>DQHD</td><td>32∶9</td><td>5120×1440</td></tr><tr><td>DQHD+</td><td>16∶5</td><td>5120×1600</td></tr><tr><td>SWQHD+</td><td>18∶5</td><td>5760×1600</td></tr><tr><td>16:5 5K</td><td>16∶5</td><td>5760×1800</td></tr><tr><td>32:9 6K</td><td>32∶9</td><td>6400×1800</td></tr><tr><td>18:5 6K</td><td>18∶5</td><td>6480×1800</td></tr><tr><td>DUHD</td><td>32∶9</td><td>7680×2160</td></tr><tr><td>DUHD+</td><td>16∶5</td><td>7680×2400</td></tr><tr><td>18:5 8K</td><td>18∶5</td><td>8640×2400</td></tr></tbody></table> Super-wide (SW) aspect ratios<table><tbody><tr><th>decimal</th><th>simple</th><th>n:9</th></tr><tr><td>3.2</td><td>16∶5</td><td>28+4⁄5∶9</td></tr><tr><td>3.5</td><td>32∶9</td><td>32∶9</td></tr><tr><td>3.6</td><td>18∶5</td><td>32+2⁄5∶9</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Ultra-WideScreen 3.6 video never spread, as cinemas in an even wider ScreenX 270° format were released.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="41-369">4:1 (36:9)</h2> <p><a href="/facts/Abel_Gance/IygHbuph">Abel Gance</a> experimented with ultrawide formats including making a film in 4:1 (36:9). He made a rare use of <a href="/facts/Polyvision/KbvBhnkP">Polyvision</a>, three 35 mm 1.3 images projected side by side in the 1927 film <i><a href="/facts/Napol%25C3%25A9on_(1927_film)/cXeVQUu9">Napoléon</a></i>. </p><p>AT NAB 2019, <a href="/facts/Sony/7x4tCtBd">Sony</a> introduced a 19.2-metre-wide by 5.4-metre-tall commercial 16K display.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> It is made up of 576 modules (48 by 12) each 360 pixels across, resulting in a 4:1, 17280x4320p screen. </p> <h2 id="multi-screen-theaters">Multi-Screen Theaters</h2> <p>Developed by <a href="/facts/CJ_CGV/ztzWW3vL">CJ CGV</a> in 2012, <a href="/facts/ScreenX/SDdA1h3p">ScreenX</a> uses three (or more) projectors to display 270° content,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> with an unknown aspect ratio above 4. Walls on both sides of a ScreenX theatre are used as projector screens. </p><p>Developed by <a href="/facts/Barco_N.V./M8GECmST">Barco N.V.</a> in 2015, <a href="/facts/Barco_Escape/Jz4lAVN5">Barco Escape</a> used three projectors of 2.39 ratio to display 270° content, with an aspect ratio of 7.17. The two side screens were angled at 45 degree in order to cover peripheral vision. Barco Escape shut down in February 2018. </p> <h2 id="comparison">Comparison</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th>Decimal value</th><th>Aspect ratio</th><th>Format name</th><th>Resolutions</th><th>Lens & Film</th></tr><tr><td>1.185</td><td>32:27</td><td>DVCPRO HD</td><td>640×540, 1280×1080</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>1.25</td><td>5:4</td><td>DV PAL</td><td>720×576, 1280×1024, 1500×1200</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>1.3</td><td>4:3</td><td>Video Graphics Array</td><td>320×240, 480×360, 512×384, 576×432, 640×480, 704×528, 720×540, 800×600, 960×720, 1000×750, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×960, 1440×1080, 1600×1200</td><td>SDTV</td></tr><tr><td>1.5</td><td>3:2</td><td>DV NTSC / laptops</td><td>720×480, 1920×1280, 2160×1440, 2256×1504, 2400×1600, 3000×2000</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>1.6</td><td>8:5</td><td>16:10 widescreen (PC only)</td><td>1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600, 2880×1800, 3072×1920, 3840×2400</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>1.6</td><td>5:3</td><td>European Widescreen</td><td>400×240, 800×480, 1280×768</td><td>Super 16 mm</td></tr><tr><td>1.7</td><td>16:9</td><td>Widescreen</td><td>1920×1080, 2560×1440, 3840×2160, 7680×4320</td><td>Anamorphic 1.5x on 32:27, HDTV</td></tr><tr><td>1.618</td><td>16:10</td><td>16:10 Tallboy</td><td>640×400, 960×600, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600, 3840×2400</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>1.85</td><td>37:20</td><td>"Flat" <a href="/facts/Digital_Cinema_Initiatives/p2mpyz0w">DCI</a></td><td>2000×1080, 4000×2160</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>1.8962</td><td>256:135</td><td>"Full" <a href="/facts/Digital_Cinema_Initiatives/p2mpyz0w">DCI</a></td><td>2048×1080, 4096×2160</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>2.0</td><td>2:1</td><td>VistaVision / Univisium</td><td>2160×1080, 2400×1200, 2880×1440, 3200×1600, 3600×1800, 3840×1920, 4320×2160, 4800×2400, 5760×2880</td><td>VR cameras (most)</td></tr><tr><td>2.3468531</td><td>1678:715<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></td><td>Cinemascope (1950s–1970s)</td><td>analog</td><td>Anamorphic 2x on 35 mm with optical audio</td></tr><tr><td>2.370</td><td>64:27</td><td>"21:9" ultrawide</td><td>2560×1080, 5120×2160, 7680×3240, 10240×4320</td><td>Dashcam, Anamorphic 1.33x on 16:9, 1.25x on <a href="/facts/Digital_Cinema_Initiatives/p2mpyz0w">DCI</a> 256:135, 2x on 32:27</td></tr><tr><td>2.386946</td><td>1024:429</td><td>"Scope" <a href="/facts/Digital_Cinema_Initiatives/p2mpyz0w">DCI</a> cinema format</td><td>2048×858, 4096×1716, 8192×3432</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>2.38</td><td>43:18</td><td>"21:9" ultrawide (PC only)</td><td>3440×1440, 5160×2160, 6880×2880</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>2.4</td><td>12:5</td><td>24:10 ultrawide</td><td>2880×1200, 3840×1600, 4320×1800, 5760×2400, 6144×2560, 7680×3200</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>2.55</td><td>51:20</td><td>Cinemascope 55</td><td>analog</td><td>Anamorphic 2x on 35 mm without optical audio</td></tr><tr><td>2.6</td><td>8:3</td><td>Cinerama / 24:9 ultrawide (PC only)</td><td>1280×480, 2880×1080, 3840×1440, 5120×1920, 5760×2160, 7680×2880, 10240×3840</td><td>2х</td></tr><tr><td>2.76</td><td>69:25</td><td>Ultra Panavision</td><td>analog</td><td>Anamorphic 1.25x on 70 mm</td></tr><tr><td>3.2</td><td>16:5</td><td>32:10 super wide (PC only)</td><td>2880×900, 3840×1200, 5120×1600, 5760×1800, 7680×2400, 10240×3200</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>3.5</td><td>32:9</td><td>32:9 super wide (PC only)</td><td>3840×1080, 5120×1440, 7680×2160, 10240×2880</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>3.6</td><td>18:5</td><td>36:10 super wide (ultra-widescreen 3.6)</td><td>4320×1200, 5760×1600, 6480×1800, 8640×2400</td><td>1x</td></tr><tr><td>4.0</td><td>4:1</td><td>Polyvision</td><td>analog / 3 images 4:3 projected side by side</td><td>3x</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/14%3a9_aspect_ratio/dnjGRumL">14:9 aspect ratio</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Display_resolution_standards/zyMA9HHI">Display resolution standards</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Angle_of_view_(photography)/QPjsVG1T">Angle of view</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Field_of_view_in_video_games/k7mdAClD">Field of view in video games</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Dot_pitch/G6h5eyK4">Dot pitch</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Pixel_density/0UbaSzsw">Pixel density</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>A History of Widescreen and Wide-Film Projection Processes <a href="http://www.in70mm.com/news/2010/widescreen/" target="_blank">http://www.in70mm.com/news/2010/widescreen/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>All About Ultrawide Monitors, the Latest Trend in Gaming and Productivity <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/245935/all-about-ultrawide-monitors-the-latest-trend-in-gaming-and-productivity/" target="_blank">https://www.howtogeek.com/245935/all-about-ultrawide-monitors-the-latest-trend-in-gaming-and-productivity/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>p20, Sherlock, Daniel J. "Wide Screen Movies" Corrections, 1994–2004 <a href="https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080309094629/http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/tips/WSMC20.pdf" target="_blank">https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080309094629/http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/tips/WSMC20.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Red Camera: Anamorphic lens intro <a href="http://www.red.com/learn/red-101/anamorphic-lenses" target="_blank">http://www.red.com/learn/red-101/anamorphic-lenses</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Smith-Carney System <a href="http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/smith-carney.htm" target="_blank">http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/smith-carney.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>p20, Sherlock, Daniel J. "Wide Screen Movies" Corrections, 1994–2004 <a href="https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080309094629/http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/tips/WSMC20.pdf" target="_blank">https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080309094629/http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/tips/WSMC20.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience in Ultra-Widescreen". IMAX.com. Dec 7, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2018. <a href="https://www.imax.com/news/voyage-time-imax-experience-ultra-widescreen" target="_blank">https://www.imax.com/news/voyage-time-imax-experience-ultra-widescreen</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Kristopher Tapley (Dec 5, 2016). "'Ultra Widescreen' Version of Terrence Malick's 'Voyage of Time' Set for Release". variety.com. Retrieved April 27, 2018. <a href="https://variety.com/2016/film/in-contention/terrence-malick-ultra-wide-voyage-of-time-re-release-1201933834/" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2016/film/in-contention/terrence-malick-ultra-wide-voyage-of-time-re-release-1201933834/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>super ultra-wide -Samsung News <a href="https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-to-launch-worlds-largest-qled-gaming-monitor-at-gamescom-2017" target="_blank">https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-to-launch-worlds-largest-qled-gaming-monitor-at-gamescom-2017</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Panacast <a href="https://www.vrfocus.com/2017/12/altia-systems-launches-new-panoramic-camera/" target="_blank">https://www.vrfocus.com/2017/12/altia-systems-launches-new-panoramic-camera/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Introducing Screen X, Cinema in 270 Degrees <a href="https://filmmakermagazine.com/76652-introducing-screen-x-cinema-in-270-degrees/" target="_blank">https://filmmakermagazine.com/76652-introducing-screen-x-cinema-in-270-degrees/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Waniata, Ryan (2019-04-10). "Sony's massive new MicroLED display stands 17 feet tall and packs 16K resolution". Digital Trends. Retrieved 2019-10-17. <a href="https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/sonys-massive-new-microled-display-stands-17-feet-tall-and-packs-16k-resolution/" target="_blank">https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/sonys-massive-new-microled-display-stands-17-feet-tall-and-packs-16k-resolution/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Dent, Steve (2019-09-13). "Sony's Crystal cinema display supports 16K, but could cost millions". Engadget. Retrieved 2019-12-18. <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/13/sony-crystal-cinema-16k-home-theater/" target="_blank">https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/13/sony-crystal-cinema-16k-home-theater/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Introducing Screen X, Cinema in 270 Degrees <a href="https://filmmakermagazine.com/76652-introducing-screen-x-cinema-in-270-degrees/" target="_blank">https://filmmakermagazine.com/76652-introducing-screen-x-cinema-in-270-degrees/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Wide Screen Apertures and Aspect Ratios". The American WideScreen Museum. October 17, 2000. Retrieved November 2, 2018. <a href="http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/apertures.htm" target="_blank">http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/apertures.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>